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TV Size and Viewing-Distance Calculator

Discover the perfect TV viewing distance or screen size for your home.

By Distance By Distance
Enter viewing distance:
ft. *
*Measured in full feet
or
By TV Size By TV Size
Enter your TV size:
in.*
*Measured diagonally in full inches

Watching your TV from the appropriate distance for its size or choosing a TV based on the size of your viewing area will help you enjoy your television display at its best. Think of it as picking the best seat in a movie theater.

Our calculations are based on recommendations from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers® (SMPTE). According to SMPTE, when viewing a TV from an optimal distance, the TV will fill about 30 degrees of your visual field, allowing for minimal head and eye movement to take in the full picture.

00"

We recommend a 00" TV when viewing from that distance.

This recommendation is based on the SMPTE optimal viewing standards for HD televisions. If you get a TV with ultra-high definition (UHD) or another type of super high-definition, you could go a little bigger because higher-definition TVs allow for closer viewing.

You can find great deals on high-quality TVs of all sizes on Amazon. But a great TV does you no good if your TV service can’t deliver the channels and image quality you want. To make sure your TV and your TV service measure up, check out our resource on the "Best TVs on the Market," and enter your zip below to compare packages from television providers in your area.

10'

We recommend watching your TV from about 10' away.

This recommendation is based on the SMPTE optimal viewing standards for HD televisions. Keep in mind that TVs with ultra-high definition (UHD) or any other type of super high-definition allow for closer viewing. To find the right distance for your TV, start with the standard recommended distance and slowly move forward as close as you’re comfortable.

The quality of your TV image depends on the quality of the signal from your provider. To get the most out of your TV-viewing experience, get a TV package with lots of HD channels. Check out "The 4 Best HD TV Packages of 2017," or enter your zip code below to compare available packages in your area.

Check Your Availability

To see which of the best TV providers are available in your zip code, use the tool below.

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