How to Measure a Laptop Screen: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide
Ever found yourself puzzled about how big your laptop screen really is? Maybe you’re shopping online for a new laptop stand or trying to compare your laptop’s size with a friend’s. Measuring a laptop screen sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly easy to get it wrong—especially if you’re not sure what to measure or where to start.
Don’t worry—you’re not alone in this. Lots of people get confused about whether to include the bezel or the entire laptop body, or whether to measure horizontally or diagonally. So let’s break it down step-by-step, with clear instructions and helpful tips to get you measuring like a pro.
What Tools Do I Need to Measure a Laptop Screen?
Before you dive into measuring, it helps to have the right tools at hand. Lucky for you, you don’t need anything fancy.
- A ruler or measuring tape: A tape measure is easiest, especially if your screen is big, but a standard ruler works just fine.
- A notepad and pen (optional): To jot down your measurements or notes.
- Good lighting: Makes it easier to see where the screen edges start and end.
- Steady hands: Hey, this one’s free!
You won’t need any special software or complicated gadgets. Just keep a tape measure or ruler nearby.
How Do I Measure the Screen Size Correctly?
Here’s where many people get tangled up. The screen size of a laptop isn’t how wide or tall the entire device is. Instead, it refers specifically to the viewable part of the screen—the actual display area.
Step 1: Open Your Laptop Fully
Make sure your laptop is open at 90 degrees or more. This way, the screen is flat and easy to measure without any awkward angles.
Step 2: Identify the Screen Borders
Look closely and find where the display area starts and ends. The screen itself is the shiny or matte area that lights up. It’s often surrounded by a plastic or metal frame called the bezel.
Don’t confuse the bezel with the screen—that’s a common mistake! The bezel is the border around the screen, and it should not be included in your measurement.
Step 3: Measure the Screen Diagonally
Take your ruler or tape measure and place one end at the top left corner of the screen’s viewable area, and the other end at the bottom right corner. You’re measuring corner to corner diagonally.
Why diagonally? Because laptop and monitor sizes are always listed this way, so it matches industry standards.
Step 4: Note the Measurement
The distance you get, usually in inches, is your screen size. For instance, if your diagonal measurement is about 15.6 inches, your laptop screen size is 15.6-inches.
Should I Measure the Screen Diagonally or Horizontally?
This question trips up beginners all the time. While measuring horizontally (width) or vertically (height) might seem intuitive, the industry standard is to measure diagonally.
Why is that? Well, screens have different aspect ratios—some are wider, some are taller. Measuring diagonally gives you a consistent way to compare sizes, no matter the shape.
Don’t worry about the width or height alone—they’re useful to know but won’t tell you the “screen size” manufacturers list.
Does the Bezel Affect the Screen Measurement?
Ah, the pesky bezel.
You might be tempted to start your measurement from the edge of the laptop’s frame (bezel) because it’s the first thing you see. But here’s the catch:
The bezel is not part of the screen. It’s like the frame around a painting—important for protection and aesthetics, but it doesn’t display anything.
If you include the bezel, your measurement will be bigger than the actual screen size. So always measure just the viewable screen area, ignoring the bezel thickness.
Quick Tip:
Some modern laptops have ultra-thin bezels, so it might be tricky to see where the screen ends and the bezel begins. Try turning your screen off in a dark room—that contrast helps reveal the exact edges.
Common Pain Points and How to Avoid Them
1. Confusing Screen Size With Laptop Body Size
Your laptop’s overall size (body) is often bigger than the screen. For example, a 15.6-inch laptop might be almost 14 inches wide when the bezel and casing are included.
So, don’t measure the entire laptop lid or frame—just the screen portion.
2. Including Bezels in Screen Measurements
As we said earlier, the bezel doesn’t count. Measuring it will give you a misleading number. Always focus on the lit-up display area only.
3. Finding the Exact Screen Specification
If you want to double-check your measurements against official specs, look up your laptop’s model number online. Manufacturers usually list the screen size in the spec sheet.
If you can’t find it:
- Search for your laptop’s full model name followed by “specs” or “screen size.”
- Check websites like the manufacturer’s support page or trusted retailers.
Step-by-Step Summary Table
| Step | Instructions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open laptop fully (90 degrees or more) | Helps get accurate measurement |
| 2 | Locate the screen’s viewable area | Don’t include bezel |
| 3 | Measure diagonally from top-left to bottom-right | Use a ruler or tape measure |
| 4 | Record the measurement in inches | This number is your screen size |
| 5 | Double-check with laptop specs online | Optional, for verification |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I measure the screen horizontally instead?
You can, but the industry standard for screen size is diagonal measurement. Measuring diagonal makes it easier to compare laptops with different aspect ratios.
What if my screen has irregular edges or curves?
Most laptop screens are rectangular, but if your screen curves or has unusual shapes, measure the longest visible diagonal line. For curved edges, just approximate the straight-line diagonal.
Does screen resolution affect how I measure the screen size?
Nope! Resolution (like 1920×1080) is about pixel density, not physical size. Measuring is all about physical dimensions.
How accurate does my measurement need to be?
Within about a quarter of an inch is fine for casual use. For buying accessories like laptop bags, manufacturers usually allow a bit of size wiggle.
Real-Life Example: Measuring a Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series
Let’s say you own a Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series laptop and want to verify its screen size.
- You open the laptop fully and see the screen is surrounded by a thin black bezel.
- Using your measuring tape, you place one end at the top-left corner of the screen’s display area.
- Stretch the tape diagonally to the bottom-right corner.
- The tape shows about 15.6 inches.
This matches Dell’s specification for this model’s screen size. You just nailed it!
Wrapping It Up
Measuring your laptop screen doesn’t need to be complicated or frustrating. With a simple tape measure and a little patience, you can get an accurate screen size without guessing.
Just remember:
- Measure diagonally across the viewable screen area
- Ignore the bezel—it’s not part of the screen
- Don’t confuse screen size with the overall laptop dimensions
Once you get this down, you’ll never second-guess your laptop size again. Next time you’re shopping for a laptop bag, dock, or screen protector, you’ll know exactly what fits.
References:
[1] According to LaptopMag (https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/how-to-measure-laptop-screen), measuring diagonally from corner to corner gives the true screen size.
[2] As per HP Support (https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00381524), bezels are not included when calculating screen size.
[3] According to Dell Official Website (https://www.dell.com/support), laptop screen sizes are always listed diagonally across the actual display area.
If you have any other questions or want me to walk you through a tricky measurement, just ask!
