Ultrawide and Extra Wide Monitor Sizes

How wide and tall is each ultrawide size?

These are screen sizes only. The last column is the 16:9 monitor with the same screen height, which helps you picture it.

How does a 34 inch ultrawide compare with a 27 inch monitor?

They are almost the same height: 13.1 in (33.3 cm)33.3 cm (13.1 in) against 13.2 in (33.6 cm)33.6 cm (13.2 in). The ultrawide adds about 7.8 in (19.9 cm)19.9 cm (7.8 in) of width, roughly a third more screen to the sides.

What resolution does each ultrawide size use?

Each shape has its own set of resolutions. Check the one on the spec sheet, since sizes can share a shape but not a resolution.

How much desk space does an ultrawide need?

Width and depth come from each maker’s spec sheet, with the stand for depth. A 49 inch screen alone is 47.2 in (119.8 cm) wide, so measure your desk first.

Each name links to the maker’s page. Last checked 9 October 2026.

How far should I sit from an ultrawide?

Further than from a normal monitor, because the screen is wider. A 34 inch ultrawide fills 40 degrees of your view from 43.1 in (109.4 cm)109.4 cm (43.1 in). Any closer, and you turn your head to reach the edges.

A curved screen helps here, because it brings the edges closer to you.

Who is an ultrawide monitor for?

The extra width suits work and play that spreads sideways:

• two or three windows side by side on one screen,
• video and audio editing, with long timelines,
• racing and flight games that support a wide view,
• spreadsheets with many columns.

For mostly 16:9 video or console games, a normal 16:9 monitor is the better fit.

What is the difference between 21:9 and 32:9?

32:9 is twice as wide as 16:9, so it works like two normal monitors joined together. 21:9 sits in between, about a third wider than 16:9.

A 49 inch 32:9 screen is 47.2 in (119.8 cm)119.8 cm (47.2 in) wide, close to two 27 inch screens at 47.1 in (119.5 cm)119.5 cm (47.1 in) together. A 34 inch 21:9 screen is 31.4 in (79.7 cm)79.7 cm (31.4 in) wide.

Should I get a 34 or 38 inch ultrawide?

The 38 inch size is taller as well as wider. Its 12:5 screen is 35.1 in (89.1 cm)89.1 cm (35.1 in) by 14.6 in (37.1 cm)37.1 cm (14.6 in). A 34 inch 21:9 screen is 31.4 in (79.7 cm)79.7 cm (31.4 in) by 13.1 in (33.3 cm)33.3 cm (13.1 in).

It usually runs at 3840 × 1600, so text is about as sharp at 109 PPI as a 34 inch screen at 110 PPI. See both on our 34 inch and 38 inch ultrawide pages.

Is a 45 inch ultrawide worth it?

It gives the biggest 21:9 picture, 41.5 in (105.4 cm)105.4 cm (41.5 in) wide and 17.4 in (44.1 cm)44.1 cm (17.4 in) tall. At 3440 × 1440 it has only 83 PPI, so you need to sit further back than with a 34 inch screen.

It suits deep desks and immersive games more than office work. Check the size on our 45 inch ultrawide dimensions page.

How do I split the screen on an ultrawide?

Both main systems can snap windows into place. Use these shortcuts:

• Windows 11: press Windows + Z, or hover over the maximize button, and pick a layout.
• Mac: hold the pointer over the green button at the top left of a window and choose a tile.

Many ultrawides also have picture-by-picture, which shows two computers side by side. It is listed in the monitor’s menu or spec sheet.

How do I mount an ultrawide monitor?

Most ultrawides use a standard VESA pattern, often 100 × 100. Check the pattern and weight on the spec sheet before you choose an arm.

The arm must hold the weight without the stand, and stay balanced with a wide screen. Our 100 × 100 VESA page lists the screw sizes and spacing.

Is one ultrawide better than two monitors?

For one wide window, such as a timeline or a game, yes, because there is no bezel in the middle. For two separate jobs, two screens can be cheaper and more flexible.

Compare the widths in our dual monitor size guide before you choose.

Does an ultrawide need a powerful computer?

For office work, no. For games, the extra pixels add up, so here is how the common ultrawide resolutions compare with 4K:

• 2560 × 1080: 33% of the pixels of 4K.
• 3440 × 1440: 60% of 4K.
• 3840 × 1600: 74% of 4K.
• 5120 × 1440: 89% of 4K.

A graphics card that handles a game at 1440p will need to work harder at the same settings on 3440 × 1440. Our guide is 3440 × 1440 4K? goes into more detail.

Do videos fill an ultrawide screen?

Most do not. A 16:9 video on a 34 inch 21:9 screen leaves a black bar about 4.0 in (10.2 cm)10.2 cm (4.0 in) wide at each side.

Films shot at about 2.39:1 fit much better, with only thin bars or none. Many recent PC games support 21:9, so the picture fills the full width.

Can a laptop run an ultrawide monitor?

Usually, yes. Check these points first:

• The laptop’s HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C port supports the monitor’s full resolution.
• A USB-C port shows a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt symbol, which means it carries video.
• The monitor’s spec sheet lists the refresh rate for each input.

If the picture looks stretched, set the resolution by hand in your display settings. Our large screen laptops guide covers using a laptop at a desk.

How do I measure my desk for an ultrawide?

Measure before you order, because ultrawides need more width than most monitors:

1. Measure the clear desk width between anything that stays, such as speakers or a wall.
2. Measure the desk depth, front edge to wall.
3. Compare both with the body and stand sizes on our 34 inch, 38 inch and 49 inch pages.

Can I connect two computers to one ultrawide?

Some ultrawides can show two inputs side by side, often called Picture by Picture. Each computer gets half the screen, like two monitors with no gap.

Others include a KVM switch, which lets one keyboard and mouse control both computers. Check the spec sheet for either feature before you buy.