How to Find Your Monitor's VESA Size

Before buying a monitor arm or wall mount, confirm three things:

1. Your monitor’s VESA mounting pattern
2. The arm’s supported pattern, weight range, and screw requirements
3. Whether the combined monitor-and-arm setup fits your desk and preferred viewing position

The VESA size is the horizontal and vertical distance between the centers of the threaded mounting holes on the back of the monitor. A pattern described as 100 x 100 mm has holes spaced 100 mm apart horizontally and 100 mm apart vertically.

What VESA size means

VESA does not describe the monitor’s screen size. It describes the mounting-hole layout.

Common patterns include:

VESA pattern	Typical description
75 x 75 mm	75 mm between hole centers horizontally and vertically
100 x 100 mm	100 mm between hole centers horizontally and vertically
200 x 100 mm	200 mm horizontally and 100 mm vertically
200 x 200 mm	200 mm horizontally and vertically

These are examples of common patterns, not a guarantee that every monitor or mount supports them. Always confirm the monitor’s manual, manufacturer specifications, or the holes themselves.

Some monitors have a square recess around the holes. Others use a recessed mounting area that requires spacers or a longer screw. The visible shape of the recess is not the VESA measurement; measure from hole center to hole center.

How to find your monitor’s VESA size

1. Check the monitor’s specifications first

Look for a specification labeled:

• VESA mount
• VESA compatibility
• Wall mount
• Mounting interface
• Mounting pattern

The specification may appear in the product manual, technical specification sheet, or manufacturer support page.

If the monitor is already mounted, identify the exact model before relying on a similar-looking product listing. Different sizes or revisions of the same product family can use different mounting patterns.

2. Remove the stand if necessary

The mounting holes may be hidden by:

• A removable stand neck
• A cover plate
• A quick-release bracket
• A recessed panel
• A built-in stand mechanism

Follow the monitor’s instructions when removing the stand. Do not force a cover or use the stand as leverage against the display panel.

If the monitor has a quick-release interface, check whether the release plate itself follows a standard VESA pattern or requires a model-specific adapter.

3. Count and inspect the threaded holes

A standard VESA mount usually has four threaded holes arranged in a rectangle or square. Check that:

• There are four usable holes
• The threads are undamaged
• The holes are aligned in the same plane
• No part of the rear housing blocks the mounting plate
• The holes are not intended only for the original stand

Some compact monitors, portable displays, and all-in-one computers may not have a standard VESA pattern. A special adapter may be required, and an adapter can change the total weight, depth, and clearance of the setup.

4. Measure from the centers, not the edges

Use a ruler or tape measure to measure:

• Center of the left hole to center of the right hole
• Center of the top hole to center of the bottom hole

If the holes are difficult to access, measure from the outside edges of the holes and subtract one hole diameter. This is less precise, so use the manufacturer’s documentation when possible.

Record the result as:

Horizontal spacing x vertical spacing

For example:

100 mm x 100 mm

Do not assume the pattern is square. A monitor can use a rectangular pattern such as 200 x 100 mm.

Check the mount or monitor arm

Matching the VESA pattern is necessary, but it is not sufficient. Compare the monitor’s requirements with the arm or mount’s specifications.

Check	What to confirm
VESA pattern	The mount supports your exact spacing
Monitor weight	The display, usually without its original stand, is within the arm’s supported range
Screw size	The supplied screws match the monitor’s threaded holes
Screw length	The screws do not bottom out or extend too far into the monitor
Screen size range	The monitor falls within the mount’s stated range, if one is provided
Tilt and rotation	The mount supports your intended landscape or portrait position
Desk thickness	The clamp or grommet fits your desk
Clearance	The arm can move without hitting a wall, shelf, or cable tray

Weight compatibility matters more than screen size

A monitor arm’s weight rating is a critical safety and usability limit. Compare the arm’s capacity with the monitor’s weight in the mounted configuration.

Check whether the listed monitor weight:

• Includes the original stand
• Excludes the stand
• Includes a power supply
• Includes an adapter or mounting plate

For an arm, the relevant figure is normally the monitor plus any adapter attached to it. If the monitor is near the arm’s upper limit, adjustment may be difficult even when the combination is technically within the stated range.

For gas-spring arms, an incorrectly balanced load may cause the screen to rise, sink, or drift. A heavy curved monitor can also place more leverage on the arm than a shallow display with the same listed weight.

Do not guess screw depth

The correct screw diameter and length depend on the monitor’s threaded inserts and the thickness of the mounting plate or spacers. A screw that is too short may not hold securely. A screw that is too long can damage internal components.

Use the monitor manual or the mount’s hardware guidance. If the mounting area is recessed, use only the required spacers and confirm that the mounting plate sits flat without crushing the rear housing.

Account for monitor dimensions and arm geometry

VESA compatibility does not guarantee that the setup will fit your desk.

