What Is the True Size of a TV Screen

The true size of a TV screen is its actual measurements rather than what you may see advertised by the manufacturer. I always suspected that TV brands advertise their screens as larger than they actually are. They do this by only measuring the screen’s diagonal length of the screen and not the height and width. So, I took the initiative to find the true size of smart TV screens.

While this diagonal measurement has convinced many electronics consumers, I have always remained skeptical. And I started having this mindset when I noticed that higher-resolution screens appear smaller than screens with lower resolutions. 

I will tell you the true sizes of TV screens in this post. Also, I will look at the ideal viewing distance and mounting height for a 55-inch smart TV, among a few more issues of concern. So, read on for more information!

55-Inch TV dimensions and True size of Screen

Whenever I’m looking for a new TV, I want to know if it will fit inside my desired indoor space –living room or bedroom. But more importantly, I want to know if the new TV set will provide a viewing experience like no other. But there’s no better way to know this other than checking the true dimensions of a 55-inch TV screen.

Here are the things I recommend you do to find the true dimensions of your preferred 55-inch TV screen:

Understand TV Screen Measurements

When measuring a TV screen, you first want to understand that the advertised size refers to the screen’s diagonal length. But as I’ve already said, this is an advertisement; it doesn’t reflect the true dimensions of your TV screen.

The true screen measurements consider the width and height of your TV screen. And these are the measurements on which you want to focus. A 55-inch TV screen has a 47.6 inches width and 26.6 inches height if you assume a 16:9 aspect ratio.

However, I’ve also noticed that these measurements vary slightly from one TV brand or model to another. But most screens are in the 16:9 aspect ratio, measuring 47.6 by 26.6 inches. You can measure your TV’s width and height to find its true measurements. But I’m pretty sure your results will be close to that of TVs with the 16:9 aspect ratio.

Measure the Width of the Screen

When measuring the width of your TV screen, you want to use a measuring tape or a ruler, although I find a measuring tape more convenient. Place your measuring instrument, in my case, a measuring tape, at the left edge of the TV screen and extend it to the right edge. Then write down the measurement.

Measure the Height of the Screen

You want to do everything in the step above, except you will measure from the bottom left edge of your TV screen to the top edge. Also, you will write down the measurement.

Check the Aspect Ratio

Once you’ve measured the width and height of your TV’s screen, you can find its aspect ratio, which is the width divided by the height measurement. For example, if your TV screen width and height are 47.6 and 26.6 inches, you will get a 1.79:1 aspect ratio.

While this is one way of expressing the aspect ratio, I like to express this value using the common fraction format, such as 16:9 or 4:3. You will divide the width and height with a common divisor. For example, a TV screen with a 40-inch width and 30-inch height has a 4:3 aspect ratio because the dimensions have a common divisor of 10.

Compare the Measurements to the Manufacturer’s Specifications

After taking the width and height measurements and calculating the aspect ratio, you want to compare your results with those of the manufacturer. Your values should match the TV specifications. And that will tell you the TV has true screen dimensions.

But if the results you’ve obtained show discrepancies with the TV’s specifications, you want to consider buying another TV set. And that’s because the TV has no true dimensions. Finding the true dimensions allows you to buy the right size TV for your living room. So, check the screen dimensions first, then buy the TV set.

What Is the Best TV Size for Most People?

Most people I’ve interacted with find a 65-inch TV to be the “sweet spot” for various reasons. The major reason they gave was that 65-inch TV sets offer large screens that display remarkable picture details while fitting in their living rooms. 

Since these large TV screens also have high resolutions, they show movies and TV shows in detail, thus giving viewers an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, many electronics consumers believe this TV screen size isn’t overwhelming and can fit most living rooms.

Also, 65-inch TV screens provide a comfortable viewing distance for a heightened cinematic experience in your living room. You can place your TV further than where you’d place a smaller TV and get the same cinematic experience. And this is why many people consider 65 inches the sweet spot.

TVs with 65-inch screens are also more affordable than larger TVs when they have most features you’d get only from larger TV screens. That makes them balance performance with price. Some features they share with larger and more expensive TVs are 4K or 8K resolution, high contrast ratio, High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, backlighting, and smart TV capabilities. Therefore, they offer great value at more affordable costs.

Lastly, 65-inch TV sets are more compatible with most home theater setups. If you want to set up a surround sound system, there’s a good chance it will look great with a 65-inch TV set. At least, this is what most people have told me. 

Also, this TV size has proved more compatible with streaming devices, making your living room more appealing. As a result, you will stream content to your devices with exceptional clarity and enjoy content from a screen that doesn’t overwhelm your living room.

Is 55 Inch TV Screen Size Enough?

Now that you’ve found that most people love 65-inch TVs, you may ask yourself: is a 55-inch TV screen size enough? Most people may find 65-inch TVs ideal, but that doesn’t mean you also need such a humongous size. There are a few things that should inform you if a given TV size is enough:

The Viewing Distance

Before choosing a 55-inch TV set, you want to consider the distance from which you will view your TV. You want to sit eight feet away from a 55-inch TV screen, which is 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal length of your TV. So, multiply the TV’s diagonal length by 2.5 to find how far you should sit from it when watching your favorite TV show.

The Room Size

Also, you want to check your living room size before buying a TV set and placing it inside the room. The bigger the room, the more likely you will watch the TV from a greater distance. And you will need a bigger TV screen.

