Q&A for How to Measure a TV

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I have the width (16') and height (9') of a big screen for a projector. (1.) How do I determine the measurement for the diagonal and (2.) If the projector is 14' from the screen, what is the aspect ratio?

Community Answer

(1) Use the Pythagorean theorem. Diagonal is the square root of (height squared + width squared). If your measurements are exact, the diagonal is 18.4'. (2) Aspect ratio is the ratio of horizontal to vertical on the screen. This ratio does not change with viewing distance.

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Is it normal for a TV that says 55" to measure smaller diagonally?

Community Answer

A TV that says 55" should be 55" diagonally and there are no exceptions to that. Either you might be measuring the TV wrong or there was an external error.

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What is the exact width of a 60" TV?

Community Answer

It depends on the shape of the TV (i.e., square or rectangle) but most often it will be around 53"x28".

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Are there guidelines for how much distance there should be between the back of a TV and a wall?

Community Answer

Nowadays, not really. That was really more a concern for CRT's. Today's flat TVs really have no rear end. Check the manufacturer's instructions for any such specifics.

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Question

What size television should I buy to fit into a space 33.5" wide and 45" tall?

Community Answer

Using the Pythagorean theorem, the diagonal would be about 56 inches. You would be able to fit a 50 inch TV. 55 inches might be too big since there's an outer border you have to account for.

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I have a TV opening 32inches wide by 30 inches high - what size flat screen to buy?

Community Answer

Flat screens measure diagonally. Based on your amount of space, you'd need to keep the screen under 42".

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My cabinet space has a 37.25-inch opening. How big of TV can fit in there?

Community Answer

It depends on the height. Since TV's are rectangular, the screens are measured diagonally. If it's 37.25 inches tall and 37.25 inches wide, the biggest TV would probably be a 42-inch. But it will depend on the TV. Measure all dimensions of your cabinet -- height, width, and diagonal -- and use those to help you find your best fit.

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What size TV can fit on a stand that is 42 inches long?

Community Answer

It depends on whether it was designed for an old CRT TV or for the modern LED/LCD TVs which are quite a bit lighter in weight. It will also depend on the span of the feet on the new TV set. You shouldn't have any problem fitting a 50- 54" as long as the feet aren't too close to the edge. I wouldn't recommend any larger as it'll make the stand appear way undersized.

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We have a built a TV cabinet that is 35 inches by 39 and 1/2 inches. Could a 40 inch TV fit in there?

Community Answer

If you are trying to put the TV inside of the cabinet, no, it will not fit. It may fit on top if the base is smaller than the screen.

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Is a TV screen with a depth of five to six inches considered a flat screen TV?

CurtM

Community Answer

Yes; the "flat screen" designation refers only to the shape of the screen, which in this case is flat rather than convex, the way old TV screens used to be. Flat screen TVs have no standard depth, but most newer models are less than 3 inches thick without a stand.

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