TV Size Calculator

Choosing the right TV size transforms your viewing experience. Too small, and you lose immersion — that cinematic feeling where you forget you’re watching a screen. Too large, and you’ll strain your eyes or find yourself constantly scanning the display. Our calculator uses industry standards from THX and SMPTE to find the sweet spot for your room, giving you a recommendation in seconds rather than hours of research.

Understanding Viewing Distance Standards

When home cinema enthusiasts and professional display calibrators talk about “the right TV size,” they’re really talking about viewing angle — the portion of your field of vision that the screen occupies. Two major standards guide these recommendations.

THX, the company founded by George Lucas to ensure cinema quality, recommends a 36-degree viewing angle. This creates an immersive, cinema-like experience where the TV dominates your visual field. It’s ideal for dedicated movie watching and gaming, where you want to be drawn into the content.

SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) recommends a more conservative 30-degree viewing angle. This is comfortable for extended viewing sessions — think binge-watching your favourite series or having the TV on during the day. You get a great picture without the intensity that might cause fatigue over several hours.

Both standards emerged from decades of research into human visual perception and comfort. They account for how our eyes naturally focus, how we perceive motion, and how long we can comfortably engage with a display.

One important note: these standards were developed when 1080p was the highest resolution available. Modern 4K TVs have four times the pixel density, which means you can sit closer without seeing individual pixels. If you’re buying a 4K TV (and in 2024, you almost certainly are), you can comfortably push toward the THX recommendation without worrying about image quality degradation.

TV Size Guide by Room

Different rooms call for different approaches. Here’s how to think about TV size based on where you’ll be watching.

Bedroom TVs

Bedroom viewing distances typically range from 6 to 8 feet, depending on room layout and where you position the bed. For this distance, 40 to 55 inches hits the sweet spot. A 50-inch TV is often ideal — large enough to enjoy from bed but not so overwhelming that it dominates a space meant for relaxation.

Consider mounting height carefully in bedrooms. Many people watch TV while propped up on pillows, which changes the viewing angle. A wall mount with a slight downward tilt often works better than placing the TV on a dresser at traditional height.

Living Room TVs

The living room is where most people watch TV, with viewing distances typically between 8 and 12 feet. This is the sweet spot for 55 to 75 inches. A 65-inch TV has become the most popular choice for good reason — it works well across this entire range and has dropped significantly in price over recent years.

If your sofa sits around 9-10 feet from the wall, 65 inches delivers an excellent experience for both movies and casual viewing. Larger rooms or dedicated viewing areas can easily support 75 inches or larger.

Large Rooms and Home Cinemas

For viewing distances beyond 12 feet, you’ll want 75 inches or larger. At these distances, even an 85-inch TV might feel modest. This is where the mathematics of viewing angles becomes particularly important — at 15 feet, you need at least 85 inches to achieve even the conservative SMPTE viewing angle.

For true home cinema setups, consider whether a projector might serve you better at extreme distances. A quality projector can deliver 100+ inch images that no reasonably priced TV can match.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a TV Size

After helping thousands of people choose TVs, certain mistakes appear again and again. Avoid these and you’ll be happier with your purchase.

Buying Too Small

This is the single most common regret. People worry about a TV being “too big,” but within a week of purchase, even a significantly larger TV feels normal. Your brain adapts remarkably quickly.

The showroom effect compounds this problem. TVs are displayed on massive walls under bright lights, making them appear enormous. That 65-inch TV that looked huge at the store will feel far smaller on your living room wall, viewed from your actual sofa distance.

The rule of thumb: if you’re torn between two sizes, go bigger. You’re far more likely to wish you’d sized up than to regret going larger.

Ignoring Mounting Height

The centre of your TV screen should ideally be at eye level when seated. This matters more than most people realise — a TV mounted too high means you’re constantly looking up, which causes neck strain over time and changes the effective viewing distance (you’re now viewing at an angle, not straight on).

