How is TV size measured?

TV size is measured as the diagonal length of the screen panel only, from one corner of the visible screen to the opposite corner, not including the bezel or frame. This measurement is always in inches, regardless of where the TV is sold. A 65-inch TV has a screen diagonal of 65 inches but its overall physical width including the bezel and stand is typically 57 to 59 inches.

How do I measure my TV to find out the size?

To measure your TV size, use a tape measure diagonally from the top-left corner of the visible screen to the bottom-right corner, or from the top-right to the bottom-left. Measure only the visible screen area, not the bezel or frame. The measurement in inches is the TV screen size. If your screen is a 16:9 aspect ratio, you can also calculate the diagonal from the width or height measurement.

What is the difference between screen size and TV size?

Screen size and TV size refer to the same measurement: the diagonal of the visible screen. The physical TV dimensions (width, height, depth including the frame and stand) are always larger than the screen size. A 65-inch TV has a screen diagonal of 65 inches but an overall body width of approximately 57 to 59 inches and an overall height including stand of approximately 37 to 42 inches.

How to Measure TV Size: Screen Diagonal, Width & Height Explained

Quick Reference · 2026

How to Measure TV Size: The Complete Answer

TV size is the diagonal of the screen, measured corner to corner, not including the frame. Here is exactly how to measure it, why the advertised size differs from the physical TV dimensions, and how to calculate width and height from the diagonal.

📐 How to measure correctly🧮 Diagonal formula📺 Width and height from size

The Definition

What TV size actually means

TV size is the diagonal measurement of the visible screen panel only, measured in inches. It does not include the bezel (frame), stand, or any other part of the physical TV body. This is an industry-wide standard that applies to every TV sold globally.

The diagonal from corner to corner of the visible screen is the TV's advertised size.

How to Measure

Step-by-step: measuring your TV screen

Locate the visible screen corners

Find the four corners of the visible screen area. This is the edge of the picture, not the edge of the plastic bezel. On most modern TVs the bezel is very thin (2 to 8mm), so the screen corner is almost at the outer edge of the TV body.

Place the tape measure at one corner

Place the start of a tape measure at the top-left corner of the visible screen. Extend it diagonally to the bottom-right corner, keeping the tape across the face of the screen.

Read the measurement

The measurement at the bottom-right corner in inches is your TV size. A result of approximately 55, 65, 75, or 85 inches confirms the nominal size. Measurements are slightly under the nominal due to rounding: a “65-inch” TV typically measures 64.5 to 65.3 inches diagonally.

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Check the label instead: The easiest way to find your TV size is the model number sticker on the back of the TV. The model number almost always contains the screen size as a two or three digit number (e.g., UN65, 65QNED, OLED65). Your TV manual or the manufacturer website will confirm the exact screen size from the model number.

Calculations

Width and height from the diagonal

All modern TVs use a 16:9 aspect ratio. This means the relationship between diagonal, width, and height is fixed. You can calculate any dimension from any other.

Width = diagonal × 0.872 Height = diagonal × 0.490

TV Size	Screen Width	Screen Height	Typical body width
43"	37.5" / 95 cm	21.1" / 53 cm	~38–40"
50"	43.6" / 111 cm	24.5" / 62 cm	~44–46"
55"	47.9" / 122 cm	26.9" / 68 cm	~49–51"
65"	56.7" / 144 cm	31.9" / 81 cm	~57–59"
75"	65.4" / 166 cm	36.8" / 94 cm	~66–68"
85"	74.1" / 188 cm	41.7" / 106 cm	~75–77"

The “typical body width” column is the physical TV width including the bezel and frame. This is the measurement you need when fitting a TV into an entertainment unit or alcove. Always use the manufacturer's specified dimensions for the exact model you are buying, since bezel widths vary.

Use your TV size in the calculator

Enter your screen size to find the ideal viewing distance and mount height for your room.

Viewing Distance Calculator TV Dimensions Chart

FAQ

Common questions: measuring TV size

TV size (the diagonal screen measurement) has nothing to do with the stand. The stand is not included in the screen size measurement. The stand does affect the overall height of the TV when placed on a surface, but this does not change the screen size. When manufacturers specify TV dimensions they usually give separate measurements for “with stand” and “without stand.”

TV sizes are nominal, not exact. A “65-inch” TV typically measures between 64.5 and 65.5 inches diagonally. Manufacturers round to the nearest standard size increment. This is consistent across all TV brands and has been standard practice for decades. The difference from the nominal size is never more than half an inch and has no practical effect on viewing distance calculations.

Check the model number sticker on the back of the TV. The model number usually contains the screen size as a two or three digit number. For example: Samsung UN65 = 65-inch, LG OLED55 = 55-inch, Sony XR75 = 75-inch. If you have the original packaging or manual, the screen size is printed on the box and the spec sheet. Searching the model number on the manufacturer's website will also confirm the exact screen size.

TV sizes are always specified in inches globally, including in countries that use metric measurements. A 65-inch TV is always called 65 inches, not 165 cm. Some European retailers display both the inch size and the approximate centimetre equivalent in the product listing, but the inch measurement is the standard across the industry. To convert: multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimetres. A 65-inch screen is 65 × 2.54 = 165.1 cm diagonal.