Whether you’re buying a new laptop case, trying to sell your device online, or just curious about its size, knowing how to measure a laptop correctly helps you avoid surprises. But let’s be honest—measuring a laptop isn’t always straightforward. You’re probably wondering: Do I measure the screen or the whole body? What’s the right tool to get an exact size? And how do I deal with those weird curves on the edges?
Don’t worry. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to measure your laptop like a pro, even if you’ve never done it before.
What Dimensions of a Laptop Should I Measure?
First things first, let’s clear up which parts of your laptop you should measure. Laptops aren’t just a rectangle; they have a screen, keyboard deck, base, and sometimes tapered edges that can confuse you.
Here are the main dimensions to focus on:
- Screen Size (Diagonal Measure)
- This tells you how big the display is.
- Width and Depth (Body Dimensions)
- Width is the distance from left to right.
- Depth (sometimes called length) is from front to back.
- Thickness (Height)
- How thick or thin your laptop is when closed.
- Weight (Optional but Helpful)
- How heavy your laptop feels, especially if you travel a lot.
Why Measure These?
Imagine buying a laptop bag or sleeve. Knowing just the screen size won’t guarantee a perfect fit because the laptop body might be bigger due to bezels or keyboard design. That’s why measuring the width, depth, and thickness of the actual body—not just the screen—is so important.
What Tools Do I Need to Measure a Laptop?
You don’t need fancy gadgets here. The job can be done with simple tools, some of which you might already have lying around.
Essential Tools:
- Measuring tape or ruler (preferably a flexible tape measure)
- Caliper (optional, for extra precise thickness measurements)
- Kitchen scale (for measuring weight, if you don’t have a digital scale)
- Flat surface (to place the laptop steady)
Pro Tip: Avoid measuring with a fabric tape used for sewing if you want precision. A plastic or metal tape measure or a rigid ruler gives you better accuracy.
If you don’t have a tape measure, a standard 12-inch ruler and some patience will work, but take more care with curved edges.
How to Accurately Measure the Screen Size of a Laptop
Here’s a tricky one because laptop screen size isn’t about the whole laptop—it’s about the screen itself.
Step-by-Step:
- Close the laptop and place it on a flat surface.
- Take your tape measure or ruler and measure from one corner of the screen’s visible display diagonally to the opposite corner.
- For example, top-left corner to bottom-right corner.
- Be sure to measure only the actual visible screen area, excluding the bezels (the plastic or metal frame around the screen).
- Write down the diagonal measurement in inches, as screen sizes are usually described in inches.
Why Diagonal?
Screens are measured diagonally because it reflects the overall size more accurately than width or height alone. You might have seen this when shopping—13.3-inch, 15.6-inch, 17.3-inch—those numbers are all diagonal measurements.
Example:
If you measure from the top-left to bottom-right corner and get 13.5 inches, your screen size is likely labeled as a 13.3-inch screen (they round down).
Confusing? It is, especially if your bezels are thick. That’s why measuring only the visible screen is crucial.
How to Measure the Width and Depth of the Laptop Body
The width and depth define the footprint of your laptop’s main body (the part that includes the keyboard and base).
Step-by-Step:
- Close your laptop and place it on a flat, hard surface.
- Hold the measuring tape or ruler parallel to the front edge of the laptop.
- Measure the width: from the left edge to the right edge of the body.
- Measure the depth: from the front edge (where your palms rest) to the back edge (where the hinge is).
- Record both measurements in inches or centimeters—whichever you prefer.
Watch Out for Curves and Tapers
Many laptops have curved or tapered edges, which can throw off measurements if you grab the wrong spot. Always measure:
- At the widest point for width.
- At the deepest point for depth.
If the laptop narrows towards the back or sides, don’t measure those slimmer points. Imagine fitting the laptop into a bag—the widest and deepest points need to fit.
How to Measure the Thickness and Weight of a Laptop
Thickness often gets overlooked, but it’s a big deal when you want a slim laptop.
Measuring Thickness:
- Close your laptop.
- Place your ruler or caliper perpendicular to the base of the laptop at the thickest point.
- If your laptop tapers (like MacBooks or ultrabooks), measure both the front edge and the thickest edge near the hinge.
- Write down these numbers separately—thickness can vary.
Example: A MacBook Air is about 0.16 inches thick at the front but 0.63 inches thick at the hinge.
Measuring Weight:
If you want to know how heavy your laptop is:
- Use a digital kitchen scale if your laptop is light enough, or a shipping scale for heavier models.
- Remove any external attachments (chargers, USB devices) first.
- Place the laptop gently on the scale and note the weight.
If you don’t have a scale, you can check your laptop’s manual or manufacturer’s website—they usually list weight.
Troubleshooting Common Pain Points
Confused About Which Parts to Measure?
Just remember: Screen size is only the display. Body dimensions are the whole laptop base.
If you’re buying accessories, focus more on body dimensions (width, depth, thickness) because cases and bags need to fit the entire laptop, not just the screen.
No Proper Measuring Tools on Hand?
Don’t panic. Use a standard ruler or even a piece of paper with known dimensions (like a sheet of letter-size paper is 8.5 x 11 inches). You can mark the laptop edges on the paper and then measure the marks with a ruler.
Dealing With Curves or Irregular Edges?
Try measuring the laptop in several spots and write down the largest measurement for width and depth. Always round up to avoid too-tight fits.
Quick Reference Table: Laptop Measurement Checklist
| Dimension | What to Measure | Tool Needed | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | Diagonal of visible display | Tape measure/ruler | Exclude bezels |
| Width | Widest left-to-right point | Tape measure/ruler | Measure at widest spot |
| Depth | Deepest front-to-back point | Tape measure/ruler | Measure at deepest spot |
| Thickness | Height when closed at thickest parts | Caliper or ruler | Measure front & back edges |
| Weight | Laptop only without accessories | Digital scale | Use shipping/kitchen scale |
FAQ: Quick Answers to Your Laptop Measuring Questions
Q: Can I measure my laptop while it’s open?
A: It’s best to measure the screen diagonal while the laptop is open, but body dimensions and thickness should be measured when closed.
Q: Should I include the keyboard area in width/depth?
A: Yes, body dimensions include the entire base—keyboard, palm rest, and chassis.
Q: What if my laptop has a very rounded edge?
A: Measure at the widest and deepest points ignoring curves, then use the largest numbers for accuracy.
Q: How precise do I need to be?
A: Usually, within 0.1 inch or 1-2 millimeters is good enough for fitting bags or cases.
Final Thoughts
Measuring your laptop isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of care—especially if you want to avoid buying cases that are too small or misrepresenting your device when selling.
Just remember: screen size is about the visible display only, and body dimensions are what really matter for accessories. Armed with a simple tape measure or ruler, and a little patience, you’ll get all the info you need.
And hey, next time you’re shopping for a laptop bag or posting your laptop online, you’ll do it confidently. No more second-guessing.
References
[1] According to LaptopMag (https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/how-to-measure-laptop-screen), measuring the diagonal of the display accurately excludes bezels to determine screen size.
[2] According to Consumer Reports (https://www.consumerreports.org/laptop-bags/how-to-measure-for-a-laptop-bag/), measuring the width, depth, and thickness of the entire laptop body is essential for finding the right laptop case or bag.
[3] According to TechRadar (https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-measure-your-laptop), using a flexible tape measure or calipers gives the most precise body dimension results.
Hope this helps! Now grab your tape measure and go see how your laptop really measures up.
Danny Inayat