Wide 40 Inch TV: The Complete Guide

In today’s digital age, televisions have become the centerpiece of our living spaces, offering portals to entertainment, information, and connectivity. The 40-inch TV occupies a sweet spot in the market – substantial enough to deliver an immersive viewing experience yet compact enough to fit comfortably in various living spaces. Whether you’re upgrading your entertainment system, setting up a gaming station, or simply wanting to understand more about display technology, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about 40-inch TVs.

Table of Contents

How Wide is a 40 Inch TV?

When we talk about a 40-inch TV, we’re referring to its diagonal measurement from one corner to the opposite corner. The actual width of a 40-inch TV typically measures around 35 inches (89 cm) across, with a height of approximately 20 inches (51 cm). This size offers an excellent viewing experience without dominating smaller living spaces, making it a versatile choice for many households, apartments, bedrooms, and office spaces. Understanding these dimensions helps tremendously when planning your room layout or entertainment center design.

Understanding TV Measurements and Dimensions

The Diagonal Measurement Standard

The television industry has standardized measuring screens diagonally, tracing back to the days of cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions. This 40-inch measurement represents the distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner, not including the bezel or frame.

Actual Dimensions of a 40-Inch TV

A typical 40-inch TV has the following approximate dimensions:

Width: 35 inches (89 cm)
Height: 20 inches (51 cm)
Diagonal: 40 inches (102 cm)

These dimensions can vary slightly depending on the aspect ratio and bezel size. Modern TVs typically have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which determines the relationship between width and height.

Interesting Fact: If TVs were still measured by their viewable area (like in the early days of television), a 40-inch TV would be advertised as having approximately 700 square inches of viewing area rather than its diagonal measurement.

Screen-to-Body Ratio

Modern 40-inch TVs have increasingly thinner bezels, maximizing the actual screen size within the physical footprint. Many contemporary models boast screen-to-body ratios exceeding 95%, meaning nearly the entire front surface is dedicated to the display. This evolution has made today’s 40-inch TVs significantly more immersive than their predecessors of the same diagonal measurement.

Popular TV Technologies for 40-Inch Models

LED/LCD Technology

The most common display technology found in 40-inch TVs is LED-backlit LCD. These televisions use liquid crystal displays illuminated by LED lights, offering good brightness levels and energy efficiency at reasonable price points.

LED TVs come in different configurations:

Edge-lit: LEDs positioned around the perimeter of the screen
Direct-lit: LEDs spread across the back of the panel
Full-array: Multiple zones of LEDs that can be controlled independently for better contrast

Interesting Fact: Despite being called “LED TVs” in marketing, these are actually LCD panels that use LED backlighting rather than older CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) technology.

QLED Technology

Quantum Dot LED (QLED) technology enhances traditional LED backlighting with a layer of quantum dots that improve color reproduction and brightness. Several manufacturers offer 40-inch QLED models that deliver more vibrant colors and better HDR performance than standard LED displays.

Interesting Fact: Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor particles about 2-10 nanometers in diameter, thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair. They emit different colors depending on their size when light passes through them.

OLED Options

While less common in the 40-inch range due to cost considerations, some premium OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) models are available. OLED technology allows each pixel to emit its own light and turn completely off when displaying black, resulting in perfect contrast and viewing angles.

Interesting Fact: An OLED pixel that’s displaying black consumes virtually no power, which is why OLED TVs typically have excellent energy efficiency when displaying darker content.

Ideal Viewing Distance for a 40-Inch TV

Understanding the optimal viewing distance helps maximize your viewing experience and reduces eye strain. For a 40-inch HD TV, the recommended viewing distance is approximately:

Minimum: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
Optimal: 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 meters)
Maximum comfortable distance: 10 feet (3 meters)

For 4K resolution 40-inch TVs, you can sit closer (about 3.3-5 feet or 1-1.5 meters) to appreciate the additional detail without seeing individual pixels.

Interesting Fact: The human eye has a finite angular resolution, meaning beyond certain distances, you physically cannot perceive the difference between HD and 4K resolutions. For a 40-inch TV, sitting beyond 8 feet makes it difficult to distinguish between 1080p and 4K content.

