TVs come in all different sizes, but there are some TV screen sizes that are more common than others. When shopping for a TV, you may see a lot more options in these sizes. These TV screen sizes range from moderate to extremely large. Which size you choose will depend on your budget, your room, and your personal preference for TV size.
First, it’s important to know how TV screen size is measured. The advertised screen size of a TV is the length of the TV measured diagonally. This means a 32 inch TV is actually 27.9 inches in width and 15.7 inches in height, making the screen a total of 439.6 square inches.
Additionally, remember that a flat-screen HDTV has more actual viewing room than older TVs. That’s because flat-screen TVs today are shaped differently than old TVs. Today’s TVs are longer, creating a more rectangular shape. Older TVs, on the other hand, were closer to a perfect square, with the width and height being almost the same.
Now, let’s examine some of the most common and popular TV screen sizes for today’s modern flat screen HDTVs.
24 inches
24 inches is one of the smallest sizes available for a TV. The main advantage of this small TV size is that they’re extremely inexpensive. Even a nice LED TV will often cost under $150 if it’s only 24 inches.
A 24 inch TV can be great as a second TV in another room, such as a kitchen. Though you won’t be able to watch a 24 inch TV from far away, it’s an inexpensive option and doesn’t take up much space.
28 inches
The next common size up from 24 inches is the 28 inch TV screen. A 28 inch TV screen is better suited for a living room as a primary TV than something smaller. It can be seen from a slightly farther distance and provides a better picture quality.
28 inches is a great size for an extra TV in a bedroom, too. It’s big enough to enjoy watching movies or high-definition TV shows, but it’s not so big that it becomes the focal point of the room.
32 inches
A 32 inch TV is a decent-sized TV for a small living room. While many people prefer larger TV screens, a 32 inch TV is big enough to watch from a distance of a few feet. It’s an ideal size for a small space, such as a studio apartment or a dorm room where you plan to sit close to the TV.
Remember, your TV can be a focal point in your living room, and it’s something guests will be looking at often. Choosing the right TV stand can tie your whole room together and make a modern electronic appliance look right at home in any room.
42 inches
42 inches is a popular in-between size for TV screens. It’s not quite big enough for most living rooms, but a 42 inch TV may be too expensive or too large for other rooms. With a 42 inch TV screen, you can sit a comfortable distance from your TV set and still easily see every detail.
Those who want a slightly larger TV but don’t want to spend the money on a really big TV might enjoy a 42 inch TV. It’s just big enough to enjoy, but not so big it will break the bank to buy one.
48 inches
48 inches is one of the most popular sizes for a TV screen. There are tons of options to choose from when shopping for a 48 inch TV. You can find plenty of high-quality LED TVs and even Smart TVs in the 48-inch size.
Plus, 48 inches is an excellent size for a TV screen in any living room. It’s big enough to sit across the room and still see every detail on an HDTV screen, but it should still fit in just about any living room without taking up too much space.
55 inches
55-inches TVs used to be the most popular choice for common North America households because their size can fit well in most single house’s living rooms/bedrooms or open floor plans small apartments. Being such popularity, most manufacturers or brands would have at least a couple of product lines of this size. You can find UHD LED, LCD, OLED, and QLED TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, TLC, etc., at this size.
As 55-inches TVs are being produced and more widely available on the market, their prices have been more reasonable to the common households with promotions going on back and forth.
Quality-wise, at 55 inches, you don’t just get HD quality pictures, as most 55″ TVs are now equipped with Ultra-HD (UHD) 4k or 8k and smart features. So the experience will be a big leap between 55 inches and their smaller siblings.
65 inches
As of now – 2021, 65 inches TVs have been emerging to be the most popular TV size on the market. Due to overstocking of manufacturers during the tariff war, the price of 65 inches TVs has dropped majorly compared to smaller screen sizes. This lead to 65-inch TVs become more obtainable to the general public, considering the superior viewing experience.
If you have a large enough living room or master area, typically between 5.4 to 8.1 ft viewing distance, then 65″ TV with 4k resolution is a great choice. Like 55″, most TV brands would produce their TVs at 65 inches, so it’s not difficult to find a TV of the types, or from your favorite brands at this size.
The 70s: 70, 75, and 77 inches
From 70 inches and up, manufacturers are dividing, and there are lots of off-size TVs. Still, you would likely find more TV types/brands of choice available in either 70-inches or 75-inches, which the latter is more popular considering the price difference versus the viewing experience leaps from 65-inches. However, if you’re looking for an OLED TV, then 77-inches TV is your only choice in this size range.
All TVs in this 70s range are either built with 4k or 8k resolution, HDR-compatible, smart os, etc. Due to the price and size range, these are geared toward the bigger display areas, such as larger living rooms or in-home theaters.