The popular “above the fireplace” mounting position is almost always too high. If this is your only option, consider a tilting mount that angles the screen downward, or look into mantle-mount solutions that can lower the TV when in use.

Underestimating Modern Bezels

Ten years ago, a 55-inch TV had thick plastic frames around the screen, making the overall unit significantly larger than the viewable area. Modern TVs have virtually no bezel — some are just millimetres thick.

This means two things: the TV you buy will fit in smaller spaces than equivalent older models, and the screen itself will be larger relative to the overall unit size. Don’t let memories of bulky older TVs stop you from considering larger modern options.

Forgetting the Adjustment Period

The first day with a new TV, especially if it’s larger than what you’re used to, can feel strange. You might think you’ve made a mistake. This is completely normal and passes within days.

By the end of the first week, your new TV will feel completely natural. By the end of the first month, you’ll wonder how you ever watched anything smaller. This adjustment happens every time, regardless of the size increase.

TV Size vs Resolution: Does It Matter?

With 4K now standard and 8K available at premium prices, resolution is a common concern when choosing TV size. Here’s what actually matters.

At recommended viewing distances, the difference between 4K and 1080p is subtle for most TV sizes. The human eye can only resolve so much detail at a given distance. For a 55-inch TV viewed from 8 feet, most people cannot perceive individual pixels on either a 4K or 1080p display.

Resolution becomes more important with larger screens at closer distances. If you’re buying a 75-inch or larger TV and plan to sit relatively close (under 10 feet), 4K offers a meaningful improvement. The pixels are physically larger on bigger screens, so they become visible sooner as you move closer.

As for 8K: at normal viewing distances, it’s pure marketing. The resolution exceeds what the human eye can distinguish under any realistic home viewing scenario. The content ecosystem is also nearly non-existent — almost nothing is filmed or distributed in 8K. Put your money toward a better 4K TV rather than paying a premium for 8K.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size TV for a 10 foot room?

For a 10-foot viewing distance, we recommend a 65 to 75 inch TV. A 65-inch TV provides a comfortable viewing experience based on SMPTE standards, while 75 inches delivers the more immersive THX-recommended viewing angle. If you primarily watch movies and games, lean toward 75 inches. For mixed use including daytime TV and news, 65 inches offers slightly more flexibility.

Is a 65 inch TV too big for a bedroom?

A 65-inch TV works well in bedrooms with viewing distances of 8 to 10 feet. For smaller bedrooms where you’re viewing from 6-7 feet, 55 inches might be more appropriate. Consider your room layout — if you can position the bed at least 8 feet from the TV wall, 65 inches will feel immersive without being overwhelming. Modern thin bezels also mean today’s 65-inch TVs have a smaller footprint than older models.

How far should I sit from a 55 inch TV?

The ideal viewing distance for a 55-inch TV is 6.5 to 8.5 feet. At 6.5 feet, you achieve the immersive THX-recommended 36-degree viewing angle. At 8.5 feet, you get the comfortable SMPTE 30-degree angle suitable for longer viewing sessions. If your seating is fixed outside this range, consider adjusting your TV size — larger if you’re further, smaller if you’re closer.

Does wall mounting change the recommended TV size?

Wall mounting doesn’t change the recommended size based on distance, but mounting height matters significantly. The ideal position places the centre of the screen at seated eye level — roughly 42-48 inches from the floor for most furniture. Mounting higher increases the effective viewing distance (you’re looking at an angle) and can cause neck strain. If you must mount high, use a tilting bracket to angle the screen downward toward your viewing position.

Can I sit too close to a 4K TV?

With 4K resolution, you can sit much closer than with older 1080p TVs before seeing individual pixels. For most 4K TVs, you won’t see pixels until you’re closer than 1.5 times the screen height. For a 65-inch TV, that’s about 3 feet — closer than anyone actually sits. So practically speaking, no, you cannot sit “too close” to a 4K TV in terms of image quality. Comfort and eye strain from looking at an overly large screen remain considerations, but pixel visibility is not a concern with modern 4K displays.