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right tv size
Buying a new TV is a balance between viewing preferences, room size and budget. But choosing the right TV size can become a question of “how big is too big” and, while there isn’t a hard rule around this, a bit of basic math can help.

Often, people will make the mistake of choosing a smaller TV when in fact they could have gone bigger. So, what is the right TV size, and how exactly does math play into this?

The impact of television technology on ideal TV size

Ultra-High Definition (UHD) 4K resolution technology, along with much slimmer, more streamlined TV design means that for many rooms, bigger can indeed be better.

Common TV sizes for lounge and living rooms range from 32 inch to 75 inch (with that being the diagonal measurement of the physical screen), and these days 4K resolution TVs are among the norm in most retail stores, versus previous resolutions of 1080p and lower.

For those unfamiliar with the difference in resolution, a 1080p screen has 1080 vertical pixels, and 1920 horizontal pixels (that’s around 2 million pixels). 4K TVs (aka 2160p) by comparison have 2160 vertical pixels and 3840 horizontal pixels, which is around 8.3 million pixels. That makes for a significant difference in image quality – more detail, very vivid colour, and deeper blacks – and it has more of an impact on a larger screen when you’re closer to it. That means the old adage “don’t sit too close to the TV or you’ll get eye strain” no longer applies; the closer you sit to a UHD TV, the better the viewing experience will be. The further away you sit from the TV, the bigger the TV size you should opt for.

tv screen resolution

How to work out what size is best

This is where some basic math comes into play. There’s a very simple calculation for working out how close you can sit to your TV for the best viewing experience, according to big brands Sony and Samsung. Simply take the viewing distance in inches and divide it by 2 to get the recommended TV size.

For example, if you normally sit 10 feet from your TV (that’s roughly 3 metres), convert 10 feet to inches to get 120, and then divide by 2 to get 60. This indicates that the ideal TV size, based on sizes available in retails stores, will be 55” or 65” – and we suggest you round up to 65”.

Consider room size and arrangement

The other factor to consider when choosing the right TV size for your home is the size of the room, and how the TV will be arranged. If you want the TV to dominate a small room, then you’ll naturally choose the biggest TV you can fit in there. If you don’t want the TV to be the focal point, then this will influence the decision.

TV arrangement, and the angle you’ll be viewing the screen on, also needs to be considered. THX recommends that your line of sight should be aligned with the centre of the screen, 15 degrees or less above or below the centre of it. There are varying suggested viewing angles based on distance and screen size, and we found this handy calculator which may help you make the decision.

Need help choosing the right TV size for your home?

Choosing the right TV size for your home needs to take into account not just the basic math of size and distance, but also your room set up and preferences on how much of a focal point you want your TV to be.

If you want advice on what TV and home audio set up will work best for you, Computer Cures is here to help. We can help you create the ultimate home theatre experience, including advice and set up of your new TV Setup as well as connecting any other home theatre systems, smart devices and streaming services you use.

Need help setting up your new TV or home theatre system?

If you need help or advice on your new TV Setup Service Near Me or home theatre system set up, Computer Cures is here for you. Our friendly and expert technicians will get you up and running in no time, so you can just sit back enjoy your ultimate home entertainment experience. Give us a call on 1300 553 166 or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you promptly.

or fill in our online enquiry form today to set up an appointment with a local TV technician