42 inch TV dimensions

How big is a 42 inch TV really? Width, height and diagonal, the right viewing distance and the room size you need – and how it looks on your own wall.

Dimensions

36.6" × 20.6"

42" Diagonal

Viewing Distance

Daily

5.2 ft

Immersive (Cinema)

4.2 ft

Ideal Room Size

183 sq ft

(min. 118 sq ft)

42 inch TV dimensions – 36.6" × 20.6"

Technical Specifications

Dimensions

Diagonal:42" (42")
Width:36.6"
Height:20.6"

With Frame: ~38" × 22"

(Without Frame (Screen): 36.6" × 20.6")

Viewing Distance

The optimal distance between you and the TV for a perfect viewing experience.

For 4K Resolution:

Daily (SMPTE):5.2 ft
Immersive (THX):4.2 ft
Recommended Range:3.5 ft - 5.2 ft

For Full HD Resolution:

Optimal viewing distance:7 ft
Recommended Range:5.2 ft - 8.8 ft

Room Requirements

These room sizes are ideal for a 42 inch TV.

Minimum Room Size

118 sq ft

Ideal Room Size

183 sq ft

Ceiling Height (min)

7.5 ft

Ideal For

A 42 inch TV fits perfectly in these rooms and use cases.

BedroomDesk GamingSmall Living RoomOffice

Additional Information

Resolution

Minimum Resolution:

Full HD (1920x1080)

Recommended Resolution:

4K UHD (3840x2160)

Weight

Typically:

6 - 10 kg

Power Consumption

Typical:

55W

Maximum:

85W

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a 42 inch TV?

A 42 inch TV has a screen diagonal of 42". It is about 36.6" wide and 20.6" tall (without frame).

What is the best viewing distance for a 42 inch TV?

For 4K (standard on all current TVs), 5.2 ft is ideal for everyday viewing and 4.2 ft for a more cinematic feel (sensible range: 3.5 ft to 5.2 ft). For Full HD, 7 ft is optimal (range: 5.2 ft to 8.8 ft).

What room size is a 42 inch TV suitable for?

A 42 inch TV suits rooms from 118 sq ft. Ideal are rooms of 183 sq ft or more.

What resolution should a 42 inch TV have?

At least Full HD (1920x1080), recommended is 4K UHD (3840x2160). At this size, you will benefit significantly from the higher resolution.

How big is a 42 inch TV compared to other sizes?

  • A 42 inch TV is 1.7" wider and 1" taller than a 40 inch TV – 10% more screen area.
  • Compared with a 43 inch TV it is 0.9" narrower and 0.5" shorter; the 43 inch TV has 5% more screen area.

Will it fit on your TV stand?

Including the bezel, a 42 inch TV is about 38" wide. If it stands on furniture, the stand should be at least 42" wide – a bit more if the feet sit at the outer edges.

Wall mount: VESA and weight

A 42 inch TV typically uses a VESA pattern of 200 × 200 mm and weighs 13–22 lbs. Make sure the wall mount covers both – the exact values are in your TV's manual.

How high to mount a 42 inch TV?

With a seated eye height of 42", the bottom edge of a 42 inch TV sits at about 32" from the floor and the top edge at about 52".

Calculate the height for your room →

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