Finding The Perfect Viewing Height For Your Monitor

Knowing how to find the height of your monitor is important for several reasons. The size of your monitor determines the amount of screen real estate available to you, which can greatly impact your productivity, gaming experience, and overall enjoyment of your computer. For example, a larger monitor generally means more pixels and a sharper and more detailed image, which is very crucial if you deal with graphic design, photo or video editing, or other visually demanding duties.

Additionally, knowing your monitor's height and size can help you ensure you have the right setup. For instance, if you're a gamer, you may want a larger monitor for a more immersive experience, while a writer or programmer might prefer a smaller monitor to help them focus on their work.

- Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the vertical height of the monitor screen, excluding the frame or border.

- Look up the model number of your monitor on the manufacturer's website or through a search engine.

- On a Windows computer, go to Display settings > Advanced scaling settings > Advanced sizing of text and other items. This will open the Control Panel's Screen Resolution settings, where you can find the diagonal measurement of your screen.

- On a Mac, go to About This Mac > System Report > Graphics/Displays. Click on the display you want to check to find its resolution, then calculate the diagonal measurement using the resolution and aspect ratio.

How to physically measure your monitor's height

To physically measure your monitor's height, you will need a tape measure or a ruler. It is recommended that you turn off your monitor and unplug it from any power source before you begin.

• Place your tape measure or ruler at the top-left corner of your screen.
• Extend the tape measure or ruler diagonally to the bottom-right corner of the screen.
• Note the measurement in centimetres or inches. This diagonal measurement will give you the most accurate reading of your monitor's size.
• If you want to know the exact height of your monitor, place your ruler or tape measure at the top edge of the screen and measure down to the bottom edge.
• Take note of the height measurement in inches or centimetres.

To ensure accurate and precise measurements, follow these tips:

• Measure the screen diagonally to get the most accurate measurement of your monitor's size.
• If your monitor has a bezel or frame, measure from the inside of the frame to get a more accurate reading 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 of the screen.
• Double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy.

How to adjust your monitor's height for comfort

To adjust your monitor's height for comfort, follow these steps:

Firstly, position your monitor directly in front of you at your workspace. If it's too far to one side, you may develop neck and shoulder pain from constantly turning your head.

Next, adjust the height so that your eyes are level with the top of the screen, or the section of the screen 2-3 inches (5.08-7.62 cm) below. This will prevent neck and shoulder pain from tilting your head back or forward. If you wear bifocals or trifocals, you may need to lower the monitor by a few extra inches.

If you use two monitors, place the primary one directly in front of you and the secondary one beside it, at the same height and distance, on the side of your dominant eye.

The monitor should be about an arm's length away from you, and between 50cm and 100cm from your eyes. This will help to prevent eye strain.

If you can't adjust the height of your monitor, try adjusting the height of your chair. You can also place your monitor on a stand or arm to help achieve the correct height.

How to adjust your monitor's height for a standing desk

To adjust your monitor's height for a standing desk, it's important to consider your comfort and posture. Here are some tips to help you find the optimal height:

• Position the top of your monitor at eye level or slightly below. This will help you maintain a neutral neck posture and avoid straining your neck.
• Adjust the height so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle from the floor. This is generally considered the proper height for a standing desk.
• Maintain a distance of about 24 inches (61 cm) between your eyes and the monitor. This focal distance can help prevent eye strain and improper head tilting.
• Tilt the monitor screen slightly back, with an upward tilt of between 10 and 20 degrees. This reduces glare from overhead lights and ensures you don't need to tilt your neck up or down.
• Ensure there is an optimal distance between the monitor and your standing position. This will help relieve pressure on your eyes and reduce back strain.
• Consider using a monitor arm to easily adjust the height and position of your monitor throughout the day.
• Alternate between sitting and standing. Early research suggests spending one hour standing for every one to two hours of sitting.

How to find your monitor's height on Windows

The size of a monitor is typically described by the length of the diagonal of the screen, rather than the height or width. To find the height of your monitor on a Windows computer, you can either manually measure it or find the information digitally. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do both:

Manually Measuring Your Monitor's Height

• Turn off your monitor and unplug it from the power source.
• Using a tape measure or ruler, measure the distance from the top-left corner of your screen to the bottom-right corner.
• Note the measurement in centimetres or inches. This diagonal measurement is the size of your monitor.
• If you want to know the exact height and width of your monitor, measure each separately.

