What size TV
do I need?
Picking the right TV size is trickier than it looks. Too small and you'll find yourself squinting from the sofa, wishing you'd been bolder. Too large and it can overwhelm the room or spark a debate with whoever shares your living space. Add in awkward alcoves, unusual room layouts, and the sheer range of sizes on offer, and it's easy to see why so many people second-guess themselves. We’ve put together our expert tips on how to work out the best size TV for your space, so you can choose the perfect TV for you.
TV Sizes: Quick Takeaways
● Bigger than you think: Larger screens deliver a more immersive, cinematic feel.
● Match size to distance: Sit at roughly 1.2× your screen size for the best viewing experience (e.g., 2.3m for 75").
● Room‑led choices: 75"+ for home cinema, 55–65" for family living rooms, 32–43" for bedrooms and compact spaces.
● Resolution matters: As screen size increases, choose 4K or 8K to keep detail sharp and picture quality high.
● Check real dimensions: Compare the TV’s physical size (stand, bezel, packaging) with your furniture and doorways before buying.
What sizes do TVs come in?
TVs these days come in all shapes and sizes. The most common TV sizes are 32”, 43”, 55” and 65”, and there has been a steady increase in 75”, 85” and 98” models in recent years. In 2019, we launched the famous The Wall TV at an impressive 292” - around 24 feet!
Let’s take a look at the different television sizes that you have to choose from.
How to measure a TV screen?
Calculating your TV size is less complicated than you might think. A TV's size refers to its diagonal length, measured from the upper left-hand corner of the actual TV screen to the lower right-hand corner. Most TV sizes are expressed in inches.
Recommended viewing distance for your TV
TV viewing distance is something to keep in mind when deciding what is the best size TV for your room and calculating how far you should sit from your TV. All TVs have a recommended distance and angle that you will want to consider when setting it up in your home. The best, most immersive viewing experience occurs when 40 degrees of your field of view is taken up by the screen.
This field of view distance can easily be calculated if you know the size of your TV. To calculate the suitable distance, sit at roughly 1 to 2.5 times your TV’s screen size (for 4K) and use your room’s viewing distance divided by two to pick the right TV size.. Have a look at the table provided below, with the recommended viewing distances for various TV sizes. This will help you choose the best TV size for your space.
|
TV Size |
Viewing Distance |
|---|---|
|
32 Inch |
1.1 m (3.5 ft) |
|
43 Inch |
1.4 m (4.5 ft) |
|
50 Inch |
1.5 m (5.0 ft) |
|
55 Inch |
1.7 m (5.5 ft) |
|
65 Inch |
2.0 m (6.5 ft) |
|
75 Inch |
2.3 m (7.5 ft) |
|
85 Inch |
2.6 m (8.5 ft) |
|
98 Inch |
3.0 m (9.8 ft) |
style bar
See how Samsung AI enhances TVs of every size. Discover how Vision AI improves picture quality and viewing experience.
How do you know what size TV to buy?
Most people start thinking about TV size at a moment of change - a new home, a newly decorated living room, a TV that's finally given up after a decade of service. According to Samsung's own research, the desire for a bigger, more immersive picture is the single biggest reason people buy a new TV - and satisfaction among owners of larger screens is consistently high. So whatever has brought you here, this is a good moment to think bigger than you think you need. Use the guide below to find the size that fits your space - and your life.
Check out this guide if you’re looking for some design ideas to fit your TV and see which one suits you!
Best Size TV For You
Big Screen TVs
Currently finding yourself struggling to see the detail from your sofa? If you have adequate space for a larger TV display, you’ll be able to treat yourself to the kind of entertainment that only a home cinema experience can offer. Our 75+ inch TVs bring incredible movie experiences, with the majority of models delivering either 4K or 8K resolution straight to your living room. Find out more about our big screen TVs or learn what the difference is between 4K & 8K here.
Mid-size TVs
If you’ve got your mind set on something a little less big, check out our 50-65 inch televisions. All of these offer at least 4K resolution, which is great news if you’re looking to get the most out of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+ as these offer plenty of 4K content. This might be key for when you’re watching TV in your bedroom for easy wake ups or relaxing nightly routines.
Smaller TVs
In a smaller space, a large TV can be something that dominates the room. If you’d rather go for a smaller TV model, we’ve got you covered. Our range of 32-43” TVs are ideal if your living space is more limited - or if you want to place a television on a table or countertop without overcrowding the room. Many of our 32-43 inch TVs have 4K resolution, so you can rest assured that small does not mean compromising on picture quality.
