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11-inch vs 13-inch tablet: the shape changes the answer

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

The 13-inch tablet has about 43% more screen area than the 11-inch one. Whether that extra room is worth the bulk depends on whether the tablet stays on a table.

Both panels drawn to scale

13-inch 4:3 panel overlaid on an 11-inch 2360 × 1640 panel

11-inch (2360 × 1640): 15.9 cm (6.3 in)6.3 in (15.9 cm) × 22.9 cm (9.0 in)9.0 in (22.9 cm) · 366 cm² (57 in²)57 in² (366 cm²)
13-inch 4:3: 19.8 cm (7.8 in)7.8 in (19.8 cm) × 26.4 cm (10.4 in)10.4 in (26.4 cm) · 523 cm² (81 in²)81 in² (523 cm²)
Width difference: 3.9 cm (1.5 in)1.5 in (3.9 cm) (24.3%) · Height difference: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)1.4 in (3.5 cm) (15.1%) · Area ratio: 1.43×
Both panels share a corner and are drawn at the same scale, so the extra width and height of the larger screen are true to size. Open these two in the full Screen Size Comparison ›

The 13-inch screen has 43% more area than the 11-inch one, and the aspect ratio you pick moves that number.

The 11 and 13-inch pair differs by 2 inches on the diagonal, which sounds modest. Area tells a bigger story, and the shape you pick for each side changes how big that story looks. Here the 11-inch side is a little more stretched than 4:3, so check the numbers below before you trust a percentage.

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Draw an 11-inch and a 13-inch tablet to scale
Overlay both tablets at true size, each in its own shape.
See the screen size chart
Diagonal, shape and area for TVs, monitors, laptops, phones and tablets.
Compare the 8.3-inch tablet with a phone
How a mid-size tablet compares with a 6.9-inch phone.

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Option A
11-inch tablet
Wins 0 of 9 compared specs
Option B
13-inch tablet
Wins 5 of 9 compared specs

Side-by-side specs

Spec11-inch tablet13-inch tablet
Diagonal
11 in (27.9 cm)
13 in (33 cm) (better on this spec)
Aspect ratioAspect ratio is the width compared to the height. The shape changes the area at the same diagonal.
2360 × 1640 (1.44:1)
4:3 (1.33:1)
Width
15.9 cm (6.3 in)6.3 in (15.9 cm)
19.8 cm (7.8 in)7.8 in (19.8 cm) (better on this spec)
Height
22.9 cm (9.0 in)9.0 in (22.9 cm)
26.4 cm (10.4 in)10.4 in (26.4 cm) (better on this spec)
Screen area
366 cm² (57 in²)57 in² (366 cm²)
523 cm² (81 in²)81 in² (523 cm²) (better on this spec)
Area vs 11-inch
Baseline
~43% more (better on this spec)
Extra width
Baseline
+3.9 cm (1.5 in)+1.5 in (3.9 cm)
Extra height
Baseline
+3.5 cm (1.4 in)+1.4 in (3.5 cm)
Area gap if both are 4:3
Baseline
~40% more

How they differ

The 11-inch side assumes a 2360 by 1640 pixel panel, a shape of about 1.44:1. That's a little more stretched than 4:3, which is 1.33:1. It measures 15.9 cm (6.3 inches)6.3 inches (15.9 cm) wide by 22.9 cm (9.0 inches)9.0 inches (22.9 cm) tall, for about 366 cm² (57 in²)57 in² (366 cm²). The 13-inch side assumes 4:3 and measures 19.8 cm (7.8 inches)7.8 inches (19.8 cm) wide by 26.4 cm (10.4 inches)10.4 inches (26.4 cm) tall, for about 523 cm² (81 in²)81 in² (523 cm²).

The ratio you pick changes the answer. With both sides at 4:3, the area gap drops to about 40%, against the 43% shown here. Check each tablet's real shape before you trust any percentage.

On a lap, the 13-inch covers more of your legs and needs a steadier surface. In a bag, check the case's outside size, since the frame adds to these numbers. On a desk, it takes more room, especially with a stand or keyboard case.

Verdict

Pick the 13-inch if the tablet mostly lives on a desk or table and you watch video or work in two windows. Pick the 11-inch if it goes on your lap or in a bag most days, where the smaller frame is easier to manage.

Draw an 11-inch and a 13-inch tablet to scale

Which should you pick?

Choose 11-inch tablet

Pick 11-inch if:

  • It goes on your lap or in a bag most days
  • You want an easier screen to hold for long sessions
  • You need less desk space for a stand or keyboard case
Compare the 8.3-inch tablet with a phone

Choose 13-inch tablet

Pick 13-inch if:

  • You mostly use it on a desk or table
  • You watch video or read long documents
  • You work in two windows side by side
  • You can make room for a bigger footprint
Draw the 13-inch 4:3 tablet alone

Related comparisons

6.1-inch phone vs 6.7-inch phone
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6.3-inch phone vs 6.9-inch phone
The 6.9-inch screen has 20% more area than the 6.3-inch one, from a diagonal 0.6 inches longer.
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8.3-inch tablet vs 6.9-inch phone
The 8.3-inch tablet is 1.7 in (4.2 cm) wider than the 6.9-inch phone and has about 74% more area.
Read comparison

Frequently asked questions

How much bigger is a 13-inch tablet than an 11-inch one?
About 43% more screen area with these shapes. The diagonal is 2 inches longer, the width grows by 3.9 cm (1.5 in)1.5 in (3.9 cm), and the height grows by 3.5 cm (1.4 in)1.4 in (3.5 cm). Area grows with the square of the diagonal when the shape stays the same, which is why the gap looks bigger than the diagonal alone.
Why does the aspect ratio change the answer?
At a fixed diagonal, the more a shape stretches away from a square, the less area it has. The 11-inch side assumes 2360 by 1640 pixels, which is more stretched than 4:3, so it gives up some area. With both sides at 4:3, the 13-inch has about 40% more area.
Which size is better for a lap?
The 11-inch is easier to hold for long sessions, since it's smaller in both directions. The 13-inch gives more room for split-screen work and video, but it takes up more of your lap and needs a steadier surface.

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