Screen Resolution

The screen resolution can impact the appearance of a TV screen. You want to check this feature before choosing any TV size. If a TV has a higher resolution, say 8K, you want to choose a bigger screen because higher resolutions make the screen appear smaller.

Budget

Although not a feature, you still want to check your budget before choosing any TV size. Larger TVs cost more. If a 65-inch is outside your budget range, consider opting for a 55-inch TV set. 

Purpose

The TV from which you intend to watch your favorite sports will be 55 inches or larger. But a smaller TV set may be ideal for browsing the web. Therefore, also consider the purpose before choosing a 55-inch TV set.

Wall Space

When placing your TV set in the living room, consider the wall space available for the TV. Also, you want to consider your furniture and ensure you have sufficient space left for your TV. If a 5-inch TV set fits the wall space, you can buy it. But if the space is insufficient, you want to step down a little.

Dimensions of a 55-Inch TV in CM

The TV manufacturer can express the dimensions in centimeters or inches, depending on where you live. If you live in the US, your TV brand will specify its dimensions in inches. But for British citizens, the dimensions may well be in centimeters.

For every specification in inches, multiply it by 2.54 to express it in centimeters. For example, a 55-inch TV set with a 47.6-inch width will have a 120.9-centimeter width. Additionally, a 26.6-inch screen height is a 67.57-centimeter height. This conversion is simple, provided you know how many centimeters make an inch, which is 2.54 centimeters.

What’s the Best Viewing Distance for a 55-Inch TV?

Eight feet is the best viewing distance for a 55-inch TV set. You can calculate the ideal viewing distance for your TV by multiplying its diagonal length by 2.5. Then whatever the result you obtain is the ideal viewing distance in feet. Besides, the Ergonomics Office of the National Institutes of Health recommends this multiplication to find the ideal viewing distance.

What’s the Ideal Mounting Height for a 55-Inch TV Set?

While you multiply the TV’s diagonal length by 2.5 to find the best viewing distance, you will do something completely different to mount your TV at the correct height. I like to keep the center of the TV screen on the same level as my line of sight when mounting any TV set.

I came up with this idea after learning that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends you mount a TV at the height of 42 inches from the floor to the center of the screen for the best viewing experience.

The Best Room Size for a 55-inch TV

A 55-inch TV set is ideal for small and medium-sized rooms. If you have a small living room, you can sit closer to your TV set while maintaining 6 – 8 feet of viewing distance. Also, a medium-sized living room can house a 55-inch TV. In this case, you will keep the viewing distance between eight and twelve feet. 

However, if your living room is larger, consider buying a 65-inch or larger TV set and keep the viewing distance to over twelve feet. Since a small room is 200 sq. ft. large, a 55-inch TV will fit it perfectly. Also, a medium room with a 200 – 400 sq. ft. size will house a 55-inch TV excellently. 

What Is the Box Width of a 55-Inch TV?

You can expect the box width of a 55-inch TV to vary depending on the TV model. But this length is typically 48 inches. This measurement refers to the width of the TV when packaged in its box and includes any additional packaging materials. The actual width of the TV set will fall short of the box width because this dimension includes the packaging materials.

How Much Bigger Is 55-Inch vs 60-Inch TV?

Considering the diagonal screen dimension, a 55-inch TV is five inches smaller than a 60-inch TV set. But a 60-inch screen has 20% more area, which affects the overall cinematic experience. If you want to view your favorite TV show in more detail, you want to watch the movie from a 60-inch screen because of the additional area.

Is 55 Inches of TV Too Little?

A 55-inch TV may be too little for a large room that may well be over 700 sq. ft. in size. But the TV size is ideal for a large bedroom. If you can place the TV 8 – 12 feet away from your bed, it’s an ideal TV set for your bedroom. Check to see if you don’t violate the recommended viewing distance because you risk damaging your eyesight if you sit too close.

Also, you don’t want to watch your TV from a greater distance so you get the cinematic experience you deserve. 

55 Inch TV Comparison Chart vs Other Sizes

Viewing Distance Size Chart for a 55 Inch TV

Recommended Viewing Distance Based on Image Resolution

Besides the screen size in inches, the resolution also dictates the viewing distance. I have noticed I can sit closer to my Samsung smart TV without noticing pixels or other visual artifacts because of the excellent resolution.

If you have an FHD TV set with a 1080P resolution, you can 8 – 14 feet from its screen. But for a 4K resolution TV set, you can sit 1.5 times its diagonal length from the screen. That should put you somewhere between five and eight feet away.

The viewing distance is even shorter if the screen resolution is 8K; you will sit the equivalent of its diagonal length from the TV screen. Therefore, check your TV screen resolution and determine the ideal viewing distance.

A Chart for Samsung TV Widths

Conclusion

Your TV’s screen size isn’t always what your manufacturer says it is. And that’s because the advertisement sometimes doesn’t reflect the true dimensions of a TV. But you can figure out your TV’s true dimensions if you measure the width and height of the screen.

Finding the true dimensions is essential because it allows you to choose the best TV set for your living room. But more importantly, a TV’s true dimensions help you find the best viewing distance. I have looked at how to calculate the true dimensions of a TV set.

I have also included information on ideal viewing distances and room sizes ideal for 55-inch TVs. I hope you’ve learned something from this post, especially if you want the best TV size for your living room.