How-to · Updated October 2, 2026
How far should your monitor be from your eyes?
Direct answer
A 24-inch monitor, high resolution, medium text, is about 56 cm (22.0 inches). Stay between 46 and 68 cm. A 27-inch screen is 63 cm.
Distance by screen size
High resolution (+4 cm) and medium text (+2 cm). Recommended centimeters equal the diagonal times 2.1, plus those offsets, rounded.
| Diagonal | Recommended | Inches | Comfort band |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 in | 52 cm | 20.5 in | 42–64 cm |
| 24 in | 56 cm | 22.0 in | 46–68 cm |
| 27 in | 63 cm | 24.8 in | 53–75 cm |
| 32 in | 73 cm | 28.7 in | 63–85 cm |
| 34 in | 77 cm | 30.3 in | 67–89 cm |
The 24-inch default is 24 × 2.1 = 50.4 cm, plus 4 cm for high resolution and 2 cm for medium text, which rounds to 56 cm.
Limits
- Planning estimate for desk setup, not an eye exam and not medical advice. Persistent strain is a reason to see an optometrist.
- An arm’s length, often cited around 50–75 cm, is the starting range. Screen size, text scale, and comfort move the target inside or past that band.
- Measure to the center of the screen. Ultrawide layouts can need a few extra centimeters beyond the diagonal alone.
Use the calculator
Text size and a 27-inch panel: 27-inch monitor viewing distance. Change the size in the desk monitor distance calculator.