How to Measure the Size of a TV Screen

Last Updated: December 14, 2021

Measuring a TV screen is a really simple activity that will only take a few minutes. It's useful knowing the size for the sake of knowing whether a new TV is going to be able to handle your favorite movies and sports games the best possible. If you also measure the TV as a whole, this can be useful for knowing whether the whole unit will fit into a space in your home and for those times when you're considering building something to house or cover the TV. Both options are provided here.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Measuring the screen only

1
Place the tape measure or measuring stick in the lower left hand corner of the TV's screen.
2
Be sure to start measuring where the actual screen begins, not from the plastic frame of the TV (known as the bevel).
3
Extend your tape measure or measuring stick to the upper right hand corner of the TV screen (diagonally from where you started).
4
Record the length between these two corners. This is the screen's size.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Measuring the entire TV

1
Place the tape measure or measuring stick in the lower left hand corner of the edge of the TV. This time, be sure to start measuring where the actual edge of the TV begins, which includes the plastic frame of the TV (known as the bevel).
2
Extend your tape measure or measuring stick to the lower right hand corner of the TV's edge, straight across the base of the TV.
3
Record the length between these two corners. Do the same from the base to the top corners of the TV. Both measurements together provide the width and length for the whole TV, from which measurements you can then work out whether or not the entire TV will fit a space or use the measurements to build a cover or container for it.