How do I compare two screen sizes?

Select two screens from our device presets or enter custom dimensions including diagonal size, aspect ratio, and optional resolution. The tool will display both screens side-by-side with detailed metrics showing width, height, area, and size difference.

What is the difference between screen diagonal and screen area?

Screen diagonal is the measurement from one corner to the opposite corner. Screen area is the total surface area calculated from width times height. Two screens can have similar diagonals but very different areas depending on their aspect ratios.

How much bigger is a 27-inch monitor compared to a 24-inch monitor?

Assuming both have the same aspect ratio (16:9), a 27-inch monitor has approximately 26% more screen area than a 24-inch monitor. The difference is more significant than it might seem from the diagonal measurement alone.

Can I compare phone screens with TV screens?

Yes, our tool allows you to compare any two screens regardless of device type. You can compare smartphones, tablets, monitors, TVs, and laptops to see the actual size differences between different device categories.

What aspect ratios does the tool support?

Our tool supports all common aspect ratios including 16:9 (widescreen), 21:9 (ultrawide), 4:3 (traditional), 16:10 (productivity), 3:2 (laptops), 9:16 (portrait), and custom aspect ratios. You can also enter custom width and height ratios for specialized displays.

How is PPI calculated?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is calculated by dividing the diagonal resolution by the diagonal screen size. If you enter a resolution, the tool will calculate PPI for both screens, allowing you to compare pixel density and image sharpness.

Is screen size the same as resolution?

No, screen size refers to the physical dimensions of the display, while resolution indicates the number of pixels. A 27-inch monitor can have 1080p, 1440p, or 4K resolution. Higher resolution on the same screen size results in higher pixel density and sharper images.

Screen Size Comparison Tool

Compare screen sizes side-by-side and see the real difference between monitors, TVs, and mobile devices

Visual Comparison Made Easy

Choose from popular devices or enter custom dimensions to compare screen sizes with detailed metrics and visual representation.

Start Comparing

SCREEN COMPARISON

Compare Display Sizes

Select two screens to compare their dimensions side-by-side. Choose from popular devices or enter custom specifications for accurate size comparison.

Screen A

Device Preset

Select Device

Screen Diagonal

inches

Aspect Ratio

Resolution (Optional)

Screen B

Device Preset

Select Device

Screen Diagonal

inches

Aspect Ratio

Resolution (Optional)

Visual Comparison

Screen A

Screen B

Detailed Metrics

Screen A

Screen Dimensions

Diagonal

Aspect Ratio

Area

PPI (Pixels Per Inch)

Resolution

Screen B

Screen Dimensions

Diagonal

Aspect Ratio

Area

PPI (Pixels Per Inch)

Resolution

Size Difference

Enter specifications for both screens to see comparison

Understanding Screen Size Comparison

Everything you need to know about comparing display sizes

Screen size comparison helps you understand the actual physical difference between displays before making a purchase decision. Our tool provides visual representation and detailed metrics to make informed choices about monitors, TVs, and mobile devices.

Why Compare Screen Sizes? Comparing screen sizes helps you visualize the actual difference between devices. A few inches in diagonal measurement can mean significant differences in screen area and viewing experience. This tool provides accurate visual representation and calculations to help you make informed purchasing decisions.

Diagonal vs Actual Size Screen size is measured diagonally, but what matters most is the actual width and height. Two screens with the same diagonal measurement can have different dimensions if they have different aspect ratios. Our tool calculates the actual physical dimensions for accurate comparison.

Aspect Ratio Impact Aspect ratio significantly affects screen dimensions. A 27-inch 16:9 monitor has different width and height than a 27-inch 21:9 ultrawide display. Understanding how aspect ratios change screen proportions is essential for choosing the right display for your needs.

Screen Area Comparison Screen area is the true measure of viewing space. A slightly larger diagonal measurement can provide significantly more screen area. Our tool calculates and compares the total area of both displays, showing you the percentage difference in usable viewing space.

