Display & screen calculators — from picking a size to setting it up
Four calculators for the questions that come up when you buy a screen or set one up: how big it really is, how far to sit, how sharp it will look, and how smooth it will feel.
When would you use these?
A screen is sold by one number, the diagonal in inches, and that single number hides almost everything you actually care about. A 55-inch TV and a 55-inch ultrawide monitor have completely different widths. The same 4K resolution looks razor sharp on a 27-inch monitor and unremarkable on a 65-inch TV. And a 240 Hz panel changes nothing if what you are watching runs at 60 fps.
These four tools break that one number back apart. Start with the screen size converter to find the real width and height, so you know it fits the wall or the desk. Then use the viewing distance calculator to work out how far away to sit, because sitting too close to a large screen is the most common setup mistake. The PPI calculator tells you how sharp the image will be at that size and resolution, and the refresh rate converter turns hertz into the frame time that actually determines how responsive it feels.
Run them in that order — size, distance, sharpness, smoothness — and you will have covered the four things people most often discover too late.
Which tool does what
| Tool | Answers | Useful if you are |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size Converter | Real width and height from a diagonal measurement | Checking whether a TV fits the wall or a monitor fits the desk |
| Viewing Distance Calculator | How far to sit for a given screen size and resolution | Planning a living room or a desk setup |
| PPI Calculator | Pixel density and pixel pitch | Comparing how sharp two screens will actually look |
| Refresh Rate Converter | Hertz converted to frame time in milliseconds | Shopping for a gaming monitor or comparing panels |
Frequently asked questions
In what order should I use these when buying a TV?
Size first, then distance, then sharpness. Convert the diagonal into real width and height so you know it physically fits, work out the viewing distance for the room you have, and only then check pixel density. Doing it the other way round leads to buying a screen that is technically excellent and too large for the wall.
Does a higher resolution always mean a sharper picture?
No. Sharpness depends on resolution and screen size together, which is what pixel density measures. Stretch 4K across 65 inches and the pixel density drops below that of a 27-inch 4K monitor, so the larger screen looks less sharp up close even though both are 4K. Viewing distance then matters just as much, because beyond a certain point your eye cannot resolve the difference anyway.
Is a higher refresh rate always better?
Only if the rest of the chain keeps up. A 240 Hz panel shows 240 distinct frames per second only when the source produces them. Most film and streaming content runs at 24 to 60 fps, so the panel repeats frames and the benefit disappears. Refresh rate matters most for fast games where the graphics card can genuinely feed it.
Why does the same TV feel different in a shop and at home?
Because viewing distance changes everything, and showrooms are large. A 65-inch screen viewed from four metres in a shop fills far less of your vision than the same screen from two and a half metres in a living room. Calculate the distance for your actual room rather than trusting how it looked in the store.
Can these results differ from the manufacturer specification?
Yes. These calculators work from the numbers you enter and assume a standard 16:9 panel with no bezel. Real products vary in aspect ratio, bezel width, and stand depth. Treat the results as a reliable guide for comparing options, and confirm exact dimensions against the manufacturer specification sheet before buying.
Results in this category are for reference. Confirm exact specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing.