How to turn your TV into a PC monitor for free

Way back when, if you wanted to use a TV as a monitor, you had to make an abundance of compromises — and some sacrifices. But, now that technology has advanced, you can use some of the better TVs as full-time PC displays as long as you make a few strategic decisions. Here’s what you need to know going in, and the options you may have depending on your hardware. In many circumstances, you should be able to make the switch at no extra cost.

What you need to use a TV as a monitor

The quality of your TV matters here

The most critical requirement is a 4K TV. You can technically use a 1080p TV, but with Mac or Windows content that resolution is likely to look fuzzy or pixelated, particularly text. Many 1080p sets are also functionally outdated — they’re not going to support HDR (high dynamic range), much less other features that would put them on par with dedicated monitors.

One of those features is support for variable refresh rates (VRR). Many cheaper TVs are limited to a fixed 60Hz, which can result in sub-par output, particularly when it comes to PC games. The higher the refresh rate, the better, and VRR allows a TV to scale up or down to match onscreen content, just like a monitor. Strictly speaking, you don’t need VRR, but it’s always preferable. You should be hunting for it if you’re TV shopping.

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Another feature you’ll want is minimal response time. OLED TVs tend to be far superior in this area, yet you may be alright with an LCD or mini-LED TV as long as there’s a “game mode” you can use. Poor response times result in ghosting effects, which are distracting for anything on a computer that involves motion.

Finally, you’ll want a TV with low input lag — below 20 milliseconds at a minimum. The LG C3 TV, for example, has low input lag. High input lag probably isn’t a big concern if you’re web browsing or working in Google Docs, but it could be irritating for anything more intense.

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How to turn your TV into a monitor

You’ve got two avenues here. Note that only the first one is particularly suitable for gaming and other activities that demand instant feedback.

Using an HDMI cable

Patrick Campanale / Unsplash

1. First, identify the video outputs on your computer. Recent PCs should have dedicated HDMI and/or DisplayPort connections, or you can probably use USB-C if the first two options are missing.
2. Find an appropriate HDMI-to-HDMI, DisplayPort-to-HDMI, or USB-C-to-HDMI cable. You may need an adapter. Any cable you choose should support at least HDMI 2.0, preferably 2.1 or later, since 2.0 caps out at 60Hz for 4K.
3. Connect the cable to the best available HDMI port on your TV, and select that input using your remote. If you connect an HDMI 2.1 cable to a 2.0 port, you’ll be limited to 2.0 technology.
4. Connect the cable to your computer.
5. Go into Mac or Windows settings and configure the TV as an external display. In Windows 11, for example, you’ll need to go to Settings > System > Display. Pay particular attention to the Multiple displays and Scale menus, the latter of which can fix issues if it’s hard to read text. Equivalent macOS options are under Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.
6. Back on your TV, enable a game mode if it’s available.

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You should be good to go, but remember that resolutions, refresh rates, and frame rates are also dependent on your computer’s GPU (graphics processor). Many modern PCs can handle basic 4K output, but might struggle with gaming at that resolution if they don’t have a dedicated GPU from AMD or Nvidia.

Using wireless casting

1. On a Windows 11 PC, you can use Miracast. Your TV probably already supports this, but if not, dongles are available. When your TV is ready, click the Network icon (Wi-Fi symbol) on the right side of the taskbar, then Cast. Select your TV.
2. Mac owners can use AirPlay. You’ll need to configure AirPlay on your TV first, or hook up an Apple TV 4K if AirPlay is missing. Once that’s done, open Control Center on your Mac, then click Screen Mirroring. Your TV should appear as an option.

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FAQ

Q: Can I use wireless casting for gaming?

It’s a bad idea for anything but puzzle or turn-based games. Wireless connections introduce extra latency on top of input lag and image response times.

Q: What size should I choose for a TV doubling as a monitor?

At a desk, probably the smallest 4K TV you can find that meets essential specs. Even a 40-inch set is going to feel gigantic from a couple of feet away. If you’re setting your PC up in the living room, there’s no limit on screen size.