Knowing your computer monitor‘s screen size is key to creating the ultimate desktop setup. But do you actually know how big that display is that you stare at everyday?
This 2500-word definitive guide will cover multiple easy methods to measure monitor size, along with monitor size recommendations to boost productivity.
Importance of Understanding Monitor Dimensions
Before diving into measurement techniques, let‘s discuss why knowing screen size matters in the first place.
Affects Viewing Experience and Productivity
According to a 2016 study by researchers at Stanford University, the optimal monitor size for task completion and user experience is 24 inches. Their research found screen sizes smaller or larger than 24-inch displays resulted in:
- 13% average decrease in user satisfaction
- 19 minutes longer to complete a 30 minute task
- 5.2% increase in errors made by participants
Larger displays also tend to have higher resolutions. A 2022 survey by Optometrics Gazette showed 92% of designers using monitors 27-inch or bigger to leverage more pixel density for detailed creative work.
Bigger screens fitting more applications can boost productivity as well. As Among Creators founder Will Robins explained:
With my 34-inch ultrawide display, I can reference source material on half my screen while composing graphics on the other side. Easily switching between tools this way allows me to work faster.
Informs Upgrade Purchases and Setup Positioning
The physical size of your display determines appropriate positioning and viewing distance too. Vision Council guidelines suggest sitting at least 20 inches from a 24-inch monitor to avoid eye strain. Their research also found the average person should sit no closer than 1.5 times the diagonal length.
So knowing viewable monitor dimensions directly enables an ergonomic workstation. Upgrading to appropriately sized displays can provide big quality of life improvements according to Dr. Carla Wilcox, optometrist and founder of Pixel Perfect Vision:
We often don‘t consider monitor size from a health perspective. But pairing screen dimensions with desk limitations and ideal viewing distances can mean less headaches and eye discomfort.
Now that you see why monitor size matters, let‘s explore multiple techniques to easily measure.
Method #1: Manually Measuring Screen Diagonally
The most accurate way to quantify viewable monitor size involves good old fashioned measuring tapes. While simple, this manual approach works when lacking device specifications.
Step 1: Locate Top Left Usable Screen Corner
First, locate the starting point to measure diagonally using your eyes only – no bezel allowed!
Identify the top left corner of the visible screen, not including any plastic casing or border. Desktop monitors often boast thin bezels now which maximizes viewable area.
Step 2: Stretch Tape Measure to Opposite Corner
Next comes the easiest part: simply stretch your tape measure down to the opposite bottom right monitor corner.
You don‘t need fancy laser measurement tech here. A basic soft measuring tape found in any home works perfectly.
Step 3: Note Diagonal Screen Measurement
Finally, read inches or centimeters diagonally on your tape measure stretched corner to corner. This quantifies the all-important viewable size used for monitor comparisons and ideal viewing distance calculations.
While you could determine horizontal and vertical dimensions too, diagonal matters most for ergonomic setup. Stick within size guidelines of about arm‘s length for that just right experience.
Method #2: Lookup Monitor Brand and Model Specs
For those less hands-on, finding monitor size via model specifications may better suit your style. Luckily every display ships with telling model numbers and documentation.
Where to Locate Model Information
For desktop monitors, this identification hides on the bottom edge or back panel. Look for a sticker with both brand and specific model alpha-numeric sequences.
Laptops make locating even easier by putting specs directly on the bottom or inside the back cover. Again search out exact branding and model.
Armed with this inside information, online size enlightenment reaches mere minutes away.
Search Manufacturer‘s Website Using Model Number
With model numbers in hand, head to the manufacturer’s website listing technical specifications. For instance, searching “ Dell U2415” would surface that specific 24-inch Dell UltraSharp display.
Nearly all monitor and laptop makers compile searchable databases by model family. There you’ll find viewable size, aspect ratio, resolution specs and more.
General Online Searches Also Work
Don‘t want to hunt down the exact manufacturer site? No worries – a general web search often displays size too.