The 80s: 85-inches or 88-inches
Like the 70s TV size range, the 80s are even more dividing with manufacturers producing here and there. Aside from OLED TVs fixed at either 83-inches or 88-inches by LG (which 88 is the largest OLED size you can find currently), other TV types can be found at 80, 82, 85, and 86 inches sizes. Obviously, you could find more TVs available at 85″ compared to other sizes in this range (for example, about 20/37 models sold on BestBuy at the time of this post), so 85-inches might grow to be the more popular sizes in the future, except for the OLED TVs.
Due to the size and features, in addition to their prices, 80+ TVs are definitely not for the typical small living room as they required at least 7.1ft viewing distance at 4k resolution. They are more fitted for larger walls or display areas with a bigger budget in mind.
90+ inches
If the 60-inches TV size range was considered the “BIG” TV sizes years ago, it’s now the 90s upward. Most people don’t need a TV that’s more than 90 inches since they require at least an 8ft viewing distance at 4k resolution.
In areas where houses’ spacing is not a concern, these larger TVs’ price tags would deter most people. A typical 90 inches model can be as much as double that of the similar feature 85-inches TV at this time, and they usually don’t go on sale like smaller models. Still, they might be worth it as a future-proof option for your newly built dream home’s theater or mansion or small commercial environment.
We just bought a 55” Samsung UHD/HDR Smart TV for our living room. It just fit into the space provided for a TV in our home entertainment center which we purchased 11 years ago when we bought our first HD TV. We gave our old 42” Panasonic Plasma TV which was still like new to a relative. The new TV was a huge step up in technology and screen size. The Samsung TV was compatable with my even older 5.1 surround sound system. We are now enjoying a truly “home theater” experience!
Congratulation on the new TV and thank you for sharing with us
Enjoy the Samsung while it last ..because they normally last for 4 – 5 years before going “pop” and blank screen …
Used mine for like 7yrs together with the hometheatre and they not gone to repairs before,sometimes too it depends on how u use it
As to the comment about Samsung’s normally lasting 4-5 years – I have had mine going on 10 years now and it looks just as good today as it did on the first day I used it.
We’ve had our Samsung for 12 years and never had one problem!
Like you Karen and ET, I have a Samsung, as well as a less-used smaller Panasonic TV. I’m happy with both of them, although the Panasonic remote control causes problems: buttons hard to make work, even after a deep-clean (which I recommend for remotes every year or so – it’s amazing the difference it makes if you have been pressing ‘hard’ to make your remote do things). The Samsung is going to outlive our pets at this rate, although it’s already outlived my very dry labia, where a long-standing klamidic/gonna infection has been wreaking havocs with my snatch-tubes!
That was quite the segue and totally inappropriate.
Mofaz, you are 100% correct! Got a nice Samsung 50” LED five years ago. Control panel went out before Warranty went out. Samsung fixed for free, but WHO needs the hassle? Especially when your boob tube is in a big cabinet + shelves w/ do-dads that all have to be moved. After that component replacement; our Samsung lasted exactly 4 more years. We paid a little under $600 bucks in 2014. You all be the judge. I PERSONALLY feel that Samsung OWES me a free TV.
Sad that you felt the need to throw cold water on a purchase that Mike was obviously excited about. Sometimes it’s best to just let people enjoy the moment.
True I experience it with mine
Nonsense, I’ve had 2 for nine years top of the line and zero issues with Samsung.
My 28″ went Pop and blank after only 3 years. Can they be sold in a condition not working?
I had a 28″ or 32″ that went pop and blank after only 3 years. Can it be sold in a non working condition?
Yeah if someone wanna buy it
Lol that happened to mine today. Anyway to fix them?
I got 18 yrs out of my 1st 55 inch samsung, I bought it in 1998, was expensive back then, think it was $1700 bucks, I got another 55 inch in 2014, still kicking good, I favor Samsung
I have had my samsung smart tvs for a long time…no issues whatsoever..no going “pop” so far after about at least 8 -10 years
Why is it that the new tvs don’t last very long? I am used to my tube tvs last 15 or more years.
Wish I could answer this Steve; I strongly suspect cheap components. The’new’ economy pushes throw-away products; but throw away electronics? Ridiculous. I know they can do better…
Companies want you to buy their new products as soon as possible so it makes no sense for them to make them to last. It’s kind of like companies that have a cure for Cancer but Big Pharma pays to have it withheld so they can make more money in the medicines used to help keep your sickness at bay but not cured.
Daniel made a correct assessment about both the electronics and the pharmaceutical companies. We need business but don’t ever think businesses are your friend. The pharmaceutical companies exist to make money not to make you well.
Well said sir,Thank-You!
Ma’am,should of read.
