Screen Size

Web pages don't come in a standard size, there is actually a huge number of different permutations of possible sizes of screen someone may be using to view a web page. The actual physical dimensions are actually not all that relevant.

Firstly there is the type of Browser the person is using. It could be (in order of popularity)

• Firefox
  
• Internet Explorer 7
  
• Internet Explorer 6
  
• Internet Explorer 8
• Google Chrome
• Apple Safari
• Opera
  

Secondly there is the way their screen is set up or configured this is expressed in the number of pixels the screen displays in each direction this could be

• 800x600
• 1024x768
• 1152 x 864
• 1280 x 600
• 1280 x 720
• 1280 x 768
• 1280 x 960
• 1280 x 1024

That makes 56 different permutations.

You also have to bear in mind the people don't mind pages that are longer than their screen size so they have to scroll down to see the whole page. They really don't like a page that is too wide and requires you to scroll from side to side.

We generally approach this with one of 2 strategies

1. Build a web page that flexes to fit whatever screen size and resolution it is presented with
2. Build the page to fit a common screen size and make it float in the middle of bigger screens with just blank space down either side.

Number one is the better option and works much better with the technology we use. It makes edits and updates easy. The problem is the page layout is unpredictable and can look completely different on different computers. This is not acceptable if you have a very certain idea of the page look and layout you want.

Number two is more of a compromise but does give a greater deal of control. Updates and edits can be harder with this style of layout

At the moment the lowest, most common screen size is 1024 x 768 pixels. You have to bear in mind that different browsers take up different amounts of screen space and it also depends on the number of toolbars etc that a person has working on their computer. As a general approximation you have at a minimum of 955 x 600 pixels of space in which to display your web page.

This web site on browser statistics is very useful and informative and this other page on the same site gives some interesting information on browser display resolution