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How big is a 50-inch TV? Dimensions and the small living room fit

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

A 50-inch (127 cm) 16:9 TV screen is about 110.7 cm (43.58 inches)43.58 inches (110.7 cm) wide and 62.3 cm (24.51 inches)24.51 inches (62.3 cm) tall. The frame adds a little to the full TV size, so check the spec sheet before you pick the space.

The 50" 16:9 TV panel next to a 55" 16:9 reference

Drawn to scale so you can see the size difference at a glance

50" 16:9 TV: 110.7 cm (43.6 in)43.6 in (110.7 cm) × 62.3 cm (24.5 in)24.5 in (62.3 cm) · 6892 cm² (1068 in²)1068 in² (6892 cm²)
55" 16:9: 121.8 cm (47.9 in)47.9 in (121.8 cm) × 68.5 cm (27.0 in)27.0 in (68.5 cm) · 8339 cm² (1293 in²)1293 in² (8339 cm²)
Width difference: 11.1 cm (4.4 in)4.4 in (11.1 cm) (10.0%) · Height difference: 6.2 cm (2.5 in)2.5 in (6.2 cm) (10.0%) · Area ratio: 1.21×
Both panels share a corner and are drawn at the same scale, so the extra width and height of the larger screen are true to size. Open these two in the full Screen Size Comparison ›
This exact 50″ vs 55″ overlay, pre-loaded. Swap the reference, change either panel, or flip units.
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A 50-inch 16:9 TV measures 110.7 cm (43.58 inches)43.58 inches (110.7 cm) wide by 62.3 cm (24.51 inches)24.51 inches (62.3 cm) tall, with about 6892 cm² (1068 square inches)1068 square inches (6892 cm²) of screen. It's the small living room pick. It fits a modest wall or a corner unit and still gives a clear step up from the 43. That's 35% more area than a 43-inch.

Dimensions
110.7 cm × 62.3 cm43.6" × 24.5"
43.6" × 24.5"110.7 cm × 62.3 cm
Screen area
1068 sq in
6892 cm²
Aspect ratio
16:9
127.0 cm (50") diagonal50" (127.0 cm) diagonal

How this is calculated

Think of 50 as the size that fits a modest wall, a corner unit or a shelf with some room to spare. The diagonal, 127 cm, is the number on the box, and the 16:9 shape turns it into 110.7 cm across and 62.3 cm up. Check that width against your space, not the diagonal. A 55-inch needs 11.1 cm more width than this.

Verdict

Buy 50 inches when the sofa sits about 2.1 m (6.8 ft)6.8 ft (2.1 m) back or closer and the wall or cabinet can't take a 55. The panel measures 110.7 cm (43.58 in)43.58 in (110.7 cm) by 62.3 cm (24.51 in)24.51 in (62.3 cm), or about 6892 cm² (1068 in²)1068 in² (6892 cm²) of picture.

Stepping up from a 43 gives 35% more picture, and that's easy to see from the sofa. At 4K the panel gives 88 PPI. From the 40 degree seat of 1.5 m (5.0 ft)5.0 ft (1.5 m), the pixels blur into one picture.

Going up to 55 adds 21% more area for 4.4 inches more width.

More Screen Size scenarios

24" 16:9 monitor
The classic desktop size: big enough for a browser plus sidebar, and it fits on any desk.
View details
27" 16:9 monitor
A 27-inch 16:9 monitor measures 23.53 inches (59.8 cm) wide by 13.24 inches (33.6 cm) tall, giving you about 312 square inches (2010 cm²) of screen area, excluding the bezel.
View details
32" 16:9 monitor
A 32-inch 16:9 monitor measures 27.89 inches (70.8 cm) wide by 15.69 inches (39.8 cm) tall, giving you about 438 square inches (2823 cm²) of screen area.
View details

Related guides

Screen size chart
Every size in this series in one table, in inches and cm.
View guide
43-inch TV size
The smaller neighbor for bedrooms, kitchens and desks.
View guide
55-inch TV size
The next size up, with PPI and seat details.
View guide

Frequently asked questions

Is a 50-inch TV big enough for a living room?
Yes, for a living room where the seat sits within about 2.1 m (6.8 ft)6.8 ft (2.1 m) of the screen. A sofa farther back than that calls for a 55-inch, whose 30 degree seat sits at 2.3 m (7.5 ft)7.5 ft (2.3 m).
How far should I sit from a 50-inch TV?
Sit between 1.5 m (5.0 ft)5.0 ft (1.5 m) and 2.1 m (6.8 ft)6.8 ft (2.1 m) away. The first is the 40 degree THX reference, and the second is the 30 degree SMPTE reference, so anything in that range gives a standard living room view.
What TV stand width do I need for a 50-inch TV?
Get the stand or console width from the TV's spec sheet, and make sure it's at least as wide as the whole set. The screen is 43.6 inches across. The frame adds a bit to that. A stand narrower than the TV leaves the edges hanging over.
Should I get a 50-inch or a 55-inch TV?
If the wall or cabinet has room for the 55's 47.9 inches of screen width plus the frame, go with the 55. If not, a 50 still gives a clear step up from a 43 and fits a tighter space.

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