27 vs 32 monitor size comparison

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Summary

In comparison to a 32 inch 16x9 TV a 27 inch 16x9 is...

16% smaller diagonally and 29% smaller by area as a 16x9 display.

16% smaller diagonally and 29% smaller by area as a 4x3 display.

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Screen Size Comparison

27 inch 16x9 display vs 32 inch 16x9 display

StatsUse cm	27 inch 16x9	32 inch 16x9
Width	23.53 inches	27.89 inches
Height	13.24 inches	15.69 inches
Area	311.50 inches²	437.55 inches²
As a 4:3 Display	22.06 inches	26.15 inches
As a 16:9 Display	27.00 inches	32.00 inches
As a 2.35:1 Display	25.57 inches	30.31 inches

In Comparison	27 inch 16x9	32 inch 16x9
Actual Aspect Ratios	15.62% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area
As a 4:3 Display	15.62% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area
As a 16:9 Display	15.63% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area
As a 2.35:1 Display	15.62% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area

Home
iPhone 7 vs 7 Plus
Quick Comparisons
Credits

Summary

In comparison to a 27 inch 16x9 TV a 32 inch 16x9 is...

19% larger diagonally and 40% larger by area as a 16x9 display.

19% larger diagonally and 40% larger by area as a 4x3 display.

Privacy Policy

Screen Size Comparison

32 inch 16x9 display vs 27 inch 16x9 display

StatsUse cm	32 inch 16x9	27 inch 16x9
Width	27.89 inches	23.53 inches
Height	15.69 inches	13.24 inches
Area	437.55 inches²	311.50 inches²
As a 4:3 Display	26.15 inches	22.06 inches
As a 16:9 Display	32.00 inches	27.00 inches
As a 2.35:1 Display	30.31 inches	25.57 inches

In Comparison	32 inch 16x9	27 inch 16x9
Actual Aspect Ratios	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area	15.62% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area
As a 4:3 Display	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area	15.62% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area
As a 16:9 Display	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area	15.63% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area
As a 2.35:1 Display	18.52% larger diagonal 40.47% larger area	15.62% smaller diagonal 28.81% smaller area

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Having the right-sized monitor is crucial to help you meet your professional, gaming, programming as well as casual needs. You don’t want to be hunched over a screen, or have it at a resolution that makes text unreadable from your normal viewing distance.

Generally, the most popular sizes that you can buy these monitors in are 24 inches, 27 inches and 32 inches. Picking between these sizes however, can be tough because technically there is no right answer. Your choice will depend on your needs.

Through this guide, you can go through some differences between the three sizes, comparing 24 vs 27 vs 32 inch monitors, so that you can make an informed decision about which one would work well for you.

24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitor Key Differences

There are several key differences between 24″, 27″ and 32-inch monitors that you can go through below.

1. Physical Size

Of course, the size of the monitors is different since each of them has a display panel that measures 24 inches, 27 inches or 32 inches in the diagonal. However, while this might convey the panel size of the monitor, it is important to note that the actual dimensions of the screen overall can vary between models, even at the same nominal screen size.

You can see a 24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitor size comparison below, with typical sizes of these screens. The ratios between each model below are to scale.

24 vs 27 vs 32 inch monitor size comparison

2. Resolution

The resolution that your monitor can support can also differ based on the size of the monitor. This is particularly something you should note when it comes to comparing the 24-inch monitor against the 27 and 32-inch monitors.

The 24-inch monitor usually works best with a 1920 x 1080 resolution (otherwise known as 1080p or Full HD) while both the 27 and 32-inch monitors can support 4K resolution (3840 x 2160).

There’s also the option of 1440p available, which is mid-way between Full HD and 4K, but this is really not recommended unless you are looking for a monitor on a budget.

While the 24-inch monitor might be able to accept higher resolutions, it might not always be a good idea since the software, programs and games that you might use might not have scale to this lower resolution very well.

On the other hand, 1080p can be too low a resolution for the other two sizes since this will affect the pixel density and display of the text and images on the screen. 5k resolution (5120 x 2880) is also possible for the two bigger sizes based on the brand that you opt for.

