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What scaling should I use with a 24-inch 1440p monitor?

TechCompare recommends 150% scaling (150% exact).

Our starting recommendation for a 24-inch (61.0 cm) 1440p monitor is 150%, with an exact target of 150%. Packing 2560 × 1440 pixels into this smaller diagonal produces a higher density than the same resolution at 27 inches. Increasing scale keeps the interface from becoming physically smaller just because the panel packs its pixels more tightly.

By TechCompare · Updated

TechCompare recommendation:

150% Scaling (150% exact)

150% scalingWindows 11
Monitor and interface at proportional physical sizes

Recommended monitors

Based on the specs you entered, here are the monitors TechCompare recommends.

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How this is calculated

The panel works out to about 122.38 PPI, exactly 1.5 times the density of our reference monitor. At 150%, the modeled desktop is about 1707 × 960. At 125%, it's 2048 × 1152. That difference can matter when you keep several panels open in an editor or want more visible columns in a spreadsheet. The native 2560 × 1440 resolution stays the same in both cases. Only the mapping between logical interface units and panel pixels changes.

Verdict

Begin with 150% for our target physical interface size, then compare 125% if you prefer a denser workspace. Small monitors can make an otherwise roomy resolution feel tight after scaling, especially with fixed-size windows. Maximizing one app may suit the setup better than placing two full windows next to each other. Use the example-window selector in the full tool to compare both ways of working.

More display scaling scenarios

Frequently asked questions

What scaling should I use with a 24-inch 1440p monitor?
TechCompare recommends starting at 150%. The exact target is 150%, based on our 27-inch (68.6 cm) 1080p reference at 100%. It's a size preference, so compare nearby settings and choose the one that feels comfortable on your own display.
Is this the same as Windows' recommended scaling?
No. TechCompare uses its own preferred physical interface size, based on a 27-inch (68.6 cm) 1080p monitor at 100%. We calculate its full pixel density and match other displays to that reference. This tool doesn't detect the setting Windows marks as Recommended. Comfort, eyesight, viewing distance, and your apps can make a different percentage suit you better.
Does scaling change my monitor's resolution or PPI?
Scaling changes how many panel pixels a logical interface unit occupies. It doesn't change the panel's physical pixel density. A 3840 × 2160 display at 200% has a modeled 1920 × 1080 logical desktop while still using the 4K panel. Keep the display at its native resolution when comparing scaling. Microsoft explains resolution and scaling settings.
How do I change display scaling in Windows 11?
Open Settings > System > Display, select the monitor you want to change, then choose a percentage under Scale in the Scale & layout section. Try your preferred setting in a few everyday apps. This preview is a planning aid and won't apply anything to Windows. See Microsoft's display settings guide for the current steps.
Does Ubuntu GNOME support every percentage in the preview?
The dropdown models interface sizes from 100% to 500%. It doesn't check which settings your Ubuntu version, desktop session, or graphics setup offers. The Ubuntu top panel and Dock use illustrative dimensions. Choose the scale that's actually available in your display settings, then use the preview to understand the size and workspace tradeoff.
Is the desktop preview life-size or pixel-perfect?
No. It shrinks to fit the page while preserving panel proportions and modeled interface sizes. Example windows, icons, and fonts are illustrations. The Windows taskbar uses a 48-unit reference measured on one desktop, while the Ubuntu panel and Dock use sizing assumptions. Compare relative layout space here, then judge actual text and app rendering on your own monitor.

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