Measure the distance from your eyes on the sofa to where the TV will go in centimetres and divide that number by 1.6. The result is the screen diagonal in centimetres that suits your room. Divide that by 2.54 and you have the size in inches. If you sit at 200 cm, you end up at about 49 inches. At 300 cm it is about 74 inches.
Why the viewing distance determines the size
We assume a viewing distance of about 1.6 times the screen diagonal. If you sit closer, your eyes have to scan the picture. If you sit further away, the screen soon feels small and you miss details.
That is why you start with the sofa and not with the TV. Your sofa stays where it is; you choose the TV to go with it. That way you avoid bringing home a screen that does not suit your room.
How to work it out yourself
Take a tape measure and measure from where your head is when you sit on the sofa to the wall or the piece of furniture where the TV will go. Note the distance in centimetres. Then calculate in two steps:
- In centimetres: divide the distance by 1.6. That gives you the screen diagonal in cm.
- In inches: divide the screen diagonal in cm by 2.54. That gives you the screen diagonal in inches.
An example: you measure 270 cm. Divided by 1.6, that is a screen diagonal of about 169 cm. Divided by 2.54, that is about 66 inches. That exact size does not exist, so you choose the size closest to it: 65 inches. As a reminder: 1 inch is 2.54 cm. TVs are sold by inches, which is why you convert the centimetres to inches as the last step.
Table: TV size per viewing distance
If you would rather not calculate, use this guide. For each distance you see the result of the rule of thumb, rounded to whole inches. Choose the TV size closest to it that suits your room and your furniture.
- 150 cm: about 37 inches
- 175 cm: about 43 inches
- 200 cm: about 49 inches
- 225 cm: about 55 inches
- 250 cm: about 62 inches
- 275 cm: about 68 inches
- 300 cm: about 74 inches
At a distance of 200 cm, for example, the Salora 50QLEDTV fits, because the rule of thumb comes out at about 49 inches. If you sit at 250 to 275 cm, the Salora SMART65TV is a logical step. For a smaller room or a bedroom at about 175 cm, you end up with a set like the Salora 43QLEDTV.
Resolution matters less than you think
You might think that with 4K you can sit closer to the screen. In research on viewing distance, the resolution, Full HD or 4K, had little effect on the distance people chose. Screen size is what determines it. So first choose the size based on your distance, and only then look at the picture technology.
If you want to know the difference between the various picture types, read our article on QLED, Full HD and 4K explained.
Check the width of your TV cabinet
The size in inches is the diagonal of the screen, not the width. So a TV is wider than you would expect from the number of inches. That is why you should also measure your TV cabinet or the space on the wall.
A few widths from our range for comparison:
- Salora 43QLEDTV, 43 inches: 96.5 cm wide
- Salora 50QLEDTV, 50 inches: 112 cm wide
- Salora 55QLEDTV, 55 inches: 123.4 cm wide
- Salora SMART65TV, 65 inches: 145.3 cm wide
One more point to watch: new TVs have narrower bezels than old TVs. A new TV with the same number of inches therefore often looks smaller than your old set. If you are torn between two sizes and the larger one fits on your furniture, that is a good reason to take it.
From measurement to choice
With your viewing distance and the width of your furniture, you have everything you need. Choose the size from the table, check that the width fits and then look at the models in that size in our televisions category. We always deliver free of charge, so your new TV arrives at your home at no extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
What size TV suits a viewing distance of 3 metres?
At 300 cm you end up at about 74 inches. If you divide 300 by 1.6 you get a screen diagonal of 187.5 cm, and divided by 2.54 that is about 74 inches.
How do I calculate the right TV size?
Measure the distance from your eyes on the sofa to the TV in centimetres and divide by 1.6. The result is the screen diagonal in centimetres. Divide that by 2.54 and you get the size in inches.
Can I sit closer with a 4K TV?
In research on viewing distance, the resolution had little effect on the distance people found comfortable. Screen size is decisive, so choose the size based on your distance.
Is the size in inches the width of the TV?
No, the size in inches is the diagonal of the screen. A 55-inch TV such as the Salora 55QLEDTV is 123.4 cm wide, so also measure your TV cabinet.
Why does my new TV look smaller than my old one?
New TVs have narrower bezels than old TVs. As a result, a new TV with the same number of inches often looks smaller than the set you had.
Which size suits a distance of 200 cm?
At 200 cm you end up at about 49 inches: 200 divided by 1.6 is 125 cm, and 125 divided by 2.54 is about 49 inches. A 50-inch set, such as the Salora 50QLEDTV, is the closest.
