TV size for viewing distance calculator
Measure from your seat to the wall where the TV will go to see which screen size to shop for.
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Processing and privacy: The result is calculated inside your browser and your data is not sent to any server.
How to use it
- Enter seating distance and resolution.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
Width = 2 × distance × tan(half angle), and diagonal = width × √337 ÷ 16 for 16:9. Full-detail size: width = horizontal pixels × distance × tan(1 arcminute).
Example
Inputs: Seating distance = 2.5 m, Resolution = 4K (2160p). Result: Recommended size (30°): 61 in; Immersive size (40°): 82 in; Size at which full resolution is visible: 126 in.
Limits and caveats
- Assumes a 16:9 screen and normal vision. Real TVs come in set sizes, so pick the nearest.
- It does not account for wall space or furniture around the screen.
Questions about this tool
I sit 3 meters away. What size fits?
About 73 inches at 30 degrees, so a 75 inch TV suits you. For a more immersive feel you can go toward 98 inches.
Why is the full-resolution size so large?
The eye only resolves every 4K pixel from far away on a very big screen. A smaller TV is still fine, the extra detail is just less noticeable.
How do I measure seating distance?
Measure from your eyes while seated to the screen surface, not from the edge of the sofa.