32-inch 4K monitor with a vertical 24-inch side panel - desk fit guide

How this is calculated

The portrait 24-inch stands about 20.5 inches (52 cm) tall, which is noticeably shorter than a portrait 27-inch and lines up more evenly with a 32-inch 4K main panel mounted at the same base level. That smaller height gap is the reason this combo looks more visually balanced than a 32-plus-vertical-27 layout. At 138 PPI the 32-inch 4K main panel sits at the edge of what most people can resolve at normal desk distances, so 125-150% OS scaling is usually wanted.

Verdict

The 32-inch 4K panel at 28 inches (71 cm) wide plus a portrait 24-inch at 13 inches (33 cm) wide spans about 41 inches (104 cm), which is the width that makes 48 inches (122 cm) of desk the sensible floor and leaves about 3.5 inches (9 cm) of side room without angling. The portrait 24-inch stands about 20.5 inches (52 cm) tall against the 32-inch panel mounted at the same base level, which is a smaller height gap than a portrait 27-inch produces and is what stops the side panel from towering awkwardly above the main screen. The depth check is the constraint that decides whether this lives on a 24-inch or 28-inch desk: the 32-inch native stand consumes 10-12 inches (25-30 cm), so a 24-inch (61 cm) depth leaves a tight 24-inch (61 cm) viewing distance, while a 28-inch (71 cm) depth opens roughly 28 inches (71 cm) and suits the 138 PPI panel. A VESA 100x100 arm for the 32-inch and a VESA 100x100 or 75x75 arm for the 24-inch restores the depth the stands consume and is the move that lets this combo run on a shallow desk.