50 Inch TV Size and Dimensions

How to use the 50 Inch TV Dimensions Tool

1. Check the “TV size (diagonal)” field. It is set to 50 in by default. Choose a unit from in, cm, mm or ft if you want a different one.
2. Look at “Screen shape (width:height)”. It is set to 16:9 by default. You can pick 21:9, 4:3 or 16:10. Note that 21:9 is treated as exactly 21:9.
3. For a shape not in the list, choose the custom option and type your numbers in “Shape, width part” and “Shape, height part”.
4. If you want an outer size, type a figure in “Bezel allowance (each side)”. It is 0 by default. A value such as 0.5 in adds twice that amount to the width and to the height.
5. Open More options and type a figure in “Extra width for stand or cabinet” if you want to plan for a stand or cabinet. It is 0 by default.
6. Read the screen width, height and area. If you entered a bezel allowance, the “Outer size with your bezel allowance” row appears. The “Width to plan for (outer width + extra)” row shows the outer width plus your extra width.
7. Scroll to the viewing-distance and mounting-height tables. Each row names its source.

The presets are quick starting points: “50 in, 16:9”, “With 0.5 in bezel”, “21:9, same diagonal”, “4:3, same diagonal” and “Next size up: 55 in”. Choose one, then change any field to test your own figures.

How is the width and height of a 50 inch TV calculated?

The width and height come from the diagonal and the screen shape, using Pythagoras’ rule: the diagonal squared equals the width squared plus the height squared. For a shape a:b, width = diagonal × a ÷ √(a² + b²) and height = diagonal × b ÷ √(a² + b²).

For a 16:9 screen with a 50 in diagonal, √(16² + 9²) = √337 ≈ 18.36. So the width is 50 × 16 ÷ 18.36 = 43.58 in, and the height is 50 × 9 ÷ 18.36 = 24.51 in. Check the result: 43.58² + 24.51² ≈ 2,500, which is 50². The area is width × height, so 43.58 × 24.51 = 1,068 in². That is 7.418 ft² or 0.6892 m².

Why is the listed size of a 50 inch TV not the full size of the set?

The numbers describe only the visible screen. A TV maker’s support page says the listed size excludes the frame or bezel, and a retailer’s guide says it excludes the bezel, casing and stand. A real set is therefore larger than the figures shown, and its depth depends on the model, the stand or wall mount, and the connections. The tool does not calculate depth.

A “class” size can also be slightly smaller than its label. A retailer’s guide gives a 55-class screen of about 54.6 in as an example. A reference page says class sizes should be within 1/2 in of the actual size.

Published figures can differ from the geometry too. A reference page’s rounded table lists 43.7 × 24.41 in for 16:9. The screen-only calculation gives 43.58 × 24.51 in, a difference of 0.12 in in width and 0.10 in in height. Differences of up to about 1 in appear between sources. A 50 in screen has 35.21% more area than a 43 in screen of the same shape. The page shows these figures side by side and does not average them.

Sources (checked 16 October 2026): support.tcl.com · blog.bestbuy.ca · en.wikipedia.org · samsung.com · us.dynabook.com · benq.com · blog.sanus.com · bobvila.com · slashgear.com · nist.gov · blog.bestbuy.ca · samsung.com

Worked examples

Calculated by the tool above; open it with the same values to see each step.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 50 inch TV 50 inches wide?

No. The 50 inches is the diagonal, the distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. At the 16:9 shape, the width is 43.58 in.

What are the width and height of a 50 inch TV screen?

At 16:9, the visible screen is 43.58 × 24.51 in, or 110.7 × 62.26 cm, as calculated from your inputs. The tool recalculates these figures when you change the shape or the diagonal.

How far should I sit from a 50 inch TV?

The sources on the page give different answers. A manufacturer guide gives 1.2 to 1.9 times the screen size, which is 5 ft 0 in to 7 ft 11 in. A TV maker’s guide gives 1.2 times, or 5 ft 0 in. A 40° viewing angle gives 5 ft 0 in, a 36° angle gives 5 ft 7 in, and a 26° angle gives 7 ft 10 in. Each is shown separately.

How high should I mount a 50 inch TV?

A mount maker’s guide and a home-improvement guide use 42 in for the screen center from the floor. For this screen, that puts the bottom edge at 29.74 in and the top edge at 54.26 in. A tech-site guide lists 38, 40 and 42 in for low, regular and high mounts, and about 50 in for a bedroom. A retailer’s table lists 56 in for 43 in screens up to 67 in for 70 in screens but has no 50 in row, so no retailer row appears for this size. The sources differ, and the page lists each separately.

Does the 50 inch size include the bezel and stand?

No. The listed size is the visible screen, and the bezel and stand add to the outer size. To plan for a stand or cabinet, type a figure in “Extra width for stand or cabinet” and read “Width to plan for (outer width + extra)”.

Will a 50 inch TV fit my cabinet or wall space?

The tool does not say whether a TV will fit a space or a stand. It calculates from the values you enter. Measure the set itself and the space you plan to use.

Related tools

• TV Sizes and Dimensions: use when you want every TV size tool and guide in one place.
• TV Size Chart: use when you want 50 in next to every other listed size.
• TV Dimensions: use when you want to type your own diagonal or screen shape.
• TV Viewing Distance Calculator: use when you want the seat distances sources give for a screen.
• TV Mounting Height Calculator: use when you want the mounting heights sources give for a screen.
• 43 Inch TV Dimensions: use when you want to compare 50 in with the size just below it.
• 55 Inch TV Dimensions: use when you are looking at the “Next size up: 55 in” preset in full.
• 60 Inch TV Dimensions: use when you want to see two sizes up from 50 in.