How Big Is a 48 Inch Monitor?
A 48-inch 16:9 monitor measures about 41.8 inches wide and 23.5 inches tall. This is the size that brought OLED to gaming desks. LG's 48-inch WOLED panel became the panel of choice for gamers who wanted OLED's perfect contrast and vibrant colors at a size that (barely) works on a desk. It's essentially a small TV being used as a monitor, and it requires specific setup considerations to make it work well.
48-Inch Monitor Dimensions by Aspect Ratio
Exact width and height calculated from the 48-inch diagonal at each common aspect ratio.
| Aspect Ratio | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 41.84" (106.26 cm) | 23.53" (59.77 cm) |
| 16:10 | 40.7" (103.39 cm) | 25.44" (64.62 cm) |
| 21:9 | 44.12" (112.06 cm) | 18.91" (48.03 cm) |
| 4:3 | 38.4" (97.54 cm) | 28.8" (73.15 cm) |
Resolution and Pixel Density at 48 Inches
| Resolution | Pixel Density |
|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | 45.9 PPI |
| 1440p (QHD) | 61.2 PPI |
| 4K (UHD) | 91.8 PPI |
Ideal resolution: 4K (UHD)
At 48 inches, 4K gives you 92 PPI — the same as a 24-inch 1080p monitor. It's fine for gaming but text can look a bit soft for productivity. Many people use 125-150% scaling, which reduces usable workspace but improves readability.
Who Should Buy a 48-Inch Monitor?
OLED gaming enthusiasts: This is where OLED gaming started on the desktop. Infinite contrast makes dark scenes in games look stunning. Fast pixel response times eliminate ghosting. It's a transformative gaming experience if you have the desk space.
Media and entertainment: Movies, shows, and YouTube content are incredibly immersive at 48 inches with OLED. Watching content at your desk feels like having a private cinema.
Simulation gamers: Flight sims, racing sims, and space games benefit enormously from the large canvas. The screen wraps into your peripheral vision for genuine immersion.
Viewing Distance
Recommended: 38-54 inches (96-137 cm)
This is a stretch for most desks. You need to sit at least 38 inches back, ideally more. Many people mount 48-inch OLEDs on the wall behind their desk. Some recline their chair and sit farther back for a couch-like experience.
Desk Space Requirements
Needs about 42 inches of desk width. Most standard desks aren't deep enough — you'll likely need a wall mount, deep desk, or a desk pushed against the wall with the monitor mounted above.
How 48 Inches Compares to Other Sizes
vs. smaller monitors: About 31% more area than a 42-inch. If you've decided on large-format OLED, the 48-inch gives you noticeably more immersion. Both sizes require similar desk accommodations.
vs. larger monitors: The 55-inch is 31% more area and is typically too large for desk use. For most people, 48 inches is the largest practical desktop display size.
Buying Advice
Only buy a 48-inch display if you have the space to sit far enough back. Set up OLED pixel shift, screen savers, and varied content to prevent burn-in. Use dark mode and auto-hide your taskbar. Consider a dedicated OLED gaming monitor (like the LG 48GQ900) over a regular OLED TV, as gaming monitors have better anti-reflective coatings and desk-friendly stands.
Compare 48-Inch Monitors
See how a 48-inch monitor looks next to other sizes on a virtual desk.