Take a look at the video below for a good real-world comparison of 24 and 27 inch monitors.

3. On-Screen Display and Text Scaling

The on-screen display such as the icons, tabs, text, menu, widgets and more can differ in terms of size in 24 inches, 27 inches and 32 inches, with the actual size determined by the level of text scaling that you have setup.

For 24 inches, the standard level of scaling is likely to be large enough in comparison to the size of your monitor and screen, making it easier for you to use your browser or other programs without squinting your eyes too much.

For 27 inches, text is often displayed a bit smaller as compared to the 24-inch monitor since the screen tends to be quite big and the resolution higher. However, you can change the size of text and display icons to suit your comfort level with scaling within your operating system.

Some people are not keen on text scaling, as they feel it generates a pixelated image, but this depends on the programs you are viewing on your computer, and is much less of an issue with a modern OS.

For 32 inches, the display size is generally far too small to use without scaling of icons and text. If you don’t like text scaling, then it might be tough to use your computer easily.

Text Scaling options in Windows

4. Cost

A 24-inch monitor is likely to be more affordable as compared to the 27-inch and 32-inch monitors. This is not only because of the size but also overall panel quality being lower in the smaller monitors.

Although cost is important, remember that you will likely be using your monitor for several years, so turning the purchase price into a per-day-of-usage cost means that there is little difference between the sizes.

5. Software

How different kinds of software function and appear on your screen can also change based on the size of your monitor. Ideally, all three sizes should be able to adapt well in terms of the quality of the text and the display.

However, this can also depend on the software itself since not all of them might have this kind of adaptable scalability and user interfaces, which might prove to be difficult to deal with.

Generally, you should be okay with 24 inches and even 27 inches, but it is possible that 32 inches might face compatibility issues for certain gaming software in particular.

You might also face some differences if you use a MacOS, especially in 27 inch monitors.

6. Setup

The setup process is another thing you should keep in mind here, especially based on your requirements and the amount of space that you have on your desk and in your room.

Setting up two or three 24-inch monitors or two 27-inch monitors is a possibility that should seriously be considered, since it can help you multitask while also using the different features of each monitor for different purposes, eg. a smaller monitor for emails, a larger monitor for photo editing.

This will also, however, end up consuming more power and straining your neck and head. One 32-inch monitor can work for certain purposes such as editing but might not be as relevant for more casual reasons.

Obviously adding more monitors to your setup means that you have to take the cost into account here as well.

7. Speed

The speed in this case can refer to the responsiveness of the monitor when it receives certain input. This is not likely to differ too much based on the size of the monitor since this is something that usually depends on the input rate along with the resolution.

However, since the 27-inch and 32-inch monitors tend to offer higher quality panels, the input lag (measured in ms) is likely to be lower, and the refresh rate (measured in Hz) higher, both of which are valuable in raw performance terms.

8. Picture Quality

The picture quality depends more on resolution and pixel density than outright panel size, but again, larger monitors tend to offer higher pixel density due to their better overall quality. This means that text appears sharp and images crisp.

If outright picture quality really matters to you, then read my guide to selecting the best monitor for photo editing.

Take a look at the below video comparing 27 vs 32 inch monitors for a real-world look at their differences in picture quality.

9. Comfort

You should be able to sit at a comfortable distance from the monitor while still being able to access the whole screen properly so that you do not end up straining your eyes and neck too much.

The distance that you sit from your monitor might need to become longer and longer as the size of your monitor increases. This results in needing to use greater text scaling, and can partially negate the reason for getting a larger monitor.

10. Your Personal Requirements

Of course, what you need your monitor for can also make difference here. Casual users can do with a 24-inch monitor, while professional and gaming needs might benefit more with the larger sizes.

I would always recommend a 27-inch monitor for more serious uses, as this provides the greatest amount of screen real-estate, along with a very reasonable price tag. Take a look at my current recommendations for the best monitors under $500 for more on this.

