how do they measure tvs
TVs are measured by their screen size diagonally across the visible display area, excluding the bezel or frame. This standard practice, rooted in the CRT era, simplifies comparisons across aspect ratios like 16:9. Manufacturers use precise tools like calipers or laser measures during production to ensure accuracy.
Measurement Method
The size label (e.g., 55-inch) refers strictly to the diagonal length from one corner to the opposite corner of the screen itself. Width and height vary by aspect ratio—for a 16:9 TV, width is roughly 87% of the diagonal, height about 49%. This excludes bezels, stands, or overall cabinet dimensions, which are listed separately in specs.
Why Diagonal?
Diagonal measurement became standard because early TVs had varying width-to- height ratios, but diagonal stayed consistent for the same "viewing area." Forums like Reddit note it avoids confusion: giving width x height (e.g., 1920x1080 pixels) wouldn't convey physical size directly. It's an industry norm from VESA and CEA standards.
Common Sizes Table
Here's a reference for popular TV sizes with approximate dimensions (16:9 aspect ratio, screen only).
| TV Size (inches) | Width (inches) | Height (inches) | Viewing Distance (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 29.5 | 18 | 4.4 |
| 55 | 50 | 29 | 7.6 |
| 65 | 57 | 32.5 | 8.9 |
| 75 | 66 | 37.5 | 10.3 |
Pro Tips for Buyers
- Measure your space : Include bezel (0.5-2 inches total) and stand depth for fit.
- Viewing distance : Rule of thumb is 1.2x diagonal in inches, converted to feet (e.g., 65" TV ≈ 8-9 ft).
- Forum chatter : Users on Reddit debate why not metric (cm), but inches persist due to US market dominance—global shift unlikely soon.
TL;DR : Diagonal screen-only measurement in inches; check full dims for setup. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
