Small Monitors: What Is the Smallest Size for a PC?
Updated
The smallest desktop monitors in our chart are 20 inch models, such as the ViewSonic VA2025-H, Dell E2026H and ViewSonic VA2055Sm. Their screen is 17.4 in (44.3 cm)44.3 cm (17.4 in) wide and 9.8 in (24.9 cm)24.9 cm (9.8 in) tall.
What sizes do small monitors come in?
Desktop monitors start at 20 in (51 cm) and step up to 21.5, 22, 23.8 and 24 in. The table shows the screen only, the angle it fills from 24 in (61 cm) away, and the PPI at 1920 × 1080.
How big are the smallest monitors on a desk?
These are the 20 to 22 inch monitors in our list, with their stand. Sizes come from each maker’s spec sheet.
The narrowest is the ViewSonic VA2025-H, at 18.2 in (46.3 cm)46.3 cm (18.2 in). Each name links to the maker’s page. Last checked 9 October 2026.
Is a 20 inch monitor big enough?
For one window at a time, yes. From 24.0 in (61.0 cm)61.0 cm (24.0 in) away it fills about 40 degrees of your view, a little under the 30 to 40 degrees that feels full.
For two windows side by side or for games, a 24 inch screen is the better start.
What is smaller than a 20 inch monitor?
Portable monitors, which run from a laptop’s USB-C port, come in laptop sizes. Touch panels for tills and kiosks come smaller still.
We do not list these yet, because their sizes vary so much from maker to maker.
Where does a small monitor make sense?
It suits places where a big screen would be in the way:
- a second screen next to a laptop,
- a shallow desk or shelf,
- a kitchen, workshop or reception counter,
- a camera monitor or status display.
How do I choose between 20, 22 and 24 inch?
Each step up adds about an inch or two of screen width. These are the screen widths, before the frame:
- 20 in: 17.4 in (44.3 cm)44.3 cm (17.4 in) wide, for the tightest spaces.
- 22 in: 19.2 in (48.7 cm)48.7 cm (19.2 in) wide, a common office size.
- 24 in: 20.9 in (53.1 cm)53.1 cm (20.9 in) wide, the usual home and office pick.
See the full body sizes on our 20 inch, 22 inch and 24 inch monitor pages.
Should a small monitor be 1080p, 1440p or 4K?
At these sizes, 1920 × 1080 is already sharp. It gives 110 PPI at 20 in, 100 PPI at 22 in and 92 PPI at 24 in.
That is why 1080p is the standard for small monitors. A small 4K monitor at 24 in reaches 184 PPI, so text is crisper but needs scaling to stay readable. Read more on our 1080p resolution page.
How light are small monitors?
Light enough to move around easily. In our list, the ViewSonic VA2025-H weighs only 3.09 lb (1.4 kg) without its stand.
That makes them easy to put on a small arm or a wall mount. Check the VESA mount size on the back first.
Is a portable monitor a good small screen?
For travel, yes. Many portable monitors are 15.6 in (40 cm), with a screen 13.6 in (34.5 cm)34.5 cm (13.6 in) wide, the same as a large laptop.
Many run from a single USB-C cable for power and picture, if your laptop’s port supports video out. Compare the size with our 15.6 inch laptop dimensions.
Can I turn a small monitor on its side?
Yes, if the stand pivots or you use an arm. A 22 inch screen on its side is 19.2 in (48.7 cm)48.7 cm (19.2 in) tall. That shows a full page of a document or long lines of code.
Turn it in your computer’s display settings as well, so the picture rotates with it. A tall small screen next to a main one makes a neat pair.
Do two small monitors beat one big one?
Two 22 inch screens side by side are about 38.3 in (97.4 cm)97.4 cm (38.3 in) wide, against 23.5 in (59.8 cm)59.8 cm (23.5 in) for one 27 inch screen.
They give more total space, but with a bezel in the middle. Our dual monitor size guide compares each pair.
How far should I sit from a small monitor?
Closer than from a big one. At 20 in (51 cm), a 22 inch screen fills about 51° of your view. That is close to a 27 inch screen at 26 in (66 cm).
On a shallow desk that is useful, because a small screen can sit nearer without feeling too big. If you need glasses for close work, check you can read the screen at that distance.
Can a small monitor sit next to my laptop?
Yes, and the sizes pair well. A 15.6 inch laptop screen is 7.6 in (19.4 cm)19.4 cm (7.6 in) tall, while a 20 inch monitor is 9.8 in (24.9 cm)24.9 cm (9.8 in) tall.
Raise the laptop on a stand so the two screens line up at the top. Our dual monitor guide covers how to set up a pair, and 15.6 inch laptop dimensions shows the full body size.
What mount fits a small monitor?
Look for the VESA pattern on the spec sheet, the square of screw holes on the back. Small screens often use 75 × 75 mm or 100 × 100 mm.
Most monitor arms fit both patterns, and our 100 × 100 VESA page lists what that size holds. Some very thin models have no holes, so check before you buy an arm.
How do I check a small monitor when it arrives?
A quick check in the first days makes a return easy if something is wrong:
- Run our dead pixel test in full screen on each solid color.
- Check the refresh rate with our refresh rate test.
- Measure the screen with our monitor size checker.
Read our monitor return rules to see what counts as a fault.
What should I look for in a small monitor?
A short checklist covers what matters most at this size:
- 1080p resolution, which looks sharp at 20 to 24 inches.
- An IPS panel, for good color from any angle.
- VESA screw holes, so you can add an arm later.
- Height or tilt adjustment, to set the screen at eye level.
- The ports your computer uses, such as HDMI or USB-C.
Shop small and portable monitors
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Do small monitors use less power?
Yes. A smaller panel has less area to light, so it draws less power at the same brightness.
Can I wall mount a small monitor?
Yes, if it has VESA screw holes on the back. A wall mount frees the whole desk.
Is 21.5 inch the same as 22 inch?
No, they are separate sizes, though shops often group them. A 22 inch screen is 0.4 in (1.1 cm) wider than a 21.5 inch screen.
Can a 20 inch monitor show 1080p?
Yes. At 1920 × 1080, a 20 inch screen has 110 PPI, sharper than a 24 inch screen at the same resolution.
Is a 22 inch monitor too small for work?
Not for one window at a time. For two documents side by side, a 24 or 27 inch screen gives more room.
How wide is a 22 inch monitor?
The screen is <span class="u-in">19.2 in (48.7 cm)</span><span class="u-cm">48.7 cm (19.2 in)</span> wide. The body adds the frame, so check the spec sheet for the full width.
Is a 21.5 inch monitor the same as a 22 inch?
Often, yes. Many monitors sold as 22 inch have a screen of about 21.5 in, so check the viewable size on the spec sheet.
What is the smallest monitor for two windows side by side?
A 24 inch screen is the usual start. At 1920 × 1080, each window gets 960 pixels of width.
Are there desktop monitors under 20 inches?
We have not checked one yet, so 20 in is the smallest size in our chart. We add a size once we can copy its specs from the maker.
Is a small monitor cheaper to run?
Usually, because a smaller screen needs less backlight. Check the power figure on the spec sheet to compare two models.
Can a small monitor go on a wall or arm?
Yes. Most small monitors in our list use a 100 × 100 VESA pattern, and a few use 75 × 75.
How we measure
Screen width and height come from the diagonal and a 16:9 shape. Viewing angle = 2 × atan(width ÷ 2 ÷ distance). PPI = √(1920² + 1080²) ÷ the diagonal.