24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitor for Gaming

If you need your monitor for gaming, a 24-inch monitor might not cut it for you since it might not be as immersive or offer a high enough quality display in terms of color or contrast.

On the other hand, a 32-inch monitor might be too big since you might need to keep moving your eyes throughout the screen which can end up causing strain. You will also need to sit further away, which might take away from the experience since you might not be able to see the details as clearly.

The best option, in this case, would be a 27-inch monitor since you can manage the distance well while still getting great quality and resolution.

24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitor for Work

The differences between the sizes can affect the kind of work you do.

If you want a monitor that can serve you well for reading text, writing, editing documents and images, you might be better off with a 24-inch monitor since this will meet your requirements well, while the bigger sizes might simply be too excessive and expensive for these needs.

A 27-inch monitor can also work well for editing images as long as you ensure that the software and resolution are compatible.

If you need a monitor for something like editing and compiling videos, then a 32-inch monitor can be the best option for display, access, accuracy, resolution and screen real-estate.

24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitor for Programming

When it comes to programming, a bigger size such as 32 inches can help you open more tabs and windows while also fitting in more code onto the screen. You will, however, still need to manage the distance and the size of the code. Compatibility might also sometimes be difficult.

A smaller size such as 24 inches or even 27 inches can make it easier for you to access and read your program. However, the resolution of a 24 inch monitor does limit the amount of open tabs you can have on screen.

27 inches is a good middle ground, but the best solution here can be to install two monitors of 27 inches side-by-side so that you can easily multitask.

Final Thoughts on 24 vs 27 vs 32 Inch Monitors

Ultimately, the best size for your monitor depends on your requirements, although 27 inches can offer the best of both worlds, 24 inches can work better if your needs are casual or smaller, while 32 inches can work better for professional editing and gaming.

For my money, 27 inches is the sweet spot, as it covers the widest range of uses, for the fairest price.

LG 27UL500 27-Inch Monitor

The Best 27-Inch Monitor

27 inch, 4K Display
98% of the sRGB color gamut in an IPS panel
Fantastic color accuracy and reproduction
Clear and sharp display
Pretty much the perfect specs and price for a budget monitor

This is the monitor that I personally use for my photo editing and can’t fault it, and for me is the best cheap monitor.

With excellent color accuracy (once calibrated) in a 27 inch display, with a 4K resolution, I don’t think you will find better than this at the below $350 price point.

The screen is crisp and clear, and the colors are vibrant and bold, and overall the monitor is a pleasure to use. There is a joystick to access the internal menus, which are both detailed and straightforward, and give you a huge range of options to set the monitor up to your liking.

I own and use this monitor, and here’s a couple of photos of it in use to show you the quality of the panel.

If you think a 24 inch monitor is a better fit for you, then you can find an equally impressive 1080p LG monitor. Click here to see the 24 inch LG monitor.

Or, you can get a massive 32 inch monitor with 4K resolution from Samsung. Click here for the 32 inch Samsung monitor.

Read More:
The best photo editing monitor
The best monitor under $500
How to setup a vertical monitor
HDR vs Non-HDR

How much bigger is a 32

27 inch 16x9 display vs 32 inch 16x9 display.

Is 32 inches too big for a monitor?

Generally, a 32″ monitor is too big for high-level gaming, but it can be a good fit for certain types of office work, multimedia viewing, and everyday uses. Eye strain can be a serious issue with large monitors, especially if you lack a deep desk. That's the way-too-short answer.

How big is a 32

32 inches: console gaming, movies, and design A 32-inch monitor has an 81cm screen size and is a large screen for entertainment enthusiasts. These monitors are very large when you sit close to them, so they're suitable for gaming and watching movies and series from a distance.

What's better for gaming 27 or 32?

27-Inch Gaming Monitor You can find anything from basic 1080p screens to high 4k resolutions, and you can also find monitors with 60Hz refresh rates or with stunning 240Hz refresh rates. 27-inch monitors are good if you want more screen space than a 24 or 25-inch display, and you find 32-inch screens are too big.

monitor size comparison