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Is that TV too big? Here’s how to figure out the perfect TV size using a simple formula

AnyFans 2025-09-20

By Michael Desjardin

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Why is it a problem if a TV is too big?
Watching a TV that’s too big is problematic for the same reason it can be a massive bummer to sit in the front row at a movie theater. If your eyes have to frequently move around to take it all in, you’re bound to miss some the details. Worse, you might end up with eye strain.

Depending on your living space, it’s possible that even 65 inches is too big.
This is especially true for fast-paced content like sports and action movies, where the camera is more likely to whip around. And video games? Forget it. I once gave made myself sick by playing a first-person shooter in front of an 85-inch TV at a press event, and let me tell you: I learned my lesson.
I readily admit that there’s something undeniably appealing about a big, honkin’ screen, but depending on your living space, it’s possible that 65 inches is too big. The secret lies in a simple formula.
How to pick the right TV size

(Image credit: Samsung)
First, let’s talk about screen resolution. If you’re shopping above 42-inches, 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) is a must. If you’re on the hunt for a TV as small as 32 inches to put in the corner of your kitchen, you should stick to full-HD displays (1920 x 1080 pixels). This is because, at sizes that small, the advantages of 4K resolution aren’t as visually apparent.

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When helping folks shop for a TV, my colleagues and I here at Tom’s Guide follow a simple formula for finding that screen-size sweet spot. It’s based on A/V giant THX’s recommendation that a home entertainment display fills between 25% and 40% of a viewer’s vision.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Distance from TV

Minimum screen size

Maximum screen size

Between 2 and 3 feet

Between 4 and 5 feet

Between 6 and 7 feet

Between 8 and 9 feet

Between 10 and 12 feet

If you think you’re in between two potential sweet spots, it’s fine to err on the larger of the two screen sizes. However, bigger does not always equal better. If a 55- or 65-inch TV makes the most sense for your living space, dragging a 75- or 85-inch TV into that space could lead to an overwhelming viewing experience.
Are bigger screens better for 8K?

(Image credit: Future)
8K resolution (7680 x 4320 pixels) is here, but you won’t find much in the way of native 8K content. Nor will you find very many 8K TVs on shelves. As this article was published, the only 8K TV new for 2025 is the Samsung QN990F.

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At the proper viewing distance, a larger-size screen might be more visually appealing for 8K content, given the sheer density of pixels associated with 8K resolution.

Samsung 65″ QN990F 8K Neo QLED TV: was $5,499 now $5,299 at Best Buy
The 65-inch version of the 8K QN990F is the smallest size in the series, but it’ll still set you back over $5,000. Nevertheless, anyone in the market for an all-new 8K TV will have no choice but to indulge in Samsung’s sensational Neo QLED, as it’s the only one of its kind this year. This is a bright, bold Mini-LED TV with a laundry list of extra features.

Before you splash out on a would-be TV of the future, remember that all sub-8K content is upscaled to 8K on a TV like the QN990F. And, since almost no 8K native content is available across streaming platforms or on store shelves, it’s not exactly easy to appreciate this TV in its fullest.
In general, whether it’s 8K resolution or an 85-inch screen, things that seem inherently better or bigger aren’t always ideal. Take some time to consider your living space before dropping a wad of dough on a TV that might give you a headache.
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Michael Desjardin

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Senior Editor, TV

Michael Desjardin is a Senior Editor for TVs at Tom’s Guide. He’s been testing and tinkering with TVs professionally for over a decade, previously for Reviewed and USA Today. Michael graduated from Emerson College where he studied media production and screenwriting. He loves cooking, zoning out to ambient music, and getting way too invested in the Red Sox. He considers himself living proof that TV doesn’t necessarily rot your brain.

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