Monitor size is primarily measured diagonally across the screen in inches.
Understanding Monitor Measurement
According to Lenovo's glossary, "Monitor size refers to the physical dimensions of a monitor screen, typically measured in inches diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner." This diagonal measurement is the standard way display sizes for monitors, televisions, and even phone screens are determined and advertised.
Why Diagonal Measurement?
Measuring diagonally provides a single number that gives a general idea of the screen's overall viewing area, regardless of its aspect ratio (the ratio of its width to its height).
- Simplicity: It's a straightforward method to get a quick sense of the screen's surface area.
- Standardization: It's a universally accepted industry standard, making it easy to compare different models.
For example, a 27-inch monitor means the distance from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner (or vice-versa) is 27 inches.
Common Monitor Sizes
Monitors come in a wide range of sizes to suit different needs and desk spaces. Here are some common diagonal measurements:
- 24 inches
- 27 inches
- 32 inches
- 34 inches (often for ultrawide monitors)
While the diagonal measurement gives you the size, the actual usable screen area can also be influenced by the monitor's aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9 widescreen vs. 21:9 ultrawide).
Other Monitor Specifications
While diagonal inches measure the physical screen size, monitors are also "measured" or specified by many other technical characteristics that impact performance and viewing experience. These include:
- Resolution: The number of pixels horizontally and vertically (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD, 3840x2160 for 4K UHD).
- Refresh Rate: How many times the image on the screen is updated per second (measured in Hertz, Hz).
- Response Time: How quickly a pixel can change from one color to another (measured in milliseconds, ms).
- Aspect Ratio: The ratio of the screen's width to its height (e.g., 16:9, 21:9).
However, when someone asks about the size of a monitor, they are almost always referring to the diagonal measurement in inches.
In summary, the primary way monitor size is measured is by the diagonal distance of the screen from one corner to the opposite corner, expressed in inches.
