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What Size TV Do I Need? A Simple Guide for UK Homes
- , by GK Prime
- 6 min reading time
Most people wish they had bought a bigger TV. Measure your viewing distance, match it to a screen size and check it fits, with our simple guide for UK homes.
Many people who buy a new TV say the same thing a week later: "I wish I had bought a bigger one." Almost nobody wishes they had bought a smaller one.
This happens because TVs look bigger in a shop or on a website than they do at home. A 55-inch screen can look huge in a showroom. Then you put it in your living room, 3 metres from the sofa, and it suddenly looks quite small.
So how do you choose the right size the first time? You don't need a calculator. You only need a tape measure and two minutes. This guide will show you how.
Step One: Measure From Your Sofa
Measure from where you sit to where the screen will go.
Sit where you usually watch TV. Then measure the distance from your eyes to the place where the screen will go. This is your viewing distance, and it is the most important number when you choose a TV.
In most UK living rooms, the viewing distance is between 2 and 3 metres. In bedrooms and smaller flats, it is often closer to 1.5 metres.
Step Two: Match the Distance to a Screen Size
Use this table to find the right size for your room. It is based on 4K TVs, which are what most people buy today.
| Viewing distance | Screen size | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| About 1.5 m | 40 to 48 inches | Bedrooms, kitchens and small flats |
| About 2 m | 48 to 55 inches | Small living rooms and snugs |
| About 2.5 m | 55 to 65 inches | Most UK living rooms |
| About 3 m | 65 to 75 inches | Large living rooms |
| 3.5 m or more | 75 to 85 inches | Open-plan rooms and home cinemas |
The same guide as a chart. The orange bar shows the most common UK living room.
If you mostly watch older programmes or DVDs, which are not in 4K, you can choose one size smaller. If you love films or play a lot of games, choose a size near the top of the range.
Step Three: Check That It Fits
TV sizes are measured from corner to corner, not from side to side. The table below shows the approximate width and height of each screen, not including the stand. The frame adds a little extra.
| TV size | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 43 inches | About 95 cm | About 54 cm |
| 55 inches | About 122 cm | About 68 cm |
| 65 inches | About 144 cm | About 81 cm |
| 75 inches | About 166 cm | About 93 cm |
| 85 inches | About 188 cm | About 106 cm |
Check the space between the walls, or the width of your TV unit, and leave a little room on each side.
Three Things People Often Forget
- The position of the feet. Many TVs have feet at the far ends instead of one stand in the middle. If your TV unit is narrower than the TV, choose a model with a central stand or mount the TV on the wall.
- Light from the windows. If the TV faces a large window, choose a bright screen, such as a QLED or Mini LED model. OLED TVs look best in rooms that are not too bright.
If your room gets a lot of daylight, choose a bright TV.
- The route into your home. Big TVs come in big boxes. Measure your front door, hallway and any tight corners on the stairs before you order.
A Simple Trick Before You Buy
Take a large piece of cardboard and cut it to the size of the TV you are thinking about. Tape it to the wall where the TV will go. Then sit on your sofa for an evening and look at it. If the size looks right, think about going one size bigger, because a TV always looks smaller once you get used to it.
Bigger Doesn't Have to Cost More
Buying an Open-Box, Excellent or Pre-Loved TV can help here. Because these TVs cost less, you can often afford a bigger screen. Many of our customers have moved up from a 55-inch to a 65-inch TV, or from a 65-inch to a 75-inch TV, for about the same price as a smaller new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 65-inch TV too big for a small living room?
Usually not. If you sit 2.5 metres or more from the screen, a 65-inch TV will feel right. Try the cardboard trick if you are not sure.
What size TV is best for a bedroom?
Most bedrooms suit a TV between 40 and 48 inches. Measure from your pillow to the wall to check your viewing distance.
Can I sit closer to a 4K TV?
Yes. A 4K picture is sharper, so you can sit closer to a large screen without seeing the small dots that make up the picture.
How high should I mount my TV on the wall?
The middle of the screen should be roughly level with your eyes when you are sitting down. In most homes, this is about 1 metre from the floor. If the TV is too high, it can hurt your neck.
Is bigger always better?
Not always. A screen that is too big for a small room can be tiring to watch. Use the table in this guide to find the right range, and then choose the size that suits your budget.
Will a big TV fit through my door?
Most will, but please measure your doors, hallways and stairs before you order. Larger TVs may be delivered by a two-person team. Let us know in advance if access to your home is difficult.
Can you mount the TV on the wall for me?
Installation is not included as standard, but we sell wall mounts. Please ask us before you order and we will be happy to advise you.
What if I choose the wrong size?
You can request a return within 15 days of receiving your order. Please read our Returns and Refund Policy for the full details. Your legal rights as a consumer are not affected.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is free across the UK and usually takes 3 to 5 working days.
Got your measurement? Browse our Smart TVs and filter by screen size to see what is in stock right now.