Key Takeaways
- When comparing flat screen TV sizes, consider your available space, viewing distance and whether you plan to use a stand or wall mount.
- To determine what size TV to get, measure your available wall or furniture space and consider how far you’ll typically sit from the screen.
- Knowing how to measure a flat screen TV can help ensure your new TV fits your wall, TV stand or entertainment center.
- Compare TV screen types, including LED, OLED and QLED, along with resolution, refresh rate and HDR to find the right picture for your viewing needs.
- When deciding what to look for when buying a TV, consider how you’ll use it and which connections, gaming features and smart capabilities matter most.
Choosing the Right TV for Your Home
If you’re renovating your living room, moving into a newly built home or just looking to upgrade, you might be in the market for a new flat screen TV. The size of the room, how much space you have for the TV and how you’ll use it are the main factors that can help determine the best flat screen TV for you.
What Size TV Do I Need?
Flat screen TV sizes range from 32 inches or smaller to 80 inches or larger. One that's too large can overwhelm a space, and one that's too small will be difficult for everyone in the room to view. If you’re wondering, “What size TV do I need?” consider both the available wall or furniture space and how far you’ll typically sit from the screen.
Choose a TV size based on your available space and typical viewing distance. Larger screens generally work best when viewed from farther away, but screen resolution, viewing preferences and how you use the TV can also affect a comfortable viewing distance. You’ll also need to think about whether the TV will sit on a stand or be mounted on the wall or the ceiling. If you’re mounting the TV, you may be able to fit a larger model since you won’t need a TV or furniture to support it.
Common flat screen TV sizes include 55-inch and 65-inch models, but the right choice depends on your room, viewing distance and budget. A quick way to estimate what size TV you need is to calculate with this formula:
Viewing distance ÷ 1.5 = approximate TV screen size. For example, if you’re sitting 8 feet from the TV:
8 feet × 12 = 96 inches
96 ÷ 1.5 = 64 inches
So, a 65-inch TV would be a reasonable starting point. Below is a quick chart for DIY reference.
| Viewing Distance | Approximate TV Size |
| 5 feet | 40 inches |
| 6 feet | 48 inches |
| 7 feet | 55 inches |
| 8 feet | 65 inches |
| 9 feet | 72 inches |
| 10 feet | 80 inches |
It should be noted that there isn’t one universally accepted formula for viewing distances. Viewing distances are based on based on screen resolution, personal preference and how immersive you want the picture to feel. With today's 4K TVs, you can generally sit closer to a larger screen without noticing individual pixels.
How to Measure a Flat Screen TV
Knowing how to measure a flat screen TV can help you determine whether a particular model will fit your wall, TV stand or entertainment center. Manufacturers list TV screen size as the diagonal measurement of the screen, measured from one corner to the opposite corner, which doesn’t include the bezel or frame.
Before buying, measure your available space, allowing room for a stand or mounting hardware, cables and any clearance recommended by the manufacturer. Check that against the new TV’s height, width and depth in the product specifications.
TV Resolution: 4K, 8K and More
The native resolution of a TV describes the number of pixels that make up its display, typically expressed as horizontal pixels by vertical pixels. A higher resolution can provide greater image detail, particularly on larger screens or at closer viewing distances. Image resolution refers to the resolution of what's transmitted to the TV.
This means you can have an 8K TV, but a television channel or streaming app may provide content in only 4K. Some TVs can upscale lower-resolution content to better match the screen’s native resolution, although upscaling doesn’t add the same detail as content originally produced at the higher resolution.
4K TVs are far more affordable than they once were and offer a higher resolution than full HD or 1080p TVs. There are also 8K TVs on the market that offer a higher native resolution than 4K models, though available 8K content is more limited, and these TVs typically cost more.
TV Screen Types: LED, OLED and QLED
When comparing TV screen types, all the acronyms can get a little confusing. Understanding how LED, OLED (right) and QLED differ can make it easier to narrow your choices and decide what to look for when buying a TV.
LED TVs
An LED TV typically uses an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel illuminated by an LED backlight. LED TVs are widely available in different sizes and price ranges, making them an option for many rooms and budgets.
OLED TVs
OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. Unlike an LED-backlit LCD, an OLED TV display uses self-emissive pixels that can individually produce light and turn off completely. This allows OLED TVs to produce deep black levels and strong contrast. OLED TVs have a thin profile and can provide excellent picture quality, but they’re typically more expensive than standard LED TVs.
QLED TVs
QLED generally refers to an LED-backlit LCD TV that uses a quantum-dot layer to enhance color and brightness. Quantum dots help the display produce vivid, saturated colors, particularly at higher brightness levels. A QLED TV can produce rich, vivid images and is available at a range of prices.
What to Look for When Buying a TV for Gaming and Entertainment
How you plan to use your TV will affect the features you want it to have. When deciding what to look for when buying a TV, consider how many devices you plan to connect and whether you’ll use the television primarily for everyday viewing, streaming, gaming, movies or sports.
If gaming is important to you, look for HDMI inputs that support features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM can automatically switch the TV to a low-latency setting, while VRR helps match the display's refresh rate to the game's frame rate for smoother gameplay.
Flat screen TVs also have USB ports that allow you to connect compatible storage devices and certain accessories. Blu-ray players and most sound bars, however, typically connect through HDMI or other audio/video connections.
TV Features
Now that you know what to look for when buying a TV, and after you’ve compared the different flat screen TV sizes, resolution and TV screen types, think about the features that can make the TV work better with your room and entertainment setup.
Wall Mount
If you plan to mount your new flat screen TV on the wall, make sure it's designed for wall mounting. Also ensure that you choose a TV mount that's compatible with the TV's VESA mounting pattern and rated to support its size and weight. Follow the TV and mount manufacturer’s instructions for mounting location, hardware and installation.
Smart TV and Smart-Home Compatibility
Most TVs now include smart features and Wi-Fi compatibility. Compare operating systems, available streaming apps and smart-home compatibility when choosing a model. Check to see if the TV is compatible with specific smart devices, such as Amazon Alexa, if that's important to you.
Refresh Rate
A TV refresh rate is how many times per second the screen updates the image, measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the motion in TV shows, movies and video games can appear on the screen. Compare the TV’s native refresh rate based on how you plan to use it. A 60 Hz refresh rate can work well for everyday viewing, while 120 Hz or higher may be useful for gaming, sports and other fast-moving content.
HDR Compatible
High dynamic range (HDR) can improve picture quality by displaying a wider range of brightness, contrast and color when you're watching compatible HDR content. HDR performance varies by TV, so brightness and overall picture quality are also worth considering.
Find the Right Flat Screen TV for Your Space
Whether it’s movie night, gaming or everyday viewing, having the right TV matters. When you’re looking to buy a new flat screen TV, choosing the right one comes down to finding the size, screen type and features that work best for your room and the way you like to watch. Lowe’s can help you find the right TV for any room in your home. Shop online or visit your local Lowe’s to get started.