A large monitor may extend farther forward than expected because of:

• A deep rear housing
• A curved panel
• A centered or offset VESA position
• A thick mounting plate
• A long arm joint
• Rear-facing ports and cable bends

Measure the monitor’s width and depth, not just its advertised diagonal size. Two displays with the same diagonal can have different widths, heights, bezels, and rear depths.

Measure the desk and surrounding space

Record:

• Desk width and depth
• Desk thickness
• Distance from the rear edge to the wall
• Height of shelves or cabinets above the desk
• Space behind the desk for a clamp or cable routing
• Clearance beside the desk for arm movement
• Location of power outlets and signal cables

A clamp-mounted arm may need clearance behind the desk. A grommet mount may require a suitable hole and access below the desktop. A wall mount avoids some desk-clamp limitations but introduces wall structure, drilling, and cable-routing requirements.

Account for the VESA position

The VESA holes are not always centered on the back of the display. If the mounting pattern sits low or high, the monitor may sit differently than expected when attached to an arm.

This affects:

• Maximum screen height
• The amount of tilt needed
• Clearance above the desk
• Portrait-mode balance
• Whether the bottom bezel hits the desktop
• Whether the arm can place the screen at eye level

Use the monitor’s overall height and the VESA position to estimate where the center of the screen will sit. If the manufacturer does not publish the VESA position, leave extra adjustment room rather than assuming it is centered.

Place the monitor ergonomically

A good mount should make the monitor easier to position, not simply remove its original stand.

For a typical seated setup:

• Place the top edge near eye level or slightly below it.
• Keep the screen directly in front of you rather than twisting your neck.
• Position the display far enough away that you can read comfortably without leaning forward.
• Tilt the screen slightly to reduce glare when needed.
• Keep the center of the screen near your normal line of sight.
• Use the arm’s height and depth adjustment to maintain a relaxed posture.

The correct distance depends on screen size, resolution, scaling, eyesight, and content. A high-resolution display may allow smaller text or more workspace, but that does not automatically mean it should be placed farther away.

For a multi-monitor setup, angle side displays toward your seating position. A large center display may require more desk depth or a longer arm extension, particularly if you want to keep a keyboard and other equipment in front of it.

Consider ports, cables, and USB-C equipment

Mounting can make rear ports harder to reach. Before tightening the mounting plate, identify the location of:

• DisplayPort and HDMI inputs
• USB upstream and downstream ports
• USB-C video or charging ports
• Headphone outputs
• Power input
• KVM or docking connections

Leave enough bend radius for cables. A thick HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C cable can push against the wall or mounting plate when the monitor is tilted.

USB-C adds another compatibility check: the monitor, computer, and cable must support the functions you need. Video output, USB data, and laptop charging are separate capabilities, so mounting the monitor does not make an ordinary USB-C connection suitable for every setup.

If you use a laptop dock or the monitor as a USB-C hub, plan cable routing before fixing the arm in place. A clean arm installation can still be inconvenient if the power brick or USB-C cable cannot reach the desk without tension.

Measurement workflow

Use this process before ordering a monitor arm or wall mount:

1. Identify the exact monitor model.
2. Check the manufacturer’s VESA specification.
3. Inspect the rear of the monitor for four threaded holes.
4. Measure horizontal and vertical center-to-center spacing if the specification is unavailable.
5. Record the monitor’s mounted weight, excluding the original stand when appropriate.
6. Check the mount’s supported VESA patterns and weight range.
7. Confirm screw diameter, screw length, and any required spacers.
8. Measure the monitor’s width, height, and rear depth.
9. Measure desk thickness and the clearance behind and above the desk.
10. Plan cable routing for power, video, USB, and audio connections.
11. Check that the arm can place the screen at your preferred height and viewing distance.
12. Recheck the setup after attaching the monitor before making final cable adjustments.

If any specification is missing, contact the monitor or mount manufacturer instead of relying on a visual match.

Desk-fit checklist

Before you buy, confirm:

• [ ] The monitor has a standard VESA mounting pattern or a compatible adapter.
• [ ] The measured pattern matches the arm or wall mount.
• [ ] The monitor’s mounted weight is within the arm’s supported range.
• [ ] The screw diameter and length are correct.
• [ ] Required spacers are included or available.
• [ ] The desk thickness suits the clamp or grommet.
• [ ] There is enough room behind the desk for the mounting hardware.
• [ ] The arm can extend far enough without hitting a wall or shelf.
• [ ] The monitor can sit at a comfortable height and viewing distance.
• [ ] The monitor’s width and depth fit the intended desk position.
• [ ] Rear ports remain accessible after mounting.
• [ ] Power, video, USB-C, and other cables can bend without strain.
• [ ] The monitor’s landscape or portrait orientation is supported.
• [ ] Any adapter, docking setup, or USB-C feature is compatible with the computer.

Once you know the required VESA pattern, dimensions, weight, and connectivity needs, you can narrow your options more confidently. Browse monitors to compare displays, or see the computer monitors catalog when you are selecting a monitor to mount.