Ideal Height for a 50‑Inch TV: How to Set It Right

If you’ve just bought a 50‑inch TV, the first question is where to put it. Too low and you’ll stare up, too high and you’ll crane your neck. Getting the height right makes movies feel natural and protects your eyes. Below you’ll get the exact steps to nail the perfect spot, no matter if you use a stand or mount it on the wall.

How to Measure the Perfect Height

Start with the seating height. Sit on your favorite couch or chair and measure from the floor to your eyes. Most people have eye level between 42 and 48 inches when seated. The goal is to have the center of the TV screen at that same height.

Measure the TV’s screen height. A 50‑inch TV usually has a screen height of about 25 inches (the diagonal is 50, the width is around 44 inches, height about 25). Half of that is 12.5 inches. Add that number to the height you measured for your eyes and you get the ideal top‑of‑TV height.

For example, if your eye level is 45 inches, add 12.5 inches – the center of the screen should be about 45 inches high. That means the bottom of the TV will sit around 32.5 inches from the floor. Use a level and a tape measure to mark that spot on the wall or on the stand’s base.

Mounting Options: Stand vs Wall

If you use a TV stand, pick one that lets the TV sit at the height you just calculated. Most stands have adjustable legs or a platform you can raise with small blocks. Make sure the stand can hold the TV’s weight – check the specifications.

For a wall mount, find studs behind the drywall using a stud finder. Secure the mount brackets into the studs, not just the drywall, to keep the TV safe. Many wall mounts let you tilt the screen a few degrees, which is handy if you can’t reach the perfect height. Tilt down a bit and you’ll still get a comfortable view.

Don’t forget viewing distance. A 50‑inch screen looks best when you sit about 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal away – that’s roughly 75 to 125 inches (6 to 10 feet). If your room is smaller, you might want a slightly lower height to avoid neck strain.

Finally, run through a quick checklist: measure eye level, calculate screen center, mark the height, verify the stand or mount can hold the weight, check for studs, and test the viewing distance. Adjust if anything feels off.

With these simple steps, your 50‑inch TV will sit at the sweet spot, giving you a relaxed movie night and protecting your back and eyes. Enjoy the show!