How to Use the Screen Size Comparison Tool

Our screen size comparison tool provides an intuitive way to visualize and compare display dimensions. Whether you are choosing between monitors for your desk setup, deciding on a TV size for your living room, or comparing smartphone screens, this tool gives you accurate measurements and visual representation.

To compare screens, select two devices from our extensive preset library or enter custom specifications. For each screen, you can specify the diagonal size, aspect ratio, and resolution. The tool instantly calculates width, height, total area, and if resolution is provided, pixels per inch for detailed comparison.

Understanding Screen Measurements

Screen size is traditionally measured diagonally from corner to corner in inches. However, this single measurement does not tell the whole story. The aspect ratio determines how that diagonal measurement translates into actual width and height dimensions.

For example, a 27-inch monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio measures approximately 23.5 inches wide and 13.2 inches tall. The same 27-inch diagonal in a 21:9 ultrawide format would be approximately 25.3 inches wide but only 10.7 inches tall. This difference in proportions significantly affects the viewing experience and usable screen space.

Aspect Ratio and Screen Proportions

16:9 widescreen is the most common aspect ratio for modern displays. It provides a good balance for both productivity and entertainment. Most monitors, laptops, and TVs use this format.

21:9 ultrawide monitors offer significantly more horizontal space, making them ideal for multitasking and immersive gaming. However, they provide less vertical space than 16:9 displays of the same diagonal measurement.

16:10 aspect ratio provides slightly more vertical space than 16:9, making it popular for productivity-focused monitors and laptops. The extra vertical space is valuable for document editing and web browsing.

4:3 traditional format was the standard for older monitors and TVs. It provides more square proportions compared to modern widescreen formats.

Screen Area vs Diagonal Measurement

Screen area is arguably more important than diagonal measurement when comparing displays. The area calculation reveals the actual viewing space available. A small increase in diagonal size can result in a significant increase in screen area.

For instance, upgrading from a 24-inch to a 27-inch monitor (both 16:9) increases the diagonal by 12.5%, but the screen area increases by approximately 26%. This substantial difference in viewing space is why many users find the jump from 24 to 27 inches significant.

Choosing the Right Screen Size

The ideal screen size depends on several factors including viewing distance, intended use, and available desk or wall space. For desktop monitors, a 24-inch display works well for distances of 60-90 cm, while 27-32 inch monitors are better suited for viewing distances of 90-120 cm.

Television size selection follows similar principles. A 55-inch TV is suitable for viewing distances of 2-3 meters, while 65-75 inch displays work better in larger rooms with viewing distances of 3-4 meters.

Resolution and Pixel Density

Resolution indicates how many pixels make up the display. Common resolutions include Full HD (1920×1080), QHD (2560×1440), and 4K UHD (3840×2160). Higher resolution provides more detail and sharper images, but the impact depends on screen size and viewing distance.

Pixel density, measured in PPI (pixels per inch), determines image sharpness. Higher PPI means sharper text and images. A 27-inch 4K monitor has much higher PPI than a 27-inch Full HD monitor, resulting in noticeably crisper visuals.

For desktop monitors, 90-110 PPI is typical for Full HD displays, while 140-180 PPI is common for 4K monitors. Smartphone displays typically exceed 300 PPI for optimal clarity at typical viewing distances.

Practical Applications

Use our comparison tool when shopping for new displays to understand exactly how different sizes compare. This helps avoid surprises when your new monitor or TV arrives. Visualizing the size difference beforehand ensures you choose the right display for your space and needs.

Designers and developers can use this tool to understand different device screen sizes when creating responsive layouts. Comparing phone, tablet, and desktop screen dimensions helps ensure your designs work well across all device categories.

If you are setting up a multi-monitor workstation, comparing different monitor sizes helps you choose displays that work well together. Understanding the height and width differences is essential for creating a comfortable multi-monitor setup.