What's a good screen resolution to design for?

Michael Quinn from Mildura, Australia asks: "What screen size to you consider to be the default size for "above the fold" content on a website? Obviously different screen sizes and resolutions will show more or less. So what's a good standard to work with?"

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• resolution

[larssonk22]

I design for 1024x768 but if you design to this size make your pages 960 pixel wide max this allows for padding and no horizontal scrolling.

[GTWCMT]

1024 x768 is very popular screen sizes

One of my websites has a HD 1600x1050 and also a 1024 x764 site, both are the same, just smaller by using css so users have a choice.

I dont really think vertical is a big issue, but horizontal is, most users are used to scolling DOWN for content and NOT ACROSS

[zambaretul2005]

thank you for the info i currently use 1024 x764

[zambaretul2005]

thank you for the info i currently use 1024 x764.

[TheCashbash96]

hi what screen size did you use for this video so that it fit the whole screen for the video. plz respond

[gogoasacenusie]

How about a fluid layout? Wont that solve all the problems?

[Thet3]

@BlueBoden hmmm really? I am a noob.. I was wondering about resolution also..

[BlueBoden]

Honestly, this has changed a lot doing recent years. So there is no "best" to design for. Browsers also got a zoom function now, making it less important what resolution you design for.

You can also use Media queries to automatically chose the right stylesheet, based on user agent screen resolution. So obsessing about screen resolution, really shows that you need to wake up from your slumber.

[ititan09]

I think the visitors to Matt's site are more likely to have higher screen resolutions, grandma is still running windows 98 or xp and has a CRT in my guess.

[stevo632]

960 grid system.

iphone4 has 960 width res.

huge 24inch monitors with windows7 snap allow you to browse 2 web pages at 960px width perfectly. unfortunately not on a 22inch screen for me.

Also got to consider for the growing mobile web platforms. Otherwise do a fluid design if your good enough with css. But these in my opinion are only good if the website is for text, and very rarely for sites with image content etc.

[InkPilot]

I use a 2560x1600 resolution, it would be interesting to see a website that was made specifically for that resolution :)