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Screen width from the diagonal
Useful for checking that the panel fits the cabinet or wall space.
The Formula
width = 16 x diagonal / sqrt(337)
Useful for checking that the panel fits the cabinet or wall space.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| w | Screen width | inches | The horizontal size of the picture. |
| d | Diagonal | inches | The advertised screen size. |
| 337 | 16^2 + 9^2 | unitless | The squared diagonal of a 16 by 9 rectangle. |
What Each Symbol Means
winches
Screen width
The horizontal size of the picture.
dinches
Diagonal
The advertised screen size.
337unitless
16^2 + 9^2
The squared diagonal of a 16 by 9 rectangle.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate tv viewing distance page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate TV Viewing Distance, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.