What Size Computer Desk Do You Need for Two Monitors?

The quick answer

For two monitors, choose a desk at least 120cm wide and 60cm deep. For most people, 140cm to 160cm wide and 70cm to 80cm deep is more comfortable, because it leaves room for the screens to angle slightly inward and for a lamp, notebook or speakers at the sides. You can compare widths across our modern computer desks UK to find one that suits your screens.

That is the headline figure, but the right desk size depends on your monitors, how they are mounted and how far you like to sit from them. The sections below walk through each factor so you can measure once and buy with confidence. If you are fitting out a whole room, our office furniture UK range covers chairs, storage and accessories as well.

Measure the monitors, not just the screen size

Monitor sizes are measured diagonally, which is not very helpful when you are planning desk width. What you need is the physical width of each monitor including its frame. As a rough guide for standard widescreen models:

• A 22 inch monitor is typically about 50cm wide.
• A 24 inch monitor is typically about 54cm wide.
• A 27 inch monitor is typically about 61cm wide.
• A 32 inch monitor is typically about 72cm wide.

These figures vary between brands, so check the specification sheet for your exact model. Add the two widths together to get the minimum span. Two 24 inch screens come to around 108cm. Two 27 inch screens come to around 122cm. Mixing sizes, such as a 27 inch main screen with a 24 inch secondary screen, lands somewhere in between.

Allow room either side

A desk that exactly matches the width of your monitors will feel cramped. Most people angle the outer edges of two screens slightly towards them, which actually reduces the straight line width a little, but you still need space for the things that sit around the screens: a desk lamp, a phone, a pen pot, perhaps a pair of speakers.

A sensible approach is to add 15cm to 20cm on each side of the screens. For two 24 inch monitors, that points to a desk of around 140cm. For two 27 inch monitors, 150cm to 160cm feels balanced. If you have a smaller room, you can go narrower, but try not to drop below the combined width of the screens plus about 10cm.

Depth: the measurement people forget

Depth decides how far you sit from the screens. A comfortable viewing distance for most monitors is roughly an arm’s length, around 50cm to 75cm from your eyes. Larger screens benefit from the further end of that range.

On a 60cm deep desk, with the monitor stands at the back and a keyboard at the front, you end up close to the screens, especially with 27 inch models. At 70cm to 80cm deep, you can push the monitors back, keep the keyboard and mouse at a relaxed distance and still rest your forearms on the desk. If your room allows it, extra depth often improves comfort more than extra width.

Stands, arms and how they change the numbers

Monitor stands often have deep feet that eat into desk space. Some extend 20cm or more forward from the back edge. A dual monitor arm clamped to the rear of the desk lifts both screens off the surface, lets you set the height precisely and frees up the area beneath.

If you plan to use an arm, check that the desk has a solid rear edge and enough thickness for a clamp, or a cable grommet that can take a bolt through mount. Glass tops and some thin designs are not suitable for clamps, so it is worth confirming before you buy.

Screen height and posture

The top of each monitor should sit at or slightly below eye level, with your neck in a neutral position. With two screens, decide whether you look at them equally or use one as the main display. If both are equal, place the join between them directly in front of you. If one is primary, centre that one and angle the second to the side.

Desk height also plays a part. Standard desks are around 72cm to 76cm high. Combined with an adjustable chair and, if needed, a footrest, this suits most adults. A chair with a wide height range and adjustable armrests makes fine tuning your position much easier, so it is worth choosing the chair and desk together.

Straight desk or corner desk?

A straight desk works for most dual monitor setups and fits neatly against a wall. A corner desk becomes appealing when you need more width than the wall allows. Placing the screens in the corner lets the inner angle provide extra depth, which is helpful with larger monitors.

The trade off is that corners can feel enclosed and are harder to light. If you go this route, browse our corner computer desks UK sale and check the depth of the corner section, since that is where your screens will sit.

Gaming and creative setups

People who game or edit video often run larger screens, ultrawide displays alongside a standard monitor, or additional equipment such as audio interfaces and drawing tablets. These setups usually need a desk 160cm wide or more and 70cm to 80cm deep. Our gaming desks UK are designed with wider surfaces, cable routing and sturdy frames to carry heavier equipment.

Checking the room

A wider, deeper desk needs a room that can take it. Measure the wall where it will go and subtract any space needed for radiators, sockets and doors. Then check the clearance behind your seat. You need roughly 90cm between the front edge of the desk and the wall or furniture behind you to move a chair comfortably.

In a typical UK box room or spare bedroom, a 140cm desk is often the largest that sits comfortably along one wall while leaving space for other furniture. If the room is very compact, consider a 120cm desk with a dual arm, which keeps the screens high and the surface clear.

Laptop plus monitor setups

Many people use a laptop as the second screen rather than buying two monitors. This works well, but the laptop sits lower and closer than a monitor, so the two displays rarely line up. A simple laptop stand raises the screen closer to the height of the monitor and frees space for the keyboard underneath. With an external keyboard and mouse, the combined footprint is similar to two 22 inch monitors, so a desk around 120cm wide is usually enough.

If the laptop is closed most of the time and connected to two external monitors, a vertical laptop stand at the side of the desk saves surface area. Leave a little extra space at that end so cables can reach without strain.

Weight and stability

Two monitors add weight, especially larger models or those on a dual arm, which concentrates the load at one point on the rear edge. A desk with a solid frame and a top at least 18mm thick is a sensible baseline. Wobble is more noticeable with two screens because any movement is magnified at the top of the displays, which can be distracting when typing.

Check that the desk legs are well braced, either with a rear panel, a crossbar or a sturdy metal frame. Adjustable feet help on uneven floorboards, which are common in older UK homes, and stop the desk rocking when you lean on it.

Lighting around two screens

A wider bank of screens is more likely to catch reflections from windows and ceiling lights. Position the desk so windows sit to your side rather than behind the screens or behind you. A desk lamp placed to the side of the screens, angled away from them, provides task lighting without glare. On a wider desk, there is usually room for a lamp at one end without it encroaching on the monitors.

Keyboard, mouse and writing space

With two monitors, the keyboard usually sits centrally under the main screen, and the mouse sits to one side. Leave enough width for the mouse to move freely, at least 25cm beyond the edge of the keyboard. If you also handwrite notes, a