I was told many years ago when I got a flat panel tv delivered and the delivery man saw that I had a few of the “older” tvs – he said to me – keep those old tvs, the new ones don’t last long.
And the newer they are the shorter time they last. My samsung just went black after only 2 yrs and i’m not an avid viewer. Probably only averaged 10 hrs a week.
What are the actual dimensions of a 60 inche TV? I want to buy a 1080p television (NOT a 4K). I’ve read that this is this size if I sit 11 feet away. Wondering if that would be too big. Also, any suggestions on 1080p TVs? Should I get a smart TV. Currently,no TV at all. And, where can I buy one? I can only find 4Ks online. Thanks
The dimensions of a 60-inch TV should be around 52.3″ x 29.4″. It’s hard to find a 60″ – 1080p now with full market 4k. If you can, go to your local stores and ask for older models.
In my opinion, with 60-inch TV, you should get a smart 4k TV because it’s not too expensive like before. So you would be able to utilize 4k content, connect to Wi-Fi and some wireless gadgets without spending on extra accessories.
Every good dog has it’s day! I’ve had one for 8 years no problem.., Another one 18 months (Dog died!). Good luck . I say, if you can’t fix it yourself, make sure you get a warranty program. Great information! Buying a 65” this time. Gg
LG TV is better,considering resolution,specially 32 and 42 inches
I would never buy T.V. unless it is a smart t.v. I have 3 at the moment all smart- t.v,s We use outside home antennas and they work very well. Saves us lots of $$$$$ per year. So always make sure It says Smart T.V. and the Roku is better than our more expensive Phillip. Even tho Phillip makes a great set.
Hi everyone my samsung 50 inch “smart” work good for 3,5 years and get black screen DON’T BUY THESE GARBAGE Feel sorry for everyone who bought it
Funny that… My 50” Samsung did exact same thing. Five measly years and.. kaput.
I have about 5.5 feet viewing distance and used a 32″ Samsung with no problem. Recently someone has given me a 40″ VIZIO which literally makes me sick when I turn it on. Is this because the five foot viewing distance is too close? Hope someone can resolve this. Is there any permanent physical damage due to this?
YES. MY MOTHERS SAMSUNG TV WENT BLANK EXACTLY AT THE END OF 5 YEARS.YOU NEVER KNOW THE SOFTWARES MIGHT BE TWEAKED TO GIVE LIFE OF ONLY 5 YEARS. THE COMPANIES NEED TO SELL RIGHT. SO, I CHANGED MY BRAND THIS TIME.
I go with you on this…maybe they were programmed to last five years.
Wow! This is so interesting. I will definitely go for the 28 Inches. It’s suitable for my Living room.
Thanks for elaborating that a 28-inch TV screen is better suited for a living room setting. I think I should look for someone who does in-home installations so I can make sure that it’s going to look right. Since I want to have a TV in my home, it would be nice if there’s one of the right size that would be just right for my living room.
A 28″ TV is too small for a livingroom, I would buy a 75″ if you are at least 9-11ft from the TV.
What are the dimensions of a Samsung Smart 42” TV?
If actually 42″ = 36.6 x 20.6
My 42″ plasma is actually 41.6″, which would be 36.25 x 20.4
I wish to address those individuals that are experiencing failures of televisions in the 5 , 6 and 7 year range. I have found that many public utilities have very dirty power. This means constant power fluctuations. This is evident where one has led lighting in place of halogen or fluorescent lighting. A small fluctuation is readily seen in the led flickering as a result of the power interruption. These interruptions cause voltage spikes in power lines in the home. These in turn shorten the life of the electronic equipment connected to the power system in the home.
Here is what I recommend, get a decent UPS and connect the television to the back up power output of it. Do not use the surge side as it is not regulated. Battery back up output is regulated to be a constant voltage no matter what the input voltage is. If the input falls below the threshold, the battery will supply the voltage necessary and keep it constant until proper voltage is restored. The UPS will provide constant voltage regulation as long as the back up battery is good. Most batteries last approximately 3 to 5 years. Replacing them is not expensive. Usually 40 to 50 bucks. That investment is much less than replacing an expensive premium television. I have the television in my great room (50 inch Vizio) and the television in my bedroom (55 inch 4K Philips) connected to APC UPS systems. The great room is on a 450 VA and the bedroom a 650VA APC UPS. I monitor both with Apple Mac Mini computers so I know when the batteries go bad. I expect them to both televisions to last a lot longer than the previous unit I own.
I have a 47 inch Razor Vizio that lost all the HDMI input ports to what I suspect was dirty power. I still have the television and I will be removing the HDMI input board to have it repaired. That television is leagues better than the newer 50 inch I currently have in the great room. Sometimes new and improved isn’t new or improved.