Find your laptop screen size in Windows, Mac, or Linux

Your laptop monitor size is the diagonal measurement of the screen in inches, measured corner to corner. You can find it three ways: check the original box or paperwork, measure the screen yourself, or look it up in your system settings. The fastest method depends on what information you already have — if you know your laptop model, the manufacturer's website will list the screen size in seconds.

Most laptops have the screen size printed somewhere on the device itself, usually on a sticker underneath or inside the battery compartment. If that sticker is gone or unreadable, your system settings will show it, though the path differs between Windows and Mac. Measuring by hand works as a backup, but it is less precise than looking up the official specification.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your original box, receipt, or laptop sticker first — these list the screen size directly without any guesswork.
  • In Windows, open Settings, go to System, then Display to find the screen resolution, which you can cross-reference with your laptop model to find the size.
  • On Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then Displays to see the resolution and native screen size.
  • If you know your exact laptop model, the manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, Asus) will list the screen size in the specifications section.
  • Measuring diagonally from corner to corner with a ruler or tape measure gives you an approximate size if other methods are not available.

Check your original laptop box or paperwork

The easiest place to find your screen size is the original box your laptop came in. The box usually has a label on the outside listing key specifications, including the display size. Look for text like "15.6-inch display" or "13.3 FHD screen." If you still have the receipt or invoice from when you bought the laptop, that document often lists the screen size as well.

If you no longer have the box, check inside your laptop for a sticker on the battery or underneath the keyboard. Some manufacturers print the model number and screen size on a label inside the device. This label is usually harder to read than the box, but it is still a reliable source if the box is gone.

Look up your screen size in Windows Settings

Windows does not display the screen size directly in Settings, but it shows the resolution, which you can use to identify your screen size. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select System. Click Display on the left side. Under "Display information," you will see the resolution listed as something like "1920 x 1080" or "2560 x 1440."

Write down your resolution and your exact laptop model (usually found in Settings under System > About). Then go to the manufacturer's website — Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, or whoever made your laptop — and search for your model number. The specifications page will list the screen size alongside the resolution. This method works because most laptops with the same resolution come in only one or two screen sizes.

Find your screen size on a Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. Click the Displays tab. You will see the resolution listed (for example, "2560 x 1600 Retina"). Below that, Mac shows the native screen size — for example, "13-inch" or "16-inch." This is the most direct way to find your screen size on an Apple laptop.

If you are using an external monitor connected to your Mac, the Displays tab will show both your built-in screen and any connected displays separately. Make sure you are looking at the entry for your laptop's built-in display, not an external monitor.

Search your laptop model on the manufacturer's website

Every laptop manufacturer publishes a specifications sheet for each model. Go to the support or specifications section of Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Apple, or whichever company made your laptop. Search for your exact model number (you can find this in Windows under Settings > System > About, or on a Mac under Apple menu > About This Mac). The specifications page will list the screen size, resolution, and other display details.

If you are not sure of your exact model number, you can often narrow it down by the series — for example, "Dell XPS 13" or "HP Pavilion 15." The manufacturer's website will show all models in that series with their screen sizes, so you can match the one that looks like yours. This method is reliable because manufacturers do not change screen sizes within a model year.

Measure your screen diagonally if other methods do not work

If you cannot find your screen size any other way, you can measure it yourself. Use a ruler or tape measure and measure diagonally from the bottom-left corner of the screen to the top-right corner. Measure only the screen itself, not the bezel (the black border around the screen). Write down the measurement in inches.

This method is less precise than looking up the official size, because your measurement may be off by a fraction of an inch. Laptop screens come in standard sizes — 11.6, 13.3, 14, 15.6, 17.3 inches are the most common — so your measurement should be close to one of these. If you measure 15.2 inches, your screen is almost certainly 15.6 inches. If you measure 13.8 inches, it is likely 13.3 or 14 inches.

Understand why screen size matters for your laptop

Screen size affects how much space you have to work with and how portable your laptop is. A 13-inch screen is light and fits easily in a backpack, but it leaves less room for multiple windows side by side. A 15.6-inch screen gives you more workspace and is better for photo editing, spreadsheets, or coding, but it is heavier and bulkier to carry. A 17-inch screen is the largest common size and is best for stationary use at a desk.

Knowing your screen size also matters when you are troubleshooting display problems or buying accessories like screen protectors or external monitors. If you are upgrading your laptop or buying a replacement, screen size is one of the first things to consider based on how you use your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the screen size the same as the resolution?

No. Screen size is the physical diagonal measurement in inches. Resolution is the number of pixels displayed, like 1920 x 1080. Two laptops can have the same resolution but different screen sizes — a 13-inch and 15-inch laptop might both have 1920 x 1080 resolution, but the 13-inch will have smaller, sharper text because the same number of pixels is packed into a smaller space.

Why do some laptops list screen size as 15.6 instead of 16?

Manufacturers measure screen size diagonally, and the actual diagonal of a 16:9 widescreen with certain dimensions works out to 15.6 inches. Some newer laptops use a 16:10 aspect ratio, which rounds to 16 inches. Both are standard sizes, and the difference is only about half an inch — you will not notice it in daily use.

Can I find my screen size if I do not know my laptop model?

Yes. You can measure the screen diagonally, or you can look up your screen size based on the resolution and aspect ratio. If you know your resolution (from Settings or About This Mac) and whether your screen is widescreen or not, you can search online for "laptop screen size [resolution]" and find common matches. Most laptops with 1920 x 1080 resolution are 15.6 inches, for example.

Does the screen size include the bezel?

No. Screen size measures only the visible display area, not the black border (bezel) around it. When you measure your screen, measure only the lit part, corner to corner.

What if my laptop is a custom or older model?

For older or custom laptops, the manufacturer's website may not have the specifications online anymore. Try searching the model number plus "screen size" on a search engine, or check tech forums where other owners of that model have posted. If the laptop is very old, you can measure it yourself — the measurement will be close enough to identify which standard size it is.