How are TV Dimensions Calculated and Measured?

Knowing your actual TV dimension determines how much space you need to place the TV correctly. However, many assume they understand this from the publicly advertised screen sizes, which typically don’t reflect the actual viewing screen. In the end, the allocated space might be too small.

Our technical experts explain how to measure and calculate your TV screens to determine the ideal space.

How to Calculate a TV Screen Size

To many, buying a TV is as simple as walking to a store and picking up the preferred screen size from your favorite brand. However, it shouldn’t be so. Sometimes, the screen size advertised isn’t the actual size, and most people don’t know when they are cheated. 

A 40-inch TV may not be 40, and a 55-inch may not be actually 55. This confusion and complication can make you assume that you have the right space to fit your TV. That’s why measuring the TV beforehand is the next best thing to do after choosing your preferred product.

Westinghouse tv

You can calculate a TV screen size by using a tape measure. TVs, tablets, and other electronic flat screens aren’t measured from side to side or top to bottom. You measure them diagonally from the top-left corner of the screen to the bottom-right corner and vice versa to get their actual screen dimension.

When using the tape measure, you must straightly stretch across the screen’s center to the point where the visible part stopped. The bezels or the frames aren’t included during measurements because those are like the housing. Only the display itself is calculated. 

TV Length and Width

When calculating the actual TV dimensions, you also need to take account of the length and width. Here, our team emphasizes the TV’s bezels. Bezels are simply the edges or the screen’s frame and can add a few inches to the overall TV’s width and length. The width and length is the measurement of the TV from top to bottom and left to right. 

South Shore Floating

So when buying your new TV, you shouldn’t only factor in the diagonal size but the bezel, length, and width. Those few extra inches might make the allocated space too small to fit in your TV. Most TV manufacturers include the product’s dimensions and details on the manual and web pages, but you should get ahead by going with a tape for measurement.

Top TV Sizes Today

Top Sizes

Dimensions

Viewing Area

32-Inch TV

Width: 27.8 inches; Height: 15.7 inches

435.5 inches

49-Inch TV

Width: 42.6 inches; Height: 24 inches

1021.2 inches

55-Inch TV

Width: 47.8 inches; Height: 26.9 inches

1286.6 inches

TV Aspect Ratios

TV aspect ratios mean the ideal viewing ratios where the viewed content or picture covers the entire display. Most televisions manufactured today have a 16:9 aspect ratio, and this is the perfect viewing ratio. However, manufacturers, such as Samsung, Sony, and LG, are now making TVs with a 21:9 ratio.

Sony X80JSony X80J

That is because movies filmed nowadays are done with 21:9. Manufacturers want to avoid black bars appearing at the bottom and top of the picture, reducing the viewing area and picture quality. Black bars are blank, black colors that arise when you watch a TV show with a low aspect ratio, let’s say 16:9 on a TV with 21:9.

(For a clean TV setup, here are some of the tried and tested ways to hide TV wires seamlessly

Other Factors to Consider

Other factors you need to consider when buying a TV apart from the dimensions include the thickness and the mount. 

Thickness

Relatively thick TVs are somewhat old-fashioned, but some people still like them for impression sake. Slimmer and lighter TVs appear better than their heavy and thick counterparts. Besides, slimmer and light TVs are easier to mount on the wall.

Mount

OLED and QLED TV screens are ideal for wall mounting because they provide a unique viewing experience [1]. In addition, these TVs are also slim, and as pointed out by our team, they are easier to mount because of their less bulky nature. However, they are expensive. 

LED TVs are also good for wall mounting if you have a strong wall bracket. Its load capacity must be more than the TV’s weight. Else, the TV will fall when you least expect it.

(Looking for great TV brands? Well, you can check how we compare TCL against Hisense to know which brand is better) 

FAQ

What are the standard sizes of flat-screen TVs?

The standard sizes of flat-screen TVs include 24-inches, 28-inches, 28-inches, 32-inches, 40-inches, 42/43-inches, 49-inches, 50-inches, 55-inches, 65-inches, and 70-inches. 

What are the actual dimensions of a 24” TV?

The actual dimensions of a 24″ TV are 11.7-inch height and 20.9-inch width.

Conclusion

TV dimensions are not complicated to understand. Our engineers have explained in this article how to get the right dimension for the placement of your TV. When allocating space, be sure to get the TV’s measurement, calculate the space, and leave at least two inches on all sides of the TV so that it doesn’t fit tight while shifting positions.

If you want to know about famous TV companies, you can also check the pages below: 

Writer

Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.