How much desk does a dual monitor setup need?
Add the two screen widths, the bezels and a small gap. Two 24-inch monitors take about 44 inches of width, two 27-inch monitors about 49 inches, and two 32-inch monitors about 58 inches. Leave a few inches either side for speakers, a lamp or just breathing room: a 55-inch desk is comfortable for dual 27s, and dual 32s want 63 inches or more.
Angling the screens inward by 15–30° makes them easier to see and trims a few inches off the footprint, but needs a bit more desk depth.
Main screen in the middle, or both meeting at the centre?
If you use one screen most of the time, put it straight in front of you and the second one off to the side, angled in. If you use both equally, centre the seam between them so you turn your head the same amount each way.
Mixing sizes works too: a 27-inch main screen with a 24-inch secondary is a common, cheaper pairing. Drag the screens in the planner to try both layouts.
Choosing a dual monitor arm
On a single-pole dual arm, each arm must reach from the pole to the centre of its screen: half the screen width plus half the gap. That is about 11.3 inches for dual 24-inch monitors, 12.6 inches for dual 27-inch, and 14.7 inches for dual 32-inch. Check the arm's maximum extension, and the weight and VESA limits on its spec sheet.
Arms free up the desk space under the screens and let you set height precisely, which matters most for taller users and standing desks.
How high should dual monitors be?
Set the top edge of both screens at, or one to two inches below, your eye level. For a 5′10″ person at a standard 29-inch desk that is roughly 18 inches above the desk. Keep both tops level so your eyes don't jump when you move between screens.
Updated November 12, 2026 · Dimensions calculated from each screen's diagonal and aspect ratio.