15.6" laptop vs 17.3" laptop
The 17-inch screen is noticeably larger than the 15.6-inch: 23% more area, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) more width.
Screen dimensions and density
| 15.6" laptop | 17.3" laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 | 1920 × 1080 |
| Width | 13.6 in (34.5 cm) | 15.1 in (38.3 cm) |
| Height | 7.6 in (19.4 cm) | 8.5 in (21.5 cm) |
| Screen area | 104 in² | 128 in² (+23%) |
| Pixel density | 141 PPI | 127 PPI |
| PPD at lap distance | 49 | 44 |
These are panel dimensions; the machine around them varies by model and bezel. Use central pixels per degree to compare angular pixel density at your seat. The 60 PPD reference is not a universal visibility limit.
Both columns assume the class-standard 1920 by 1080 panel; plenty of laptops in these sizes ship sharper screens, and a different resolution changes the density rows but not the physical size. Enter your exact panel in the calculator for its numbers.
Comparing prices? See 15.6-inch and 17-inch on Amazon.
Open this comparison in the calculator, drawn to scaleReading this on an iPhone? Open it in the calculator and tap "Setup on your wall" to see the screens in your room at true physical size, in augmented reality.
Common questions
How much bigger is a 17-inch laptop screen than a 15.6-inch?
The 17-inch panel measures 15.1 in (38.3 cm) by 8.5 in (21.5 cm) against 13.6 in (34.5 cm) by 7.6 in (19.4 cm): 23% more screen area.
Is a 17-inch laptop too big to carry?
The screen itself is only 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wider and 0.8 in (2.1 cm) taller than the 15.6-inch; weight and footprint differences come mostly from the chassis around it, which varies more between models than between size classes.
Related pages
How these measurements are calculated
For a diagonal d and aspect ratio w:h, screen width is d × w / √(w² + h²), and height is d × h / √(w² + h²). Area is width × height; PPI is √(horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²) / diagonal in inches. Results are rounded for display.
Screen dimensions exclude the frame, feet and stand. Check the manufacturer's measurements for furniture and mounting clearance. A flat-screen viewing angle is 2 × atan(width / (2 × eye-to-screen distance)). The 40° cinema target is a preference, not a requirement; adjust the viewing angle for your room. It is approximately equivalent, for a 16:9 screen, to the distance × 0.835 sizing rule in the THX viewing guide.
The 60 central pixels-per-degree reference is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee that two displays look identical. Eyesight, contrast, source quality and panel technology also matter. Check sharpness at your own viewing distance.
Every number on this page is computed from resolution and diagonal with the DisplayMath screen size calculator. Free, no signup, runs in your browser. Content updated . Feedback? Email hello@displaymath.com or find us on Instagram. About · Privacy and affiliate disclosure. © 2026 DisplayMath. All rights reserved.