Measuring Your TV for VESA Compatibility
Fortunately, figuring out your TV's VESA pattern is surprisingly simple.
How to Measure Your TV
Before grabbing the tape measure, check your TV's manual or manufacturer's specifications. The VESA pattern may already be listed! If it isn't, you can measure it yourself.
Locate the four threaded mounting holes on the back of the television. Measure horizontally from the center of one mounting hole to the center of the corresponding hole. Then measure vertically between the centers of the upper and lower mounting holes.
Remember: measure center to center, not from the outside edges of the holes. Record your measurements in millimeters.
A horizontal measurement of 400 mm and vertical measurement of 300 mm, for example, gives you a 400 x 300 pattern.
What is VESA?
VESA stands for the Video Electronics Standards Association. Among its standards is the Flat Display Mounting Interface, which helps standardize how compatible flat-panel displays attach to mounting systems.
Look at the back of a mountable TV and you'll typically find four threaded mounting holes arranged in a square or rectangle.
The spacing between those holes determines the TV's VESA mounting pattern and is one of the most important specifications to check when shopping for TV wall mounts.
Understanding VESA Measurements
VESA measurements are expressed in millimeters and list the horizontal measurement first, followed by the vertical measurement. You can also purchase a universal TV mount that fit a wide range of TV sizes and shapes.
For example:
- 200 x 200 means the mounting holes are 200 millimeters apart horizontally and 200 millimeters apart vertically.
- 400 x 200 means they're 400 millimeters apart horizontally and 200 millimeters vertically.
Common patterns include 100 x 100, 200 x 200, 400 x 400, 600 x 400, and 800 x 400, although other configurations exist.
VESA Isn't the Only Specification That Matters
Finding the right VESA pattern doesn't automatically mean you've found the right mount.
You also need to check the mount's maximum weight capacity and supported screen-size range. Never assume that matching bolt holes alone makes a mount suitable for your television.
Mount type matters as well. Depending on your room, you might choose a tilting mount, articulating swing-out mount, slimline TV wall mount, or even a ceiling TV mount.
You'll also need the correct mounting hardware. Screw diameter, length, spacers, and other requirements can vary by television. Follow the TV and mount manufacturers' instructions rather than substituting hardware based solely on appearance.
Measure Before You Order
VESA compatibility makes shopping for mounts considerably easier because you aren't necessarily limited to accessories manufactured by your TV brand. But compatibility still needs to be verified.
Check the specifications first. If the VESA information isn't available, take a few minutes to measure the mounting holes yourself. Combined with your TV's size and weight, that simple measurement gives you the information you need to find a compatible universal TV mount or other mounting solution with confidence.