Resolution Options for 40-Inch TVs

Full HD (1920 × 1080p)

Many budget-friendly 40-inch TVs feature Full HD resolution, providing 1920 × 1080 pixels. This resolution delivers sharp images for most content and is particularly suitable for viewers who primarily watch cable TV, DVDs, or stream standard HD content.

4K Ultra HD (3840 × 2160p)

Premium 40-inch TVs offer 4K Ultra HD resolution with four times the pixels of Full HD displays. These models are ideal for viewers who enjoy streaming 4K content, playing modern video games, or connecting to high-resolution sources.

Interesting Fact: A 40-inch 4K TV has approximately 8.3 million pixels packed into its screen, compared to just 2.1 million in a Full HD display of the same size.

8K Options

While rare in the 40-inch category due to diminishing returns on visual clarity at this size, some manufacturers have begun introducing 8K resolution models. At 40 inches, the benefits of 8K resolution (7680 × 4320 pixels) are generally imperceptible to the human eye unless viewed from extremely close distances.

TV Resolution Comparison Table

Click to open code

Tap to open

Smart Features in Modern 40-Inch TVs

Operating Systems

Modern 40-inch smart TVs come with various operating systems that determine the user interface and app ecosystem:

Android TV/Google TV: Offers extensive app selection via Google Play Store
Roku TV: User-friendly interface with strong streaming focus
Tizen (Samsung): Streamlined experience with good integration with Samsung devices
webOS (LG): Intuitive interface with robust streaming options
Fire TV (Amazon): Heavily integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem

Interesting Fact: Many TV operating systems now incorporate voice assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri, allowing you to control your 40-inch TV through natural language commands.

Connectivity Options

A well-equipped 40-inch TV typically includes:

HDMI ports (2-4): For connecting game consoles, Blu-ray players, and other devices
USB ports: For media playback or powering streaming devices
Ethernet port: For wired internet connection
Wi-Fi connectivity: For wireless streaming and updates
Bluetooth: For connecting headphones and other peripherals

Premium models may also include HDMI 2.1 features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC).

Gaming on a 40-Inch TV

The 40-inch size makes for an excellent gaming display, offering immersive visuals without requiring significant head movement to see the entire screen.

Key Gaming Features

Modern gaming-oriented 40-inch TVs offer:

Low input lag (under 15ms): Ensures responsive gameplay
High refresh rates (60-120Hz): Provides smoother motion
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Eliminates screen tearing
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Automatically switches to game mode when a console is detected
HDR gaming support: Enhances visual impact with greater contrast and color depth

Interesting Fact: Some premium 40-inch gaming TVs now support HDMI 2.1 features that enable 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rate, a significant upgrade for next-generation console gaming on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

40-Inch TV vs. Other Common Sizes

Comparison with 32-Inch TVs

A 40-inch TV offers approximately 56% more screen area than a 32-inch model, providing a noticeably more immersive experience while still fitting in similar spaces. The 40-inch size typically allows for higher resolution options and better feature sets than smaller 32-inch models, which are often limited to 720p or 1080p resolutions.

Comparison with 50-Inch TVs

A 50-inch TV provides about 56% more screen area than a 40-inch model. However, 40-inch TVs offer greater flexibility in placement, particularly in smaller rooms, apartments, or bedrooms where a 50-inch might dominate the space.

Interesting Fact: The perceived difference in size between TV screens follows a logarithmic rather than linear relationship. The jump from 32 to 40 inches feels more significant than the jump from 70 to 78 inches, despite both representing an 8-inch diagonal increase.

Finding the Perfect Wall Space for Your 40-Inch TV

Wall Mounting Considerations

When mounting a 40-inch TV, you’ll need:

Wall space: Approximately 36 inches wide by 21 inches high (91 × 53 cm)
VESA mount compatibility: Most 40-inch TVs use 200 × 200mm VESA patterns
Viewing height: The center of the screen should ideally be at eye level when seated
Cable management solutions: To maintain a clean look after mounting

Interesting Fact: The optimal height for TV mounting is generally considered to be with the middle of the screen at eye level when seated, which is typically about 42-48 inches (107-122 cm) from the floor.

