Front view of the XXL 88cm Contemporary wall clock with vibrant colours

Is an 88cm Wall Clock Too Big? How to Check Before You Buy

An 88cm wall clock is a true statement piece. It is bigger than most people picture, and that is exactly why it works so well on a large wall. But it is worth taking two minutes to check it suits your space before you order. Here is how.

How big is 88cm, really?

88cm is the diameter – straight across the clock face from edge to edge. To picture it:

  • It is wider than a standard UK internal door. Most internal doors are about 76cm or 84cm wide.
  • It is about the width of a small two-drawer chest or a bedside table and a half.
  • It is roughly 10cm bigger than the many 80cm clocks sold as "extra large".

So when a listing says 88cm, expect a clock that fills a wall, not one that sits quietly on it.

Which walls suit an 88cm clock?

  • A large living room wall, especially above a sofa that is 180cm or wider.
  • A chimney breast of around 125cm wide or more – see our guide to a large clock above a fireplace.
  • Open-plan kitchen-diners and long dining room walls.
  • Hallways and stairwells with a tall, open wall that is seen from a distance.

If your wall is narrower, or broken up by doors, windows or shelves, a 76cm clock or our 60cm retro clock may sit better.

The two-minute paper test

  1. Tape a few sheets of newspaper together and cut a circle 88cm across (a piece of string 44cm long, pinned in the middle, makes a quick compass).
  2. Tape it to the wall where the clock would go.
  3. Look at it from the sofa, the doorway and the far side of the room.
  4. Check you have at least 15–20cm of clear wall around it, and that it is not crowded by lights, shelves or frames.

If the paper circle looks right, the clock will too. If it feels too much, try the same test at 76cm.

Things to check before you order

  • Wall space: measure the full width and height of clear wall, not just the gap you have in mind.
  • Hanging: our clocks hang from one hanging point on the back, behind the 12, so you need one secure fixing. See how to hang a large wall clock.
  • Battery: each clock runs on one AA battery (not included).
  • Noise: our clocks are silent, with no ticking, so a big clock will not dominate the room with sound.

Our 88cm clocks

See them all in extra large wall clocks, or browse every size in large wall clocks. Every order comes with free express UK delivery in 2–4 working days.

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