Simply put quotes around your model then add “monitor size specification” or “laptop screen size”.
"Dell U2415" monitor size specification
"Asus Zenbook 14x" screen size The first few results typically show either the manufacturer page described above or third party specifications databases.
Method #3: Instant Size Calculator Tools
While the above monitor measurement tactics certainly get the job done, even easier options exist. Welcome specialty size calculator tools and apps to the rescue!
Resolution/Aspect Ratio Based Size Finders
The quickest way to monitor screen enlightenment utilizes a size finder tool like ViewSonic’s. These web-based apps estimate diagonal size based on your current:
- Screen resolution
- Aspect ratio
After inputting those display settings instantly accessible on any computer, presto! Out pops viewable monitor size in inches or cm.
The advantage here is speed, requiring less than one minute without even standing up! However accuracy suffers slightly for monitors displaying custom resolutions or aspect ratios.
But for the majority of people rocking typical 1080p or 1440p 16:9 monitors, see near perfect alignment with manual measurements.
Physical Measurement Picture Apps
For enhanced precision without a tape measure, specialized apps like Screen Size deliver the goods.
Available on both iOS and Android mobile devices, these tools estimate size based on a credit card‘s or sheet of paper‘s known dimensions.
To measure, simply:
- Open app and select credit card or paper type
- Hold item against monitor screen horizontally
- Take picture with camera overlay guide
- Out pops screen diameter!
This virtual tape measure permits measuring any screen easily. However holding phone steady perpendicular to the display proves trickier than expected. So shutterbugs with calm hands have the best luck capturing images for analysis.
Pro Tips for Both Laptops and Desktop Setups
Hopefully by this point monitor size holds no mysteries, but a few size-related pointers around laptop vs desktop remain.
Match Monitor Size to Desk Available Space
Ideally your desk depth exceeds monitor stand footprint plus ideal viewing distance. Allow at least 20 inches from screen to eyes as a good minimum.
Upgrading monitor without considering desk limitations causes poor ergonomics and experience. Measure twice (or thrice), buy once.
Set Laptop External Monitors to Same Heights
Extending desktop real estate with matching external monitors mismatching laptop screen height strains necks. Using laptop stands, books, or boxes as boosters helps keep sightlines parallel.
Arrange Multiple Monitors Logically
When incorporating several displays, arrange left-to-right naturally based on priority and desk area:
- Main primary central monitor straight ahead
- Secondary displays on either side
- Vertical monitors to both far left and right edges
Doing so minimizes head turning and makes best use of available space.
Monitor Size Recommendations By Use Case
While choosing monitor size depends heavily on budget and spatial constraints, these general size guidelines maximize experience for common applications.
Everyday Home Computing
- 19 – 24 inches – Smooth web browsing, video watching, social media
- Sit at least 20 inches back
Office Work and Productivity
- 24 – 27 inches – Comfortably view multiple docs and apps
- Sit 20 – 40 inches away
Creative Tools and Media Editing
- 27 inches+ – Higher resolution displays fine details
- Sit 30+ inches back
PC Gaming and Immersion
- 32 – 40 inches – Captivating, engaging gaming visuals
- Curved widescreens further enhance immersion
- Sit fairly close for action
Monitor sizes will continue growing over the next decade according to DisplayScience analysts:
New monitor size niche segments arise thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques enabling larger, yet affordable panels. Expect high refresh rate curved ultrawides over 40 inches to emerge at under $1000 in the coming few years.
The Bottom Line
I hope this guide drove home the importance of understanding your exact monitor dimensions while offering easy measurement methods. Keeping display size top of mind unlocks a better viewing experience.
Optimizing monitor setup takes some planning, but pays off via boosted productivity and visual enjoyment for years to come.
So grab a tape measure, search those model numbers, or use an app right now to quantify monitor real estate. Perfect vision achieved through precise sizing measurements awaits!
