27 vs 38 Inch Monitor: Size Comparison to Scale
A 38-inch monitor has 65% more screen area than a 27-inch one. Side by side, that's 29.3 cm more width and 3.5 cm more height. The picture below shows both screens in true relative scale.
Both screens drawn to the same scale, aligned at the bottom-left corner.
| Parameter | 27″ cm | 27″ in | 38″ cm | 38″ in | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 59.8 cm | 23.5 in | 89.1 cm | 35.1 in | +49% |
| Height | 33.6 cm | 13.2 in | 37.1 cm | 14.6 in | +10% |
| Area | 2010 cm² | 312 in² | 3307 cm² | 513 in² | +65% |
| PPI | 108.8 PPI | 2560×1440 | 109.5 PPI | 3840×1600 | +1% |
The difference in numbers
The 38″ screen is 29.3 cm wider (+49%) and 3.5 cm taller (+10%) than the 27″ screen. You would need about 1.6 screens of 27″ to cover the area of one 38″ screen.
Recommended viewing distance
27″: 0.82 m – 1.12 m (2.7 ft – 3.7 ft)
38″: 1.22 m – 1.66 m (4.0 ft – 5.5 ft)
Questions about 27″ vs 38″
Which size should I buy for my room?
Match the diagonal to your seating distance — our viewing distance calculator turns a comfortable distance into a recommended size range for any screen.
Is 38″ too big if I sit close?
If you sit closer than about 1.22 m, a 38″ screen can feel oversized — the 27″ option keeps a comfortable field of view at shorter distances.
Why compare area instead of diagonal?
Area is what you actually see. Two screens with the same diagonal but different aspect ratios can differ in area by 10% or more, which diagonal alone hides.