TV Size Calculator: What Size TV Should You Buy?
"Should I get the 55 or the 65?" It's the question everyone asks in the TV aisle — and most people guess wrong. Too small and movies feel flat; too big and you'll see every pixel (especially on 1080p).
This calculator uses the same screen-height rule home theater pros rely on: for 4K, sit about 1.5x the screen height away; for 1080p, about 3x. Enter your viewing distance and resolution, and we'll tell you the ideal screen size range — then show you the best-rated TVs in that size on Amazon.
What Size TV Should You Buy?
Tell us how far you sit and your TV’s resolution — we’ll work out the ideal screen size using the screen-height rule the pros use.
Your ideal TV size
This uses the classic screen-height rule — sit about 1.5x the screen height away for 4K, or 3x for 1080p. That lands you near a 30-degree field of view, the SMPTE guideline for an immersive picture without eye strain. Go bigger if you love cinema feel; smaller if the room is bright.
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Frequently asked questions
What size TV should I get for 8 feet away?
At 8 feet with a 4K TV, the sweet spot is roughly 60-70 inches diagonal — so shop the 65-inch class. With 1080p at the same distance, you’d want around 40-45 inches, which is why resolution matters so much in this calculation.
Is it bad to sit too close to a big TV?
On a 4K TV, not really — the high pixel density means you can sit closer without seeing pixels, which is more immersive. On 1080p, sitting closer than about 3x the screen height can reveal pixel structure and cause eye fatigue.
What does the 30-degree viewing angle guideline mean?
SMPTE recommends your TV fill about 30 degrees of your field of view for an immersive experience — roughly like sitting in the middle rows of a cinema. Our calculator’s 1.5x/3x screen-height rules land you right around that angle.
Should I choose 4K or 8K?
For almost everyone, 4K. 8K content is still scarce, 8K panels cost far more, and at normal viewing distances most eyes can’t tell the difference. Put the savings toward a bigger 4K screen or better sound instead.
How high should I mount my TV?
Eye level from your main seat should hit about one-third up from the bottom of the screen — usually 42-48 inches from floor to screen center for sofa seating. Tilting mounts help if you’re mounting above a fireplace.