- When finding the screen size, measure from one corner to the opposite corner (diagonally).
- Get the height of your laptop (also called the thickness) by measuring from the bottom of the laptop to the top surface while the screen is shut.
- Measure the width and depth by measuring along the front and side of the laptop.
Screen Size
Get a standard tape measure. Screens are typically measured in inches, though different regions may use the metric system (cm) over imperial units (inches). If you need to, you can convert your measurement afterwards! You can use a ruler as an alternative to the tape measure. If you’re looking for more screen space, try connecting your laptop to a monitor. Or, you can always hook it up to a projector.
Find your starting measuring point. Screens are typically measured diagonally, so your starting point will be one corner of the screen. Screen size only measures the actual screen, not the enclosure or bezels, so start your measurement where the visible part of the screen starts.
Extend your tape measure to the opposite corner. Remember that you are measuring just the visible portion of the screen, not any of the enclosure. Warning: Make sure not to scratch your screen with the tape measure. You can hold the tape measure a couple centimeters away from the screen while measuring. Screens were originally measured diagonally to make the size sound more impressive.
Convert your measurements to tenths of an inch. Most retailers advertise screens in tenths of inches (15.3", 17.1", etc.), but most tape measures are marked in 16ths of an inch. To convert to a decimal form, divide the number of 16th marks by 16. For example, if you measure your screen as 14 and 4/16th inches, divide 4 by 16 to get 0.25 inches. Add that to 14 for a total of 14.25 inches.
Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary). If you need to know the size of the screen in centimeters but only have the inches measurement, multiply the inches by 2.54 to find the measurement in centimeters. For example, a 13.3 inch screen is 33.8 centimeters (13.3 x 2.54 = 33.782).
Height
Close the laptop screen. The laptop's height is measured with a closed screen.
Start your tape measure at the bottom of one of the sides. If your laptop slopes when closed, measure the thickest part.
Measure up to the top of the closed screen. Laptops aren't usually taller than two inches.
Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary). If you need to know the height in centimeters but only have the inches measurement, multiply the inches by 2.54 to find the measurement in centimeters. For example, a 1.5 inch tall laptop is 3.8 centimeters (1.5 x 2.54 = 3.81).
Width
Start the tape measure at the front left or right corner. Measuring the front is easiest because there are no protruding ports.
Measure straight across the front of the laptop to the other front corner. Make sure to measure all the way to the end of any rounded edges.
Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary). If you need to know the width in centimeters but only have the inches measurement, multiply the inches by 2.54 to find the measurement in centimeters. For example, a 14 inch wide laptop is 35.6 centimeters (14 x 2.54 = 35.56).
Depth
Start the tape measure at the back left or right corner.
Measure straight down the side of the laptop to the front corner. Make sure to measure all the way to the end of any rounded edges.
Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary). If you need to know the depth in centimeters but only have the inches measurement, multiply the inches by 2.54 to find the measurement in centimeters. For example, a 12 inch deep laptop is 30.5 centimeters (12 x 2.54 = 30.48).
Buy a case. Now that you have all of the necessary measurements, you’re ready to purchase a case, sleeve, or laptop bag! Check out our guide for shopping online and finding coupons.
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