What is 5:4 aspect ratio? The nearly square 19-inch office monitor shape explained

By TechCompare · Updated November 2026 · How we check

5:4 is a nearly square panel for office work. A 1280 × 1024 image matches the shape exactly, so the native size needs no stretching.

Screen A: 16:9

Screen B: 5:4

Difference: 5:4 is 29.7% narrower than 16:9

5:4 next to 16:9 at the same height, so it looks narrower, not taller. Pre-loaded. Swap in another ratio to compare width differences side by side.

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5:4 is a nearly square monitor shape, 1.25:1 wide for every 1 tall. A 19-inch panel in this shape measures 14.8 × 11.9 inches (37.7 × 30.1 cm), and a 1280 × 1024 resolution matches it exactly.

Aspect ratio

5:4

19" diagonal

Dimensions

37.7 cm × 30.1 cm14.8" × 11.9"

19" at 5:4

How this is calculated

ViewSonic's VA951S is a real example of the shape. As of November 2026, its product page lists "Display Size (in.): 19," "Aspect Ratio: 5:4" and "Resolution: 1280 x 1024."

Dividing 1280 by 1024 gives 1.25, so the pixel count and the shape agree exactly. The 4:3 shape is 7% wider than 5:4 at the same height, so the two look alike without being identical.

At the same 19-inch diagonal, a 16:9 panel is 12% wider than a 5:4 panel. That's the trade for the taller shape.

Verdict

Consider 5:4 when your work is mostly documents, spreadsheets and reading, and you'd rather have height than width. At 19 inches the panel measures 14.8 inches (37.7 cm) wide and 11.9 inches (30.1 cm) tall. Skip it if you mostly watch widescreen video or run windows side by side, since a 16:9 panel gives you more width for the same diagonal.