Choosing The Right Monitor: Understanding Size And Specifications

Knowing your monitor size is important for several reasons. It can help you determine the quality of your viewing experience, ensure you have the right setup, and inform your decision when buying or upgrading a new monitor. The size of your monitor determines the amount of screen real estate available to you, which can impact your productivity, gaming experience, and overall enjoyment of your computer. Here's how you can find out the size of your monitor:

Checking Your Monitor Size on Windows:

Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. Click on Advanced scaling settings under Scale and layout. Then, click on Advanced sizing of text and other items. This will open the Control Panel's Screen Resolution settings, where you can find the resolution of your monitor listed under the diagram of your monitor(s). To find the size, look for the diagonal measurement of your screen, which is typically listed in inches.

Checking Your Monitor Size on Mac:

Go to the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. Click on System Report at the bottom of the window, then scroll down to the Graphics/Displays section and click on it. Here, you'll find a list of all the displays connected to your Mac. Click on a display to check its resolution, which will be listed under Resolution. To find the size, calculate the diagonal measurement of your screen using the resolution and aspect ratio of your monitor.

Manually Measuring Your Monitor Size:

If you prefer a hands-on approach, you can manually measure your monitor size using a tape measure or ruler. First, turn off your monitor and unplug it from any power source. Then, measure the distance from the top-left corner of your screen to the bottom-right corner diagonally. Note the measurement in centimetres or inches.

It's important to only measure the screen itself and not include the bezel or frame around it. Additionally, make sure to measure the screen at its widest point to get the full diagonal measurement.

Manually measuring the screen

If you want to manually measure the size of your monitor, you will need a tape measure or a ruler. It is important to note that the monitor size is not the height or width of the monitor but the length of the diagonal. Most monitors have bezels, so you will need to measure the distance from the top-left corner of your screen to the bottom-right corner. This will give you the diagonal measurement.

If you want to know the exact dimensions of your monitor, you can also measure the height and width of the screen separately. To measure the height, place your ruler or tape measure at the top edge of the screen and measure down to the bottom edge. To determine the width, start measuring at the left edge of the screen and go across to the right edge.

When measuring, be sure to only measure the screen and not the bezel or frame around it. You should also note your measurements in centimetres or inches.

• Measure the screen diagonally to get the most precise monitor size.
• Measure from the inside of the frame, not the outside, to get an accurate measurement of the visible screen area.
• Use a straight edge, such as a ruler or a piece of cardboard, for accurate and straight measurements.
• Measure the screen at its widest point to ensure you are capturing the full diagonal.
• Double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy.

Additionally, if you want to find the aspect ratio of your monitor, you can compare the length and height. Monitors are usually made with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 5:3, 16:9, or 16:10. For example, if your monitor's length is 16 inches and the height is 10 inches, the aspect ratio is 16:10.

You can also use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the diagonal distance without physically measuring it. Simply square the screen's height and width, add the two numbers, and then find the square root of the sum. For example, if the height is 10 inches, multiply that by itself (10x10=100). Then, square the length (for a length of 16 inches, 16x16=256). Add the two numbers together (100+256=356) and then find the square root of the sum (√356=18.9).

Checking the model number

If you want to determine the size of your monitor by checking the model number, you can follow these steps:

First, find the model number of your monitor. This can usually be found printed along the top or bottom edge of the monitor or on a sticker at the back of the monitor.

Once you have the model number, you can try to deduce the size of your monitor from it. The model number often includes the size of the monitor. For example, an Acer 20-inch screen could have a model number of S201HL, where the "20" after the "S" indicates the size of the monitor. Typically, a model number starts with one or two letters, followed by numbers, with the first two numbers after the letters representing the size of the monitor.

If you are still unsure, you can quickly search for the model number online, which should provide you with the exact size of your monitor.

Additionally, if you are using a Windows computer, you can also check your monitor size by going to the Display settings and then Advanced scaling settings. This will open the Control Panel's "Screen Resolution" settings, where you can find the diagonal measurement of your screen, which is typically listed in inches.

For Mac users, go to the Apple menu and choose "About This Mac." From there, click on "System Report" and then navigate to the "Graphics/Displays" section to find the relevant information about your monitor's size.

Reviewing the specifications

Laptop:

• Check the specifications of your laptop. You can usually find this information in the documentation that came with your laptop or by searching for it online using your laptop's model number.
• Look for a section labelled "Screen", "Display", or something similar. This section should include details about the screen size, typically listed in inches.
• If you're unable to find the screen size in the specifications, try searching for it online. A simple online search of your laptop's model number should provide you with the exact screen size.

Smartphone or Tablet:

• Review the specifications of your smartphone or tablet. This information can usually be found in the documentation that came with your device or by searching for it online using your device's model number.
• Look for a section labelled "Screen", "Display", or similar. This section should include the screen size, typically listed in inches.
• If you're unable to find the screen size in the specifications, try performing an online search. By searching for your smartphone or tablet model number, you should be able to find the screen size.

Desktop Monitor:

• Check the model number of your desktop monitor. The model number may include the size of the monitor. For example, "Acer S201HL" indicates a 20-inch screen size, where "20" after the "S" represents the size.
• If the model number doesn't provide the size, try searching for it online. An online search of the model number should quickly reveal the monitor's size.

It's important to note that the monitor size refers to the length of the diagonal of the monitor, excluding any bezels or frames. This diagonal measurement is what is typically used to describe the size of the monitor. By reviewing the specifications or model number, you can easily determine the size of your monitor without having to physically measure it.

Checking the monitor size online

There are several ways to check your monitor size online. Here are some methods you can use:

Check the Model Number

Monitor sizes are often included in the model number. For example, an Acer S201HL monitor indicates a 20-inch screen size, where "20" after the "S" denotes the size. Typically, a model number starts with one or two letters, followed by numbers. The first two numbers after the letters usually represent the monitor's size.

Review the Specifications

If you have a laptop, its specifications should include the screen size. Check the laptop's specifications for a section labelled "Screen", "Display", or something similar. The screen size is typically listed in inches.

Online Search

If you are still unsure about the size, you can perform a quick online search of your monitor's model number or your laptop's model number. This should provide you with the exact screen size.

Use an Online Calculator

You can also use an online screen size calculator. By inputting the diagonal screen size or the aspect ratio, these calculators can help you determine the monitor's dimensions.

Calibration Tool

Another method is to use an online calibration tool. Place a physical credit card against an image of a card on the screen and adjust the image size until it matches the physical card. Once calibrated, the tool can provide the display dimensions.

It is important to note that some online methods may provide the screen resolution rather than the physical size. The most reliable way to determine the physical screen size is by manually measuring with a ruler or tape measure.

Using a screen size detector

Using an online screen size detector is a convenient way to determine your monitor's size without having to manually measure it. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use one:

Online Screen Size Detector

• Visit a reliable website that offers a screen size detector tool. For example, websites like InfoByIP.com and mdigi.tools provide tools to detect your screen size.
• On the website, look for a section or button labelled "Screen Size Detector", "Display Size Detector", or something similar.
• Follow the instructions provided by the tool. Typically, these tools will ask you to place a physical credit card against your screen and adjust the size of an on-screen card until they match. This calibration step ensures accurate results.
• Once calibrated, the tool will display the dimensions of your screen, typically in inches and sometimes in centimetres.
• Note down the screen dimensions provided by the tool.

It's important to remember that online screen size detectors may not always provide accurate results, especially for mobile devices. The most reliable way to determine your screen size is by manually measuring it with a ruler or tape measure. Additionally, these tools usually detect the physical dimensions of your screen, not the screen resolution.

Frequently asked questions