What TV size should I get? Ideal sizes and viewing distances explained

WITH so many options out there, finding a new TV can feel overwhelming.

Before you rush out and buy the biggest telly available, ask yourself, ‘what size TV should I buy?’ to save yourself some money and time.

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If you’ve already reviewed our roundup of the best 4K UK TV deals, then you’re ready to purchase – now it’s just a matter of finding the right size.

You may also find our article on how to measure a TV helpful.

Don’t be scared to wall mount your TV either – our ‘How to wall mount a TV’ step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know.

How do I decide what size to buy my TV?

When choosing a TV size, it’s a good idea to consider the dimensions of the room and the viewing distance.

This will help you select a TV size that provides an optimal viewing experience without being too large or too small for your space.

It’s also important to think about whether you want to mount the TV to the wall or place it on a TV stand.

This can change the viewing distance and space available for the TV to fill.

Wall mounting a TV can give you an extra foot of viewing distance and might allow for a larger screen size.

Screen size by viewing distance calculator: Work out what TV size you need

Here’s a rundown of TV screen sizes and ideal viewing distances.

The easiest thing to do is to work out where you want to position the TV, measure the distance to the seats in the room, and consult the table below.

What size TV per room size

What size TV for living room

For a typical UK living room, a 55-inch to 65-inch TV is generally recommended as the optimal size.

TVs of this size provide a good balance between immersive viewing and not overwhelming the room.

Some households prefer a larger screen for a more cinematic experience, while others opt for a smaller screen that doesn’t dominate the room. 

What size TV for bedroom

32-inch TVs are often a good fit for a bedroom as they offer a comfortable viewing experience in smaller spaces.

For larger bedrooms, a 55-inch TV can offer an immersive viewing experience without taking over the space.

However, the key to remember is that the viewing distance should be appropriate.

What is the biggest TV size?

TV screens have been growing in size since their inception.

While old TVs maxed out at around 40 inches, nowadays you can get over double that.

Generally, modern TVs vary from 32 inches all the way to the world’s largest TV at 325 inches, although domestic models tend to stop at around 80 inches.

It’s also important to consider what resolution you want.

The better the resolution, the more expensive your telly will be, so if in doubt, it is a good idea to stick to a 4K TV.

Resolution is measured by how many pixels the TV has, meaning you can sit closer to the TV before it begins to pixelate.

Full HD or 1080p

This refers to TVs with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

These are best for smaller TVs that you are going to watch from a distance, so 32 or 40 inches.

4K

If you are going for a TV bigger than 40 inches, it is best to boost the resolution to 4K.

Commonly known as Ultra HD or UHD, this screen would have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

Most smart TVs have this as standard as it offers four times the pixel resolution of a HD TV.

8K

8K is the next step in resolution, offering 7680 x 4320 pixels, and is also known as Ultra HD.

If you have the budget, this could be a great option; however, the market is still thin for this type of TV.

How close should I sit to my TV?

Generally, for Full HD TVs, a good rule of thumb is to sit 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size away.

For 4K TVs, a closer viewing distance of 1 to 1.5 times the diagonal screen size is recommended for optimal viewing.

We’ve covered TV screen sizes and ideal viewing distances in more detail above, so make sure to take a closer look.

Where to buy different sized TVs

Most major retailers stock a wide range of TV sizes.

It’s worth checking out the TV stockists listed below.