Why do two 14 inch laptops look different?
The diagonal is the same, but the shape is not. Many newer laptops use 16:10, many budget models still use 16:9, and some use a taller 3:2 screen.
A 3:2 screen is 13% taller than a 16:9 screen of the same size, with 8% more area for documents and web pages.
Which laptop sizes have the most models?
Our list holds 67 laptop models from eight brand lists. 16 inch has the most models in our list, with fourteen. 11.6 and 13.6 inch have the fewest, with four each.
Three sizes in our chart use the wide 16:9 shape: 11.6, 15.6 and 17.3 inch. The other six use 16:10, which is taller for the same diagonal.
Which laptop screen size should you get?
13 and 14 inch screens are the easiest to carry. 15.6 and 16 inch screens give room for two windows side by side, and 17 and 18 inch models mostly stay on a desk.
Pixel density matters as much as size. Each size page lists the common resolutions with their sharpness, and the brand pages give the exact screen of each model.
More questions about laptop screen sizes
Is a laptop screen size measured with the frame?
No. The size is the diagonal of the visible screen only. The laptop body is wider and deeper, so check the maker's spec sheet before you buy a sleeve or bag.
How do I find my laptop screen size?
Measure the visible screen corner to corner, or use our screen size tool with a bank card. On Windows laptops the model number is usually on a label underneath, and on a Mac it is in About This Mac.
Is a 16 inch laptop much bigger than a 15.6 inch?
The screen is. A 16 inch 16:10 screen is 8.5 in (21.5 cm) tall against 7.6 in (19.4 cm) for 15.6 inch 16:9, with 11% more area.