How to Measure Your Laptop Computer

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Get a standard tape measure.

   Screens are typically measured in inches, though different regions will choose metric over Imperial.
   
   If you need to, you can convert your measurement after the fact.
2. 2

   Step 2: Find your starting measuring point.

   Screens are measured diagonally, so your starting point will be either the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of the screen.
   
   The measurement only accounts for the actual screen, not the enclosure, so start your measurement at the very corner where the visible part of the screen starts. , Remember that you are measuring just the visible portion of the screen, not any of the enclosure.
   
   Screens were originally measured diagonally to make the size sound more impressive. , Most retailers advertise screens in tenths of inches (15.3"
   
   17.1"
   
   etc.), but most tape measures are marked in 16ths of an inch.
   
   If you want to know the retail number that your screen would be labeled, refer to this chart of common sizes. , 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). , The laptop's height is measured with a closed screen. , If your laptop slopes when closed, measure the thickest part. , Laptops aren't usually taller than two inches. , 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). , Measuring the front is easiest because there are no protruding ports. , Make sure to measure all the way to the end of any rounded edges. , 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). ,, Make sure to measure all the way to the end of any rounded edges. , 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).
3. 3

   Step 3: Extend your tape measure to the opposite corner.

4. 4

   Step 4: Convert your measurements to tenths of an inch.

5. 5

   Step 5: Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary).

6. 6

   Step 6: Close the laptop screen.

7. 7

   Step 7: Start your tape measure at the bottom of one of the sides.

8. 8

   Step 8: Measure up to the top of the closed screen.

9. 9

   Step 9: Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary).

10. 10

    Step 10: Start the tape measure at the front left or right corner.

11. 11

    Step 11: Measure straight across the front of the laptop to the other front corner.

12. 12

    Step 12: Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary).

13. 13

    Step 13: Start the tape measure at the back left or right corner.

14. 14

    Step 14: Measure straight down the side of the laptop to the front corner.

15. 15

    Step 15: Convert inches to centimeters (if necessary).

Detailed Guide

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