Entertainment Center Specifications

If placing your 40-inch TV on furniture, look for:

Width: At least 36 inches (91 cm) for stability
Depth: Minimum 12 inches (30 cm) for standard TV stands
Weight capacity: Most 40-inch TVs weigh between 15-25 pounds (7-11 kg)

Energy Efficiency and Power Consumption

Typical Power Usage

A modern 40-inch LED TV consumes approximately:

60-100 watts during active use
Less than 0.5 watts in standby mode
Annual electricity cost of about $15-25 based on average usage (4 hours daily)

Energy-efficient models with ENERGY STAR certification may consume 25-30% less power than standard models.

Interesting Fact: OLED TVs typically consume less power when displaying darker content because pixels displaying black are actually turned off, while LED TVs use roughly the same amount of power regardless of content brightness.

How to Measure for a 40-Inch TV Without a Tape Measure

If you need to visualize or estimate the size of a 40-inch TV without proper measuring tools:

Use common household items:
- Four standard letter/A4 papers arranged in a 2×2 grid approximate the height
- Five to six papers arranged horizontally approximate the width
Use your arm span:
- The width of a 40-inch TV is approximately the distance from your fingertips to your shoulder
Use a credit card:
- A standard credit card is about 3.37 inches long
- The width of a 40-inch TV is roughly equivalent to 10.5 credit cards placed end to end

Price Range and Value Considerations

Budget Options ($200-$350)

Entry-level 40-inch TVs typically offer:

1080p Full HD resolution
Basic smart features
Limited HDR capabilities
60Hz refresh rate
2-3 HDMI ports

Mid-Range Options ($350-$500)

Mid-tier 40-inch TVs generally include:

4K Ultra HD resolution
Comprehensive smart platforms
Better HDR performance
Enhanced sound quality
More comprehensive connectivity options

Premium Options ($500+)

High-end 40-inch TVs may feature:

Advanced display technologies (QLED or OLED)
Superior HDR performance
120Hz refresh rates
Gaming-oriented features
Premium sound solutions
Designer aesthetics

Interesting Fact: The price per square inch of TV screen area has fallen dramatically over the past decade. A 40-inch TV that might have cost $1,000 in 2010 can now be purchased for under $300 with significantly better specifications.

When to Choose a 40-Inch TV

A 40-inch TV is particularly suitable for:

Small to medium-sized living rooms
Bedrooms and guest rooms
Apartments with limited space
Office environments
Kitchen entertainment
Secondary viewing locations
College dorms and small student accommodations

Interesting Fact: In interior design, a common rule suggests that your TV should be positioned so that its screen size is approximately equal to one-third of your viewing distance. This makes 40-inch TVs ideal for viewing distances of about 10 feet.

Conclusion

The 40-inch TV represents an excellent balance between immersive screen size and practical space efficiency. With technologies ranging from affordable Full HD to premium 4K QLED or OLED options, there’s a 40-inch model to suit virtually any need and budget.

Whether mounting it on a wall, positioning it in an entertainment center, or using it as a multi-purpose display for streaming, gaming, and computing, a 40-inch TV offers remarkable versatility. The size is substantial enough to enjoy movies and games from a comfortable distance while remaining manageable enough to fit in smaller living spaces.

As you shop for your ideal 40-inch TV, consider not just the price point but also the resolution, panel technology, smart features, and connectivity options that will best serve your specific entertainment needs. With proper placement and setup, a quality 40-inch TV can provide years of viewing pleasure without overwhelming your living space.

Looking for a challenge? Take a moment to look around your home how many items can you find that are approximately as wide as a 40-inch TV (about 35 inches across)? You might be surprised to discover how this dimension relates to common furniture pieces, doorways, and other household objects.

Ryan Miles

I’m Ryan Miles, and I love making measurements simple. My site helps you find real-life examples of sizes, from 2 inches to 8 inches and beyond!