Other things to keep in mind
1. Check the actual TV dimensions.
The excitement of buying a new TV can often cause you to forget about the actual task of setting it up. A TV is more than just its screen size. The physical dimensions of a big screen TV, stand and bezel included, as well as its future placement in its room are all important factors to consider. Be sure to compare the exact TV dimensions with your furniture setup to avoid headaches down the road when setting up your big screen TV. For greater peace of mind, check the package size (available to see on all of our product pages under the ‘Specifications’ section) – there’s nothing worse than buying the TV of your dreams only to realise it won’t fit through the front door! Learn more about our delivery and installation services for big screen TVs here.
2. Check the TV resolution, especially with a big screen TV.
The general rule of thumb when it comes to checking your TV resolution is that as the screen size increases, so should the total pixel count (also known as resolution). The higher the resolution, the sharper the image – and the finer the details – will be. This is why when you buy a big screen TV, it is highly recommended that you go with a high-resolution picture quality like 4K or 8K for the best viewing experience. Read more about picture quality here.
FAQS
-
What is the best TV size for a 4K model?Choosing the right 4K TV size comes down to one key factor: how far away you'll be sitting. Because 4K resolution packs in four times more pixels than Full HD, you can sit much closer to the screen without seeing any pixellation - which means you can go bigger than you might expect. As a simple rule, multiply your TV's screen size by 1.2 to get the ideal 4K viewing distance in inches. So if you're considering a 65-inch model, you'd ideally sit around 78 inches (roughly 2 metres) away. For most UK living rooms, a 55–65 inch 4K TV strikes the perfect balance of size and immersion. If you have the space to sit 2.5 metres or further back, a 75-inch model will deliver a truly cinematic experience.
-
How do you measure a TV’s size?If you've ever wondered how to measure TV size, the answer might surprise you: TVs aren't measured by their width or height, but diagonally. To find out how big a TV is in inches, place a tape measure at one corner of the screen and stretch it to the opposite corner in a straight line. That diagonal measurement - taken from the visible screen only, not including the frame or bezel - is the number you'll see advertised. So a "55-inch TV" has a screen that measures 55 inches from corner to corner. Find out more in our buying guide.
-
What size TV do I need for my room?Working out what size TV for your room is easier than you might think. Start by measuring the distance from your sofa (or usual seating position) to the wall where the TV will sit, in inches. Then simply divide that number by two - the result is a good starting point for your ideal screen size in inches. For example, if you sit 10 feet (120 inches) away, a screen around 55–65 inches would suit you well. For a more precise answer to the question of how to choose TV size, consider your TV's resolution too. A 4K model lets you sit closer without any loss of picture quality, so you can opt for a larger screen even in a smaller room.
-
What are the most common TV sizes?Standard TV sizes follow a fairly consistent pattern across manufacturers. The most common sizes available today are 32, 43, 50, 55, 65 and 75 inches, with 85 and 98-inch models growing in popularity as prices come down. In the UK specifically, 32, 43, 55 and 65 inches are the four sizes you'll find in the widest range of models from most brands - they cover everything from compact bedroom sets to spacious living room screens.
-
What size TV is best for a bedroom?Bedroom TV size comes down to two things: the distance from your bed to the wall, and how you typically watch. Bedrooms are generally more intimate spaces than living rooms, so a smaller, well-chosen screen often delivers a better experience than simply going as large as possible. For most standard UK bedrooms, where you're sitting or lying 5–8 feet from the screen, a 32–43 inch TV is the sweet spot for smaller rooms, while a 50-inch model works well in a larger master bedroom. If your viewing distance is closer to 8–10 feet, you might comfortably go up to 55 inches. When thinking about small room TV size, bear in mind that the centre of the screen should ideally sit at eye level from your usual viewing position - whether that's sitting up or lying down. A wall-mounted TV with a tilting bracket can make it much easier to find the right angle for comfortable bedroom viewing.
-
Does TV resolution matter when choosing size?Absolutely - TV resolution vs size is one of the most important things to understand when shopping for a new TV. Resolution determines how many pixels make up the image on screen. A Full HD (1080p) TV works well at smaller sizes, but as the screen gets bigger, individual pixels can become visible if you're sitting too close. 4K (Ultra HD) resolution — which offers 3,840 x 2,160 pixels - solves this problem by packing in far more detail, meaning you can sit closer and go larger without any loss of sharpness.
FAQ Schema code