Short answer: Choose a linear electric fireplace at least as wide as the TV screen, and one size wider if the wall allows. A 55-inch TV pairs with a 50 or 60-inch fireplace, a 65-inch TV with a 60 or 74, a 75-inch TV with a 74, and an 85-inch TV with an 88 or 100. TV sizes are diagonals, so the screen is narrower than the number on the box.
The sizing table
| TV size | Screen width | Matching fireplace | One size wider |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 in. | 47.9 in. | 50 in. | 60 in. |
| 65 in. | 56.7 in. | 60 in. | 74 in. |
| 75 in. | 65.4 in. | 74 in. | 88 in. |
| 85 in. | 74.1 in. | 88 in. | 100 in. |
Screen width is calculated for a 16:9 screen: the diagonal multiplied by 0.872. The TV cabinet is slightly wider than the screen, so check the width on your TV's spec sheet.
Why the diagonal misleads
A 65-inch TV is 65 inches corner to corner. Its screen is about 56.7 inches across. A fireplace is named roughly for its actual width, so a 60-inch fireplace is already wider than a 65-inch TV.
The 85-inch TV is the pairing people get wrong. Its screen is about 74.1 inches wide. A 74-inch Ignite XL has a glass width of 72 3/4 inches, so the fire would be slightly narrower than the screen above it. For an 85-inch TV, go to an 88 or a 100.
Real widths of the Dimplex Ignite linear fireplaces
The Ignite XL and Ignite Evolve share the same outside dimensions. Both are 16 1/2 in. tall with trim, and both frame 16 in. high in a 2x4 wall (3 1/2 in. deep, partly recessed) or a 2x6 wall (5 1/2 in. deep, flush).
| Ignite XL or Evolve | Glass width | Width with trim | Framing width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 in. | 48 3/4 in. | 51 1/2 in. | 50 5/8 in. |
| 60 in. | 58 3/4 in. | 61 1/4 in. | 60 5/8 in. |
| 74 in. | 72 3/4 in. | 75 1/2 in. | 74 5/8 in. |
| 100 in. | 98 3/4 in. | 101 1/2 in. | 100 5/8 in. |
The Ignite XL Bold is the three-sided version. It is 23 7/8 in. tall and 12 1/8 in. deep, and it adds an 88-inch size.
| Ignite XL Bold | Front glass width |
|---|---|
| 50 in. | 48 7/8 in. |
| 60 in. | 61 1/2 in. |
| 74 in. | 74 in. |
| 88 in. | 86 3/8 in. |
| 100 in. | 99 1/8 in. |
The Ignite Ultra is the tallest of the four at 27 1/2 in. high and 14 1/2 in. deep, with a 17 in. tall viewing area. Its 50 and 60-inch sizes have 50 and 60 in. of glass.
Dimensions from the Dimplex owner's manuals and technical specification sheets for each series. Framing for the XL Bold and Ultra depends on whether the install is front-facing, corner or bay. Always frame from the manual that ships with your fireplace, and ask us for it before you build.
Size by size
55-inch TV
A 50-inch fireplace has 48 3/4 in. of glass against a 47.9 in. screen, so the two line up almost exactly. A 60 gives the wider base most designers prefer. See the Ignite XL 50 or the Ignite Evolve 50.
65-inch TV
A 60-inch fireplace is the minimum. A 74 sits about nine inches proud of the screen on each side and reads as a deliberate base. See the Ignite XL 60, the Ignite Ultra 60 or the Ignite XL 74.
75-inch TV
A 74-inch fireplace is the match, with 72 3/4 in. of glass under a 65.4 in. screen. See the Ignite XL 74 or the Ignite Evolve 74. If the wall is wide, the Ignite XL Bold 88 is the next step.
85-inch TV
Skip the 74. Choose the Ignite XL Bold 88, or a 100-inch model such as the Ignite XL 100 or Ignite Evolve 100. A 100-inch fireplace needs a wall well over eight and a half feet wide once you allow for trim and finish on each side.
A bigger fireplace does not mean more heat
Across all four Ignite series the heater is the same at every width: 1,500 W on a 120 V circuit or 2,500 W on a 240 V circuit. Pick the width for how the wall looks, and pick the voltage for how much heat you want. Our electrical requirements guide covers the circuit.
How close can the TV be?
Dimplex does not publish a minimum distance between these fireplaces and a television. All four manuals say the same thing: for a TV, mantel or artwork above the unit, follow the recommendations of that product's manufacturer for installation over a heater. So the first place to look is your TV's manual.
Two of the manuals give a temperature figure you can plan around:
- Ignite XL Bold: in normal heat mode, surfaces 7 in. above the fireplace will not exceed 40 C (104 F), provided it is installed to the instructions and the inlet and outlet are clear.
- Ignite Ultra: the same statement, at 10 in.
The Ignite XL and Evolve manuals show a temperature-zone diagram instead of a single distance. We can send you that page.
The manuals also set the fireplace's own position. On the XL, Evolve and XL Bold the bottom of the unit should be 5 to 40 in. above the floor, and on the Ultra no more than 40 in. All four need at least 24 in. between the top of the unit and the ceiling.
How high the TV ends up
Work it out before you frame, because the fireplace pushes the TV up. An example with a 65-inch TV over an Ignite XL:
- Bottom of the fireplace 12 in. off the floor
- Fireplace with trim, 16 1/2 in. tall, so its top is at 28 1/2 in.
- An 8 in. gap to the TV, which puts the bottom of the screen at 36 1/2 in.
- A 65-inch screen is about 31.9 in. tall, so its centre lands at roughly 52 in.
That is higher than a TV on a stand. Mounting the fireplace lower, keeping the gap modest within your TV maker's guidance, or using a tilting mount all help. A taller unit such as the Ultra raises the TV further, which is worth weighing against its bigger flame. For the layout as a whole, see designing a media wall with an electric fireplace.
Check the wall, not only the TV
The fireplace also has to suit the wall. Measure the clear width between corners, windows and doors, then subtract the trim and whatever finish you want on each side. If the wall only takes a fireplace narrower than the TV, a smaller TV or a different wall usually looks better than a fire that is visibly undersized.
Frequently asked questions
Should the fireplace be wider than the TV?
Ideally, yes. Equal width works. A fireplace narrower than the screen tends to look undersized.
What size fireplace for a 65-inch TV?
A 60-inch fireplace at minimum, or a 74 if the wall has room.
What size fireplace for a 75-inch TV?
A 74-inch fireplace. Its glass is about seven inches wider than the screen.
Is a 74-inch fireplace big enough for an 85-inch TV?
Not quite. An 85-inch screen is about 74.1 in. wide and a 74-inch Ignite XL has 72 3/4 in. of glass. Choose an 88 or a 100.
Is it safe to put a TV above an electric fireplace?
Dimplex leaves the decision to the TV manufacturer's guidance for mounting over a heater. Check your TV manual, and use the temperature figures above for the XL Bold and Ultra.
Does a wider electric fireplace heat more?
No. In the Dimplex Ignite XL, Evolve, Ultra and XL Bold the heater is the same at every width.
Want us to size it for you? Send your wall width and TV size through our free electric fireplace sizing check, or call 877-879-9191. Browse all Dimplex linear electric fireplaces.
Sources: Dimplex Ignite XL owner's manual 7215520100R06; Ignite Evolve owner's manual 7216710100R06; Ignite Ultra owner's manual 7216840100R01; Ignite XL Bold owner's manual 7216300100R10; Dimplex technical specification sheets for each model. Electrical codes vary by jurisdiction. This article does not replace the manufacturer instructions, your TV manufacturer's instructions or a licensed electrician.