Short answer: for a 4K TV, choose a screen roughly half to two-thirds of your viewing distance. Sitting about 2 m away suits 43–55 inches; about 2.5–3 m suits 55–65 inches; 3 m or more suits 65–75 inches.
TV size and viewing distance chart
| Viewing distance | Recommended 4K size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1.5 m | 32–43 in | Bedrooms, kitchens, small rooms |
| 1.5–2 m | 43–50 in | Small living rooms |
| 2–2.5 m | 50–55 in | The most popular UK size |
| 2.5–3 m | 55–65 in | Average living rooms |
| 3 m + | 65–75 in+ | Large rooms, home cinema |
How to measure your room
- Measure from your eyes, seated, to where the screen will be.
- Measure the width of your TV stand or wall space — a TV’s width is about 87% of its diagonal size.
- Check the stand feet: some TVs have feet at the edges and need a wide unit.
- If wall mounting, check the VESA pattern and weight.
Screen size in centimetres
| Size | Approx. width | Approx. height |
|---|---|---|
| 43 in | 95 cm | 54 cm |
| 50 in | 111 cm | 62 cm |
| 55 in | 122 cm | 68 cm |
| 65 in | 144 cm | 81 cm |
| 75 in | 166 cm | 93 cm |
Widths are for the screen only; the frame and stand add a little. Always check the manufacturer’s exact dimensions.
Can a TV be too big?
If you sit very close, you may see motion artefacts and need to move your eyes around the screen. But most buyers err on the small side — if you are between two sizes, the larger one is usually the better choice.
FAQ
What size TV is most popular in the UK?
55 inches is a very common choice for UK living rooms.
Is 43 inch too small for a living room?
It can work in a small room if you sit within about 1.5–2 m. Further away, 50–55 inches is usually better.
Does resolution change the right size?
Yes. With 4K you can sit closer to a larger screen than with Full HD without seeing pixels.
Next: read our smart TV buying guide.