Display Size Calculator

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Display Size Calculator

Understanding Display Dimensions

The Display Size Calculator helps you determine the precise width, height, and area of any screen based on its diagonal measurement and aspect ratio. While diagonal size is commonly advertised for TVs and monitors, knowing the exact width and height can be crucial for mounting, fitting into spaces, or understanding the true viewing area.

What is Diagonal Size?

The diagonal size of a display is the measurement from one corner to the opposite corner, typically expressed in inches. This is the most common way screens are marketed (e.g., a "55-inch TV").

What is Aspect Ratio?

The aspect ratio describes the proportional relationship between the width and the height of the display. It's usually expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9, 4:3, 21:9). Common aspect ratios include:

  • 16:9: The most common aspect ratio for modern televisions, computer monitors, and widescreen content.
  • 4:3: Traditional aspect ratio for older TVs and computer monitors.
  • 21:9 (Ultrawide): Popular for cinematic viewing and productivity monitors, offering a much wider field of view.

How the Calculation Works

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem to determine the width and height. Given the diagonal (hypotenuse) and the ratio of the sides (aspect ratio), it can solve for the individual side lengths. The formula is derived as follows:

  • Let d be the diagonal size.
  • Let w be the width and h be the height.
  • From the Pythagorean theorem: d² = w² + h²
  • From the aspect ratio: w / h = AspectRatioWidth / AspectRatioHeight, so w = h * (AspectRatioWidth / AspectRatioHeight)
  • Substituting w into the Pythagorean theorem allows us to solve for h, and then subsequently for w.

Practical Applications

  • Home Theater Planning: Ensure a new TV fits perfectly into an entertainment center or wall space.
  • Monitor Setup: Calculate the physical dimensions of a new monitor to optimize desk space or multi-monitor setups.
  • Projector Screens: Determine the exact width and height of a projected image for screen selection.
  • Content Creation: Understand the physical dimensions of different aspect ratios for design and video production.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you have a 55-inch TV with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio.

Using the calculator:

  • Diagonal Size: 55 inches
  • Aspect Ratio Width: 16
  • Aspect Ratio Height: 9

The calculator would output approximately:

  • Width: 47.94 inches (121.77 cm)
  • Height: 26.96 inches (68.48 cm)
  • Area: 1292.6 square inches (8339.3 square cm)

This information is invaluable for making informed decisions about your display purchases and installations.

.calculator-container { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 700px; margin: 20px auto; border: 1px solid #ddd; } .calculator-container h2 { color: #333; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 24px; } .calculator-content { background-color: #ffffff; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #eee; margin-bottom: 20px; } .input-group { margin-bottom: 15px; } .input-group label { display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; color: #555; font-size: 15px; } .input-group input[type="number"] { width: calc(100% – 22px); padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 16px; } .calculate-button { display: block; width: 100%; padding: 12px 20px; background-color: #007bff; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 18px; cursor: pointer; transition: background-color 0.3s ease; margin-top: 20px; } .calculate-button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; } .result-container { margin-top: 25px; padding: 15px; background-color: #e9f7ee; border: 1px solid #d4edda; border-radius: 4px; color: #155724; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6; } .result-container p { margin: 0 0 8px 0; } .result-container p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } .result-container strong { color: #000; } .calculator-article { margin-top: 30px; padding: 20px; background-color: #ffffff; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #eee; } .calculator-article h3 { color: #333; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .calculator-article h4 { color: #444; font-size: 18px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; } .calculator-article p, .calculator-article ul { color: #666; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 10px; } .calculator-article ul { list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 20px; padding-left: 0; } .calculator-article ul li { margin-bottom: 5px; } function calculateDisplaySize() { var diagonalSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('diagonalSize').value); var aspectRatioWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aspectRatioWidth').value); var aspectRatioHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aspectRatioHeight').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('displayResult'); if (isNaN(diagonalSize) || isNaN(aspectRatioWidth) || isNaN(aspectRatioHeight) || diagonalSize <= 0 || aspectRatioWidth <= 0 || aspectRatioHeight <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.'; return; } var ratio = aspectRatioWidth / aspectRatioHeight; // Calculate height using Pythagorean theorem: d^2 = w^2 + h^2 and w = h * ratio // d^2 = (h * ratio)^2 + h^2 // d^2 = h^2 * (ratio^2 + 1) // h^2 = d^2 / (ratio^2 + 1) // h = sqrt(d^2 / (ratio^2 + 1)) var heightInches = diagonalSize / Math.sqrt(Math.pow(ratio, 2) + 1); var widthInches = heightInches * ratio; var areaSqInches = widthInches * heightInches; // Convert to centimeters var inchesToCm = 2.54; var widthCm = widthInches * inchesToCm; var heightCm = heightInches * inchesToCm; var areaSqCm = areaSqInches * Math.pow(inchesToCm, 2); resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Calculated Dimensions:' + 'Width: ' + widthInches.toFixed(2) + ' inches (' + widthCm.toFixed(2) + ' cm)' + 'Height: ' + heightInches.toFixed(2) + ' inches (' + heightCm.toFixed(2) + ' cm)' + 'Area: ' + areaSqInches.toFixed(2) + ' sq inches (' + areaSqCm.toFixed(2) + ' sq cm)'; }

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