Find your screen’s sweet spot.
See how size and resolution change sharpness, desk space and the distance a screen fills your view. Every distance here is a reference you can adjust, not a rule for your eyes.
Free to use · Calculations stay in your browser · No sign-up
Let’s put numbers to it.
Your result appears here as you adjust the inputs.
Three numbers that explain a screen.
Pixel density & size
PPI = √(horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²) ÷ diagonal inches. Width and height use the same pixel ratio and diagonal, with 2.54 centimetres per inch. These are flat active-panel dimensions; bezels, stands and curved-panel geometry are excluded.
Higher PPI fits more pixels into the same area. It does not by itself establish colour accuracy, brightness, refresh rate, text comfort or compatibility with your computer.
Distance & workspace
FOV distance = screen width ÷ [2 × tan(horizontal angle ÷ 2)]. This is geometry for a centred viewer facing a flat display. The one-arcminute reference is the distance where one pixel spans 1/60 of a degree; it is not a promise that pixels become invisible.
Choose a comfortable posture and readable text. Scaling reduces the approximate logical workspace, not physical resolution. Visual acuity, eyesight correction, content and lighting all affect what feels comfortable.
Ergonomic context: OSHA’s computer workstation monitor guide describes a general comfortable viewing range of about 50–100 cm, with setup adjusted to the person. Reviewed 29 October 2026. PPI and field-of-view results are calculated from the geometry shown above.
A few useful answers.
Is this an ideal viewing distance?
There is no single ideal distance for every person and display. The field-of-view result is a geometric reference for your chosen angle. Adjust screen position and text size for comfort, and avoid leaning forward to read.
Will a 4K monitor make everything too small?
That depends on screen size and scaling. Increasing scaling can make text and controls larger while retaining the panel’s physical pixel density. The approximate workspace figure is illustrative; operating systems and apps handle scaling differently.
Can this calculator check my laptop supports the monitor?
No. Check the computer’s display limits, port version, cable or dock, resolution and refresh rate. Screen size and PPI alone cannot confirm compatibility.
Choose a screen for your actual setup.
Use the figures to narrow the size, then check connections, refresh rate, colour needs and the space on your desk.