How to check if a monitor is connected at the right size

Your monitor may look blurry, stretched, or much larger than expected when it is using the wrong display mode. If you have more than one screen, it can also be hard to tell which resolution belongs to which monitor.

Check the resolution and scaling reported for each display, then compare the result with the monitor's recommended settings. The Screens tool can help you identify what your computer reports for each connected screen.

Check the monitor's resolution and scaling

1. Open the Screens tool on the computer connected to the monitor.
2. Look through the screens shown and identify the one you want to check. Compare the list with the displays physically connected to the computer.
3. Note that screen's resolution and scale. Resolution is the number of pixels used to draw the image. Scale changes the size of text and controls on screen.
4. Open your computer's display settings and select the same monitor. Check its selected resolution and, on Windows, compare the active signal mode with the desktop mode in Advanced display.
5. Find the monitor's recommended or native resolution in its manual or specifications. Compare it with the resolution selected by the computer. If you are unsure which screen is which, temporarily disconnect other monitors and check again.

The tool reports the screen information available to the browser. It does not measure the monitor's physical diagonal, and it cannot confirm every detail of the cable signal. Use the operating system's display settings and the monitor's specifications for those checks.

What the result means

The resolution matches the monitor's native resolution

The computer is using the monitor's intended pixel dimensions. For example, a monitor with a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 should normally be set to that resolution for a sharp image. If it still looks wrong, check scaling, the monitor's picture settings, or the cable and adapter.

The resolution is lower than the native resolution

The computer is sending fewer pixels than the panel can show. The monitor may enlarge that image to fill the screen, which can make text or edges look soft. Select the monitor's native resolution if it is available. If it is missing from the choices, the connection, adapter, dock, graphics driver, or monitor mode may be limiting the options.

The resolution looks right, but text and icons are too large or too small

Check the scale setting. Scaling changes the size of interface items without changing the monitor's pixel resolution. A high scale can make everything look larger while keeping the image sharp. Browser zoom affects only the page in that browser, not the desktop resolution or the monitor's scale.

The resolution matches, but the picture is stretched or cut off

Resolution alone does not explain every picture problem. A mismatched aspect ratio can stretch the image, while overscan can crop its edges. Overscan means the display enlarges the picture beyond the visible panel area. Check the monitor's picture or aspect-ratio settings, and try another supported setting if the picture is cropped.

The monitor is missing from the list

The computer or browser may not be detecting that display correctly. Check that the monitor is on and set to the input used by the cable. Then reconnect the cable and check the operating system's display settings again.

How to fix the wrong display size

1. Select the correct monitor. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display and select the numbered display that matches the physical monitor. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays and select the display you want to adjust.
2. Choose a supported resolution. On Windows 11, use Settings › System › Display and choose the monitor's recommended resolution under Display resolution. On macOS, use System Settings › Displays and choose a resolution option appropriate for that display. The available options depend on the monitor and connection.
3. Check the active signal on Windows. Go to Settings › System › Display › Advanced display and inspect the active signal mode. If it differs from the desktop mode, the computer may be scaling the output before it reaches the monitor. Check the cable, dock, adapter, and display mode if the signal is not the expected one.
4. Adjust scaling separately. In Windows 11, use Settings › System › Display › Scale. On macOS, use System Settings › Displays to choose a setting that makes interface items comfortable to read. Changing scale is not the same as changing resolution.
5. Reconnect the display directly. If the right resolution is not available, connect the monitor directly to the computer instead of through a dock or adapter, if possible. Try a different port or a cable rated for the monitor's resolution and refresh rate.
6. Restart after changing the connection. Turn the monitor off and on, then restart the computer if it still reports the old mode. Recheck the display settings and the Screens tool after the system starts.

When the connection may be the problem

If the monitor's native resolution is missing even when it is connected directly, check the monitor's menu for a compatibility or input mode setting. Some displays and adapters offer different modes depending on the input and cable. Test another cable or port before assuming the monitor is faulty.

If the monitor has visible damage, or it cannot show its native resolution with a known-good cable and a second computer, the monitor or its input may need repair. Check the warranty before paying for service. If by “size” you mean the monitor's physical diagonal, check the model number on its label and look up the manufacturer's specifications instead.