Tips for Accurate Manual Measurements:

• Measure the screen diagonally for the most precise indication of your monitor's size.
• Measure from the inside of the frame, rather than the outside, to get an accurate reading of the visible screen area.
• Use a straight edge, like a ruler or a piece of cardboard, for accurate and straight measurements.
• Measure the screen at its widest point to ensure you capture the full diagonal.

Finding Your Monitor's Height on Windows

• Right-click on your desktop and select "Display settings" from the context menu.
• Click on "Advanced scaling settings" under "Scale and layout".
• On the "Advanced scaling settings" page, click on "Advanced sizing of text and other items".
• This will open the Control Panel's "Screen Resolution" settings, which will show a diagram of your monitor(s) with their resolutions listed underneath.
• Look for the diagonal measurement of your screen, which is typically listed in inches (e.g., "24 inches" or "27 inches").
• If you can't find the diagonal measurement, you can calculate it using your monitor's resolution and aspect ratio.
• Use the following formula: Diagonal screen size = √(height^2 + width^2).

For example, if your monitor has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and an aspect ratio of 16:9, you would calculate the diagonal screen size as follows: Diagonal screen size = √(1080^2 + 1920^2) / 96 = 21.5 inches.

Adjusting Display Settings

Once you've determined your monitor's size, you can adjust the scaling settings to change how text and other items appear on your screen. This can be helpful if you have a high-resolution monitor and find that the text or icons are too small.

To adjust the scaling settings, go back to the Display settings page and click on "Scale and layout". Here, you can choose from different scaling options, ranging from 100% (the default) to 300%.

You can also adjust the size of text, apps, and other items individually by clicking on "Advanced scaling settings" and moving the "Custom scaling" slider.

Knowing the size of your monitor has several advantages:

• It helps you choose the ideal monitor for your needs when buying a new one.
• It allows you to determine the optimal viewing distance to reduce eye strain, neck pain, and other discomforts associated with extended computer use.
• It enables you to adjust your display settings for the best viewing experience, including resolution, scaling, aspect ratio, brightness, contrast, and colour.
• It helps you select compatible accessories like monitor stands, wall mounts, and screen protectors, which are designed for specific monitor sizes.
• A larger monitor can enhance productivity by providing more screen space for multitasking and document editing.

How to find your monitor's height on a Mac

To find the height of your monitor on a Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click on the Apple menu

Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. This will open a drop-down menu.

Step 2: Select "About This Mac"

From the Apple menu drop-down, select "About This Mac." This will open a window showing an overview of your Mac's hardware and software information.

Step 3: Click on "System Report"

At the bottom of the "About This Mac" window, you'll find the "System Report" button. Click on this to view more detailed information about your Mac's hardware and software.

Step 4: Find "Graphics/Displays" in the "System Report"

In the "System Report" window, scroll down until you see the "Graphics/Displays" section. This section will list all the displays connected to your Mac, including internal and external monitors.

Step 5: Click on the display you want to measure

To view the information for a specific display, click on it. This will open a new window with detailed information about that display.

Step 6: Find the resolution under "Resolution"

In the display's information window, you'll see the resolution listed under "Resolution." For example, it might say "1920 x 1080."

Step 7: Calculate the diagonal screen size

To find the height of your monitor, you'll need to calculate the diagonal screen size using the resolution and aspect ratio. You can use the following formula:

Diagonal screen size = √(height^2 + width^2)

For example, if your resolution is 1920 x 1080 and your aspect ratio is 16:9, the calculation would be:

Diagonal screen size = √(1080^2 + 1920^2) = 21.5 inches

The height of your monitor can then be calculated by using the aspect ratio. For example, if the diagonal screen size is 21.5 inches and the aspect ratio is 16:9, the height would be:

Height = 21.5 inches x 9 / (16 + 9) = 12.1 inches

So, in this example, the height of your monitor would be 12.1 inches.

Alternatively, you can physically measure the height of your monitor using a tape measure or ruler. Make sure to measure the screen's height from the top edge to the bottom edge, excluding any bezels or frames.

Frequently asked questions