Identifying Widescreen Monitors: Tips And Tricks

If you're unsure whether your monitor is widescreen, there are a few ways to find out. The easiest way is to simply look at the monitor itself. Older screens were more square-shaped, whereas newer ones are wider. If you're still unsure, you can check the resolution, which defines the shape of the monitor. A widescreen monitor will have a resolution with an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 16:10, while a more square monitor will have an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 5:4. You can usually find this information in the display settings on your device.

Check the resolution

The resolution of your monitor is a measurement based on the number of pixels on the display. The higher the pixels, the clearer the text and images on the screen. The resolution you can use depends on the capabilities of both your monitor and your video card.

The resolution defines the shape of the monitor. A widescreen display usually has an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 16:10, meaning 16 horizontal units and 9 or 10 vertical units. The older, more square-shaped monitors have an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 5:4.

To check the resolution of your monitor, follow these steps:

• Right-click on a blank area of your desktop.
• Click on 'Display Settings'.
• Find the resolution under or next to 'Display Resolution'.
• If you have more than one monitor, select the monitor you want to check from the top of the right panel.

The options you see are those supported by both your monitor and video card. For example, if you have a 4K monitor but don't see the option to change your resolution to 4K (3840 x 2160), it's usually because it's not supported by your video card (or vice-versa).

If you're using a Mac:

• Click on the Apple menu and select 'System Settings'.
• Click on 'Display'.
• Hover your mouse cursor over the icon highlighted in blue.

If you're using a Chromebook:

• Click on the clock in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
• Click on the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the pop-up menu.
• Click on the 'Device' tab in the left panel.
• Find the resolution under 'Display Size'.

You can also calculate the diagonal screen size by measuring the length and width of the screen in question, squaring both measurements, adding them together, and then finding the square root of the summand.

Divide the first number by the second number

To determine whether your monitor is widescreen, you need to find its aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is the relationship between the height and width of a rectangular display.

The resolution of your monitor is displayed as width x height in pixels (e.g. 1920 x 1080). To find the aspect ratio, simply divide the first number by the second number.

If the result of this calculation is 1.33333333 or lower, your monitor is "standard" (a 4:3 aspect ratio). If the result is higher, it's widescreen, which is now the standard (a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio).

For example, a resolution of 1440 x 900 gives an aspect ratio of 1.6 (1440/900 = 1.6), so this is a widescreen monitor. A resolution of 1280 x 1024 gives an aspect ratio of 1.25 (1280/1024 = 1.25), so this is a standard or "tallscreen" monitor.

You can also use the resolution to calculate the diagonal screen size. The diagonal screen size is the square root of the sum of the squares of the width and height. So, for a resolution of 1440 x 900, the diagonal screen size is the square root of (1440^2 + 900^2), which is 1800.

Aspect ratio

The aspect ratio of a monitor is the relationship between the height and width of its screen. It is expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, such as 16:9 or 4:3. The first number refers to the width, and the second to the height. For example, a 16:9 aspect ratio means the screen is 16 units wide and 9 units high.

The most common aspect ratios for monitors are 16:9 and 16:10, which are considered widescreen. Older monitors tend to have aspect ratios of 4:3 or 5:4, which are sometimes referred to as "standard" or "square-shaped".

To determine the aspect ratio of your monitor, you can check the specifications provided by the manufacturer. You can also calculate it yourself by measuring the width and height of the screen in pixels and dividing them. For example, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 has an aspect ratio of 16:9 (1920 / 1080 = 16 / 9).

It is also possible to determine the aspect ratio of your monitor using built-in settings on your computer. On a Windows PC, you can right-click on the desktop and select "Display Settings". On a Mac, you can click on "System Settings" and then "Display".

Check the monitor's specifications

Checking the specifications of your monitor is a straightforward way to determine whether it is a widescreen model. Here is a detailed guide on how to do that:

Locate the Model Number:

Start by finding the model number of your monitor, which is typically printed along the top, bottom, or back of the monitor. It is usually placed alongside other information, such as the brand name and logo. If you can't find it on the monitor's exterior, try checking the original packaging or user manual, if available.

Online Search:

Once you have the model number, open a web browser and perform an online search by entering the brand name and model number. This should lead you to the manufacturer's webpage for that specific monitor model. Navigate to the manufacturer's website if the initial search doesn't bring up the desired results. Look for sections like "Products," "Electronics," or "Monitors" to find the relevant category and locate your monitor model.

Access Monitor Specifications:

On the manufacturer's webpage for your specific monitor model, you will find detailed specifications, including the screen resolution, aspect ratio, and other relevant information.

The screen resolution is typically listed in a width x height format, such as 1920 x 1080, indicating the number of pixels on the horizontal and vertical axes. Widescreen monitors commonly have higher resolutions than standard square monitors.

The aspect ratio is another critical specification. It represents the ratio of the screen's width to its height. Common aspect ratios for widescreen monitors include 16:9 (widescreen) and 21:9 (ultrawide). If the aspect ratio is 4:3, it is typically considered a standard square monitor.

By checking these specifications—the screen resolution and aspect ratio—you can confidently determine whether your monitor is a widescreen model or not.

Measure the length and width of the screen

To determine whether you have a widescreen monitor, you need to find out the aspect ratio of your screen. The aspect ratio is the relationship between the height and width of a rectangular display.

To find the aspect ratio, you must first measure the length and width of your screen. You can then use the following formulae:

• Diagonal² = height² + width²
• AR (aspect ratio) = width / height
• Area = width x height

If you have a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio, your screen is widescreen. If your aspect ratio is 4:3 or 5:4, your screen is not widescreen.

You can also find your screen resolution by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting "Display Settings". Your screen resolution will be displayed as width x height in pixels (e.g. 1920 x 1080).

Frequently asked questions