32-Inch TV Dimensions: Screen and Overall Size
A 32-inch TV goes where bigger sets cannot: under kitchen cabinets, on a dresser, in a camper or on an arm by the bed. Here are the exact measurements, and the clearances that decide whether it fits.
A 32-inch TV screen is 27.9 in wide and 15.7 in tall (70.8 × 39.8 cm). With the frame, current models measure 28.1 to 28.9 in wide and 16.6 to 17.3 in tall (71 to 73 × 42 to 44 cm) without the stand, about 3 in deep, and weigh 7.3 to 9.3 lb (3.3 to 4.2 kg).
- Screen width
- 27.9 in (70.8 cm)
- Screen height
- 15.7 in (39.8 cm)
- Set without stand
- ≈ 28.5 × 17 in
- Weight
- 7-10 lb (3.3-4.2 kg)
On this page
32-inch TV screen measurements
The figures below are for the picture area of a 16:9 screen. "32-inch class" panels usually measure 31.5 in, so both versions are shown.
| 32.0 in diagonal | 31.5 in panel | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 27.9 in (70.8 cm) | 27.5 in (69.7 cm) |
| Height | 15.7 in (39.8 cm) | 15.4 in (39.2 cm) |
| Diagonal | 32 in (81.3 cm) | 31.5 in (80.0 cm) |
| Area | 438 sq in (0.28 m²) | 424 sq in (0.27 m²) |
In feet, a 32-inch screen is about 2 ft 4 in wide and 1 ft 4 in tall. It has about a third of the picture area of a 55-inch TV.
Overall size of 32-inch TVs
| Model | W × H × D (in) | W × H × D (mm) | Weight | VESA (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL 32S250R (Roku TV) | 28.1 × 16.6 × 3.1 | 714 × 422 × 79 | 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) | 100 × 100 |
| TCL 32S5400AF | 28.2 × 16.7 × 3.0 | 716 × 424 × 77 | 7.3 lb (3.3 kg) | 100 × 100 |
| Samsung N5300 | 28.9 × 17.3 × 3.1 | 734 × 439 × 79 | 9.3 lb (4.2 kg) | 100 × 100 |
A planning size of 29 × 17.5 in (74 × 45 cm) covers these sets. Depth is about 3 in, more than many larger and slimmer models. On its feet the set is a little taller; check the model's "with stand" height and depth if it goes on a shelf.
Many low-cost 32-inch TVs are 720p (1366 × 768 or 1280 × 720 pixels, about 49 pixels per inch). The 1080p versions have about 69 pixels per inch. From across a bedroom the difference is small; from a desk or a kitchen counter 3 to 4 ft away, 1080p is visibly sharper. The Samsung N5300 and TCL 32S5400AF are 1080p; check the spec sheet of any other model, as the name rarely says.
Where a 32-inch TV fits
Under kitchen cabinets
Standard US kitchens leave about 18 in between the counter and the wall cabinets. A 32-inch set is 16.6 to 17.3 in tall without its stand, so it fits flat against the wall on a low-profile mount with about an inch or less to spare at the top. On its own feet it is too tall for that gap, and a 40-inch set (about 20.5 in tall) does not fit at all. The gap varies between kitchens, so measure yours first. See kitchen cabinet sizes.
On a dresser or desk
The set needs about 29 in of width. Small TVs often have feet near the ends, so the furniture must be nearly as wide as the TV; a model with a center stand or a wall arm frees up the surface.
In an RV, camper or boat
At 7 to 10 lb and with a 100 × 100 mm VESA pattern, a 32-inch set suits the swing-out and locking arms used in vehicles. Use a mount with a travel lock so the TV cannot swing while driving, and check the cabinet or wall can take screws into solid backing.
On a swing arm next to a bed
Arms rated for 15 to 20 lb hold any of the sets above with a margin. At the full extension of a long arm, the leverage on the wall is much higher than the TV's weight, so fix the arm into studs or solid masonry.
Viewing distance for a 32-inch TV
| Guideline | Distance |
|---|---|
| THX 40° (immersive) | 3.2 ft (0.97 m) |
| SMPTE 30° (relaxed) | 4.3 ft (1.32 m) |
| Closest for 1080p (3 × screen height) | 3.9 ft (1.20 m) |
| 720p pixels no longer visible (1 arcminute per pixel) | about 6 ft (1.8 m) |
A 32-inch TV looks its best from 3 to 6 ft. At 8 ft or more, it fills a small part of your view; the 40-inch or 43-inch sizes suit that distance better.
32-inch vs 24-inch vs 40-inch
| Size | Screen W × H (in) | Screen W × H (cm) | Area vs 32 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-inch | 20.9 × 11.8 | 53.1 × 29.9 | 56% |
| 32-inch | 27.9 × 15.7 | 70.8 × 39.8 | 100% |
| 40-inch | 34.9 × 19.6 | 88.6 × 49.8 | 156% |
| 43-inch | 37.5 × 21.1 | 95.2 × 53.5 | 180% |
Going from 32 to 40 inches adds 7 in of width and 56% more picture, but also about 4 in of height, which is what rules it out under cabinets. For every size from 24 to 100 inches, see the TV size chart.
Box size and weight
Samsung's spec sheet gives the N5300's carton as 31.7 × 20.9 × 5.6 in (80.5 × 53.1 × 14.2 cm) with a shipping weight of 12.8 lb (5.8 kg). A 32-inch box fits on a car's back seat, and one person can carry it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the measurements of a 32-inch TV in cm?
The screen is 70.8 cm wide and 39.8 cm tall, with an 81.3 cm diagonal. Complete sets are about 71 to 73 cm wide and 42 to 44 cm tall without the stand. In the UK and Europe the same size is often sold as an "80 cm" or "81 cm" TV.
Is a 32-inch TV actually 32 inches?
Most are 31.5 in measured diagonally, sold as "32-inch class". The Samsung N5300, for example, lists a 31.5-inch diagonal. The picture is then 27.5 × 15.4 in (69.7 × 39.2 cm).
Is a 32-inch TV the same size as a 32-inch monitor?
The screen is the same: both are 16:9 with a diagonal of 31.5 to 32 in, so about 27.5 to 27.9 in wide. Monitors usually have higher resolution (1440p or 4K against 720p or 1080p on most 32-inch TVs) and taller, adjustable stands. See 32-inch monitor dimensions.
What VESA size is a 32-inch TV?
Almost always 100 × 100 mm, as on the Samsung N5300, TCL 32S250R and TCL 32S5400AF. Some small sets use 200 × 100 mm. Nearly every small TV arm and RV mount accepts 100 × 100.
How far should you sit from a 32-inch TV?
About 3 to 4.5 ft (1 to 1.3 m) for an immersive to relaxed view. With a 720p set, sitting closer than about 6 ft makes pixels visible on fine detail; 1080p is clean from about 4 ft.