How Big Is a 28 Inch Monitor?
A 28-inch 16:9 monitor measures about 24.4 inches wide and 13.7 inches tall. This size has carved out a niche specifically in the 4K gaming market — several popular budget 4K monitors use 28-inch panels. The extra inch over 27 inches is barely noticeable physically, but 28-inch 4K monitors often come at lower price points than their 27-inch 4K competitors.
28-Inch Monitor Dimensions by Aspect Ratio
Exact width and height calculated from the 28-inch diagonal at each common aspect ratio.
| Aspect Ratio | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 24.4" (61.99 cm) | 13.73" (34.87 cm) |
| 16:10 | 23.74" (60.31 cm) | 14.84" (37.69 cm) |
| 21:9 | 25.74" (65.37 cm) | 11.03" (28.02 cm) |
| 4:3 | 22.4" (56.9 cm) | 16.8" (42.67 cm) |
Resolution and Pixel Density at 28 Inches
| Resolution | Pixel Density |
|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | 78.7 PPI |
| 1440p (QHD) | 104.9 PPI |
| 4K (UHD) | 157.4 PPI |
Ideal resolution: 4K (UHD)
At 28 inches, 4K gives you 157 PPI — extremely sharp. 1440p works too (105 PPI) but this size is almost always paired with 4K panels in the market. At 1080p (79 PPI), 28 inches looks soft and isn't recommended.
Who Should Buy a 28-Inch Monitor?
4K gamers: Many affordable 4K 144Hz monitors come in 28 inches. If you want the sharpest image in games and your GPU can handle 4K, this is an accessible entry point.
Console gamers: The PS5 and Xbox Series X output at 4K. A 28-inch 4K monitor is an excellent desk-distance display for console gaming — sharper than a TV, with lower input lag.
Detail-oriented work: Photo editing, CAD, and any work where you need to zoom into fine detail benefits from the high pixel density of 4K at this size.
Viewing Distance
Recommended: 25-33 inches (63-84 cm)
Essentially the same as a 27-inch. The one-inch difference doesn't change the ergonomic math in any meaningful way.
Desk Space Requirements
Same requirements as 27 inches — about 24-25 inches of width and at least 28 inches of desk depth.
How 28 Inches Compares to Other Sizes
vs. smaller monitors: The difference from 27 to 28 inches is only about 7% more area. Side by side, they look nearly identical. The choice between them is usually about which specific model has the features and price you want, not the size itself.
vs. larger monitors: Jumping to 32 inches from 28 gives you 31% more area — a much more noticeable change. If immersion and workspace are priorities, that's the bigger upgrade.
Buying Advice
Since 28-inch monitors are almost exclusively sold at 4K, make sure your GPU can handle it. For 4K 60fps gaming, you'll want at least an RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT class card. For productivity only, any modern integrated graphics can drive a 4K desktop.
Compare 28-Inch Monitors
See how a 28-inch monitor looks next to other sizes on a virtual desk.