Skip to main content
  1. Data Science Blog/

Exploring Digital Displays - Understanding Screen Sizes and PPI

·741 words·4 mins· loading · ·
General Knowledge Digital Displays Screen Sizes PPI Resolution Aspect Ratio Diagonal Measurement

On This Page

Table of Contents
Share with :

Exploring Digital Displays
#

What is the meaning of 16in Display?
#

When a monitor is described as “16 inches,” it refers to the diagonal measurement of the screen—the distance from one corner to the opposite corner, typically from the bottom-left to the top-right. This measurement includes only the actual display area, excluding any bezels or casing. (

This diagonal measurement has been the industry standard since the early days of CRT televisions and continues with modern flat-panel displays. It’s a convenient single number that provides a general sense of screen size, although it doesn’t specify the exact width and height.

To determine the actual width and height of a 16-inch screen, you need to know the aspect ratio. Most modern monitors and laptops use a 16:9 aspect ratio, meaning the width is 16 units for every 9 units of height. Using this ratio and the Pythagorean theorem, a 16-inch diagonal screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio would have approximate dimensions of:

  • Width: 13.94 inches (35.4 cm)
  • Height: 7.84 inches (19.9 cm)

These measurements are for the display area only and can vary slightly depending on the specific design and aspect ratio of the screen.

If you have a different aspect ratio or need assistance calculating dimensions for a specific screen, feel free to ask!

How to calculate PPI (Pixcels Per Inch)
#

Let’s assume we have a 16-inch display with a 1920×1200 resolution.

📏 1. Diagonal Size
#

  • 16 inches is the diagonal length of the screen (from bottom-left to top-right).

📐 2. Aspect Ratio
#

  • 1920 ÷ 1200 = 1.6, which means the aspect ratio is 16:10 (wider than it is tall).

  • This is slightly taller than the more common 16:9 ratio, giving you:

    • More vertical space for reading, coding, or writing.
    • A more balanced screen for both productivity and media.

🔎 3. Pixel Density (PPI)
#

We can calculate the pixels per inch (PPI), which tells you how sharp the display is:

  1. Diagonal resolution =

    $$ \sqrt{1920^2 + 1200^2} = \sqrt{3,686,400 + 1,440,000} = \sqrt{5,126,400} ≈ 2264.3 \text{ pixels} $$

  2. PPI =

    $$ \frac{2264.3 \text{ pixels}}{16 \text{ inches}} ≈ 141.5 \text{ PPI} $$

  • 141.5 PPI means a moderately sharp display. It’s sharper than a 1080p 16-inch screen (which would be ~138 PPI on 16:9).
  • Text and images will look crisp, and it’s suitable for both work and media.

🧠 4. Use-Case Implications
#

  • Ideal for professionals who want more vertical space (e.g., programmers, writers).
  • Better for multitasking (fits more lines of code/text vertically).
  • Slightly more scrollable content visible compared to 1920x1080.

What is Refresh Rate?
#

The refresh rate of your display refers to how many times per second the display is able to paint a new image. This is measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, if your display has a refresh rate of 144Hz, it is refreshing the image 144 times per second. More refresh rate means computer will consume more power. It can vary from 60hz to 480hz in modern gaming displays.

What is the Display Type
#

“Display Type” is the Technology Behind the Screen**

This refers to how the screen is built and how it displays images.

Display TypeDescriptionProsCons
IPS (In-Plane Switching)A type of LCD that provides wide viewing angles and accurate colorGood color & viewing anglesSlower response time
OLED (Organic LED)Each pixel emits its own lightDeep blacks, vibrant colors, thinExpensive, risk of burn-in
TN (Twisted Nematic)Another LCD type (not used in Spectre)Fast responsePoor colors and angles
VA (Vertical Alignment)Better contrast than IPS, used in TVsGood blacksSlower response

👉 So “IPS” and “OLED” describe how the screen works under the hood.

What is the Display Category
#

It is a Marketing/Specification Tier

This is how manufacturers group displays by resolution, aspect ratio, and use-case. It’s a combination of specs (including resolution, color gamut, and sometimes the type).

Display CategoryMeaningExample ResolutionsTypical Use
FHD / Full HDStandard 1080p1920×1080 (16:9)Budget or mainstream laptops
WUXGA / FHD+Slightly taller than FHD1920×1200 or 1920×1280 (16:10 or 3:2)Productivity
2.8KHigher than QHD2880×1800 (16:10)Mid-range creative
3K2KHigh-res 3:2 display3000×2000 (3:2)Premium productivity and creatives
4K UHDUltra HD3840×2160 (16:9)Video editing, media
UHD+Ultra HD in 16:103840×2400High-end professionals

👉 These categories bundle multiple factors:

  • Resolution
  • Aspect ratio
  • Color space (e.g., 100% DCI-P3)
  • Sometimes implicitly display type (e.g., many “3K2K” screens are OLED)
Dr. Hari Thapliyaal's avatar

Dr. Hari Thapliyaal

Dr. Hari Thapliyal is a seasoned professional and prolific blogger with a multifaceted background that spans the realms of Data Science, Project Management, and Advait-Vedanta Philosophy. Holding a Doctorate in AI/NLP from SSBM (Geneva, Switzerland), Hari has earned Master's degrees in Computers, Business Management, Data Science, and Economics, reflecting his dedication to continuous learning and a diverse skill set. With over three decades of experience in management and leadership, Hari has proven expertise in training, consulting, and coaching within the technology sector. His extensive 16+ years in all phases of software product development are complemented by a decade-long focus on course design, training, coaching, and consulting in Project Management. In the dynamic field of Data Science, Hari stands out with more than three years of hands-on experience in software development, training course development, training, and mentoring professionals. His areas of specialization include Data Science, AI, Computer Vision, NLP, complex machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, pattern identification, and extraction of valuable insights. Hari's professional journey showcases his diverse experience in planning and executing multiple types of projects. He excels in driving stakeholders to identify and resolve business problems, consistently delivering excellent results. Beyond the professional sphere, Hari finds solace in long meditation, often seeking secluded places or immersing himself in the embrace of nature.

Comments:

Share with :

Related

Exploring CSS Frameworks - A Collection of Lightweight, Responsive, and Themeable Alternatives
·1376 words·7 mins· loading
Web Development Frontend Development CSS Frameworks Lightweight CSS Responsive CSS Themeable CSS CSS Utilities Utility-First CSS
Exploring CSS Frameworks # There are many CSS frameworks and approaches you can use besides …
Dimensions of Software Architecture: Balancing Concerns
·833 words·4 mins· loading
Software Architecture Software Architecture Technical Debt Maintainability Scalability Performance
Dimensions of Software Architecture # Call these “Architectural Concern Categories” or …
Understanding `async`, `await`, and Concurrency in Python
·599 words·3 mins· loading
Python Asyncio Concurrency Synchronous Programming Asynchronous Programming
Understanding async, await, and Concurrency # Understanding async, await, and Concurrency in Python …
High-Level View of HTML CSS JavaScript
·4022 words·19 mins· loading
Web Development HTML CSS JavaScript Web Development Frontend Development
High-Level View of HTML CSS JavaScript # Introduction # HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the three …
Understanding Vocal Frequencies in Speech-to-Text AI Applications
·4605 words·22 mins· loading
AI NLP Speech-to-Text Vocal Frequencies Sound Signals AI Applications
Exploring Voice Signal Processing # Introduction # In AI projects that involve human voice, such as …