Visual Screen Size Comparison: How to See the Real Difference Between Displays

A visual screen size comparison is the fastest way to understand how two displays stack up — whether you're choosing between a 55-inch and 65-inch TV, deciding between a 13-inch and 15-inch laptop, or wondering if a 6.1-inch phone is really that much smaller than a 6.7-inch one. Raw diagonal measurements only tell part of the story. In this guide, we'll show you how to do a proper screen size comparison using real dimensions, area calculations, and side-by-side visualizations so you never buy the wrong size again.

The easiest way to see the difference is with the Easy Compare screen comparison tool — it renders any two screen sizes at true relative scale so you can instantly see which is bigger and by how much.

Why Visual Screen Size Comparison Matters

Here's a fact that surprises most people: a 6.9-inch phone screen has about 6% more area than a 6.7-inch screen. That doesn't sound like much. But a 65-inch TV has 40% more area than a 55-inch TV — even though the diagonal only increases by 18%. The relationship between diagonal size and actual screen area is quadratic, not linear. That's why a screen size comparison tool that shows you real proportional dimensions is so valuable.

Numbers on a spec sheet are abstract. When you see two rectangles rendered at actual relative size, the difference becomes immediately obvious. That's the whole point of a visual comparison — it bypasses the math and shows you what your eyes will actually experience.

How Screen Size Is Actually Measured

Screen size is always measured as the diagonal distance from one corner to the opposite corner, in inches. This tradition dates back to the CRT television era and has carried through to modern OLED panels, LCD monitors, and smartphone displays. But the diagonal alone doesn't tell you the width and height — for that, you need the aspect ratio.

Notice how a 32-inch monitor has 41% more area than a 27-inch monitor — that's a massive difference that the "5-inch" diagonal gap doesn't fully convey. This is why a visual screen comparison is essential.

How to Do a Visual Screen Size Comparison

There are several ways to compare screen sizes visually, ranging from quick online tools to manual calculations:

Method 1: Use an Online Screen Comparison Tool

The fastest method. Tools like Easy Compare let you select any two screen sizes and see them rendered side by side at true relative scale. You can compare phones, monitors, TVs, tablets, and laptops — all with accurate proportional sizing. Some tools even let you overlay them to see exactly where the extra screen real estate goes.

Method 2: Calculate Width and Height Manually

If you know the diagonal and the aspect ratio, you can calculate the exact width and height using the Pythagorean theorem. For a 16:9 display with diagonal d: width = d × 16/√(16² + 9²) ≈ d × 0.872, and height = d × 9/√(16² + 9²) ≈ d × 0.490. For a 20:9 phone screen: width ≈ d × 0.404, height ≈ d × 0.915.

Method 3: Print and Cut Out Templates

For the most tangible comparison, print screen outlines at 1:1 scale on paper. This works especially well for phones and small tablets — you can hold the paper cutout in your hand to feel the actual physical size. Some manufacturers provide printable templates on their websites.

Visual Screen Size Comparison by Device Category

Phone Screen Comparison

Modern smartphones range from about 5.9 inches to 6.9 inches diagonally. Within that range, the area difference can be over 30%. A 6.1-inch iPhone 16 has roughly 14.5 square inches of display, while a 6.9-inch Galaxy S25 Ultra has about 18.5 square inches — that's 28% more screen. For a detailed phone-by-phone breakdown, check out our 6.1 vs 6.7 inch phone comparison guide.

TV Screen Comparison

TV screen sizes have the most dramatic area differences. Moving from a 55-inch to a 75-inch TV doesn't just add 20 diagonal inches — it almost doubles the screen area. A 55-inch TV has about 1,288 square inches of display, while a 75-inch has about 2,407 square inches. That's an 87% increase. See our 55 vs 75 inch TV comparison for the full breakdown.

Use the Easy Compare tool to compare any two TV sizes visually and see exactly how much more (or less) screen you're getting.

Monitor Screen Comparison

Monitor upgrades are often more impactful than people expect. Going from a 24-inch 1080p monitor to a 27-inch 1440p monitor gives you both a 41% larger screen area and a 78% increase in pixels. That's a massive productivity boost. For an in-depth comparison, see our 27 vs 32 inch monitor guide.

The Role of Aspect Ratio in Screen Size Comparison

Two screens with the same diagonal measurement can have very different areas if they use different aspect ratios. For example, a 34-inch ultrawide monitor (21:9) has a wider but shorter display than a 32-inch 16:9 monitor. The ultrawide gives you more horizontal space for side-by-side windows, while the 16:9 gives you more vertical space for reading and scrolling.

The 34" ultrawide actually has slightly less total area than the 32" 16:9 — but it distributes that area differently, giving you much more horizontal workspace. This is something only a proper visual screen comparison can make clear.

Resolution and PPI: The Other Half of the Comparison

Screen size tells you how big the display is. Resolution tells you how many pixels it has. Pixels per inch (PPI) tells you how sharp it looks. All three matter. A 65-inch 4K TV has about 68 PPI — fine for watching from 6 feet away on a couch. A 6.1-inch phone with the same 4K resolution would have about 762 PPI — absurdly sharp for a screen you hold 12 inches from your face.

When doing a screen size comparison, always consider PPI alongside physical dimensions. Two phones with the same 6.7-inch screen can look very different if one is 1080p (393 PPI) and the other is 1440p (513 PPI). The higher PPI display will look noticeably sharper for text and fine detail.

5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Screen Comparison

1. Always compare at the same aspect ratio when possible. A 27" 16:9 vs a 27" 4:3 will look very different despite the same diagonal. Use a tool that accounts for aspect ratio.

2. Factor in bezels and device dimensions. A phone's overall size includes the bezel — two phones with 6.7" screens can have very different body sizes depending on bezel width.

3. Consider your viewing distance. A 32" monitor at 2 feet looks as "big" as a 65" TV at 6 feet. Use our viewing distance guide to find your sweet spot.

4. Compare screen area, not just diagonal. Diagonal is a legacy measurement — area is what actually determines how much content you can see.

5. Use an interactive tool. The Easy Compare screen comparison tool lets you overlay, stack, and compare any two sizes with real proportions.

Frequently Asked Questions