Screen Size vs Width and Height
Learn why a screen's advertised diagonal does not directly tell you its width and height.
Screen size means diagonal
A 15.6-inch laptop screen is measured from one visible corner to the opposite corner. It does not mean the device is 15.6 inches wide.
Aspect ratio changes the dimensions
Two screens with the same diagonal can have different widths and heights when their aspect ratios differ. A 16:9 display is wider and shorter than a 4:3 display with the same diagonal.
Bezels are separate
Screen diagonal normally describes the display panel, not the full device. Check the manufacturer's product dimensions when fitting a laptop, monitor, or TV into a space.
Related measurement tools
Convert a value with the inches-to-cm converter, use the reverse centimeter converter, or compare common values in the inch-to-cm chart. Popular examples include 10 inches in cm and 12 inches in cm.
Browse the complete inch-to-cm chart →
Frequently asked questions
Does screen size include the bezel?
Usually not. It normally describes the visible display diagonal.
Can two screens with the same diagonal have different dimensions?
Yes. Different aspect ratios produce different widths and heights.