# What size soundbar for your TV: width, height and fit between the feet

Source: https://specwiseguide.com/soundbar-size-for-tv/
Updated: 2026-11-13 · By SMART SC Editorial Team

**Short answer:** **A soundbar looks best at about 70–100% of the TV's width**: roughly **34–48 in for a 55-inch** TV (48.1–48.7 in wide), **40–57 in for a 65-inch** (56.5–57.4 in), **46–66 in for a 75-inch** and **52–75 in for an 85-inch**. Two things matter more than looks: on furniture, the bar must **fit between the TV's feet** (or in front of a pedestal) and be **lower than the gap under the screen**, or it blocks the bottom of the picture and the remote's IR sensor. Wall-mounted, center it a couple of inches below the TV. Width doesn't decide sound: channels, a subwoofer and Dolby Atmos height drivers do.

## Key takeaways

- **Width:** 70–100% of the TV's width looks balanced; a slightly wider bar is fine on a wall.
- **End feet** can leave too little room: measure between them. Pedestal stands avoid the problem.
- **Height:** check the gap between the furniture top and the bottom of the screen; some TVs have stand positions that lift the screen for a soundbar.
- **Sound:** a 3.1 or 5.1 bar with a subwoofer beats a wider 2.0 bar.

Soundbar makers list a bar's width but rarely say which TV it suits, and TV makers list stands without mentioning soundbars. Here are both sides, from the spec sheets.

(Diagram: A soundbar on the console under a 65-inch TV, to scale. Check the bar's width against the TV's feet.)

## Width: a chart by TV size

| TV size | TV width (models we list) | Soundbar at 70–100% | Example bars from spec sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-inch | 48.1–48.7 in | about 34–48 in | Samsung HW-Q600F (40.6 in), LG SC9S (38.4 in) |
| 65-inch | 56.5–57.4 in | about 40–57 in | Samsung HW-QS700F (45.7 in), Q990H (48.5 in), LG S95TR (49.2 in) |
| 75/77-inch | 65.6–66 in / 67.4–67.7 in | about 46–67 in | Samsung HW-Q990H (48.5 in), LG S95TR (49.2 in) |
| 83/85-inch | 72.5–72.9 in / 74–74.8 in | about 51–75 in | The widest bars (~48–50 in) plus rear speakers |
| 98/100-inch | 85.3–85.8 in / 87.8 in | — | A wide bar plus rears, or a separate speaker system |

Above 75 inches, few soundbars are wide enough to hit 70% of the TV. That doesn't matter much for sound; rear speakers and a subwoofer do more for a big room than a few extra inches of bar.

## Fit on furniture: feet, pedestals and height

**Between the feet.** TVs with feet near the ends leave a wide space between them, but check it: a bar must fit inside with a little room for cables. Models with a center **pedestal** leave the whole front of the console free.

**Under the screen.** The bar must be lower than the gap between the furniture and the bottom of the screen, or it covers the picture and the TV's IR remote sensor. For any model, the gap is its **height with stand minus height without stand**, both in our [TV spec database](/tv-models/) and on each model's page. Some TVs solve it with a **raised stand position**: the Sony BRAVIA 7's stand has a soundbar position, and the Hisense U8's pedestal is height-adjustable.

**Depth.** The bar sits in front of the TV's stand, so the console needs the TV's stand depth plus the bar's depth.

## On the wall

Mount the bar **2–3 in below the TV**, centered. Most brands sell a bracket; LG's SC9S has a bracket designed for its C-series OLEDs. Run its HDMI cable to the TV's **eARC** port ([eARC vs ARC](/earc-vs-arc/) lists which port that is on each TV).

## Width isn't sound

Two bars of the same width can sound completely different. For a living room:

- **A subwoofer** (built into the system, usually wireless) adds the bass a thin bar can't.
- **A center channel** (3.1 and up) keeps dialogue clear.
- **Dolby Atmos height drivers** (the third number, e.g. 3.1.2) add overhead effects.
- **Rear speakers** (included with top systems like the Samsung HW-Q990H and LG S95TR) give real surround.

Brand matching adds features such as Q-Symphony and WOW Orchestra: see the [Samsung](/soundbar-for-samsung-tv/) and [LG](/soundbar-for-lg-tv/) soundbar guides.

## Frequently asked questions

### What size soundbar for a 65-inch TV?

About 40–57 in wide. A 65-inch TV is 56.5–57.4 in wide; bars around 44–50 in look balanced under it. Check the gap between the TV's feet if it stands on furniture.

### What size soundbar for a 75-inch TV?

About 46–66 in. A 75-inch TV is 65.6–66 in wide; the widest common soundbars are around 48–50 in, which look fine under it.

### What size soundbar for an 85-inch TV?

Wider is better here, but few soundbars exceed about 50 in. That's fine: add rear speakers or a subwoofer rather than looking for a wider bar.

### Can a soundbar be wider than the TV?

Yes, especially on a wall or a wide console, though it can look unbalanced on a small TV. It mustn't overhang the furniture or sit in front of the screen.

### Will a soundbar block my TV's screen?

It can if the TV sits low on its stand. Compare the bar's height with the gap between the furniture top and the bottom of the screen (the TV's height with stand minus its height without stand). Some TVs, such as the Sony BRAVIA 7 and Hisense U8, have a raised stand position.

## Sources

- [Samsung, HW-Q990H soundbar spec sheet (width)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/HW-Q990H_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [LG, S95TR soundbar spec sheet (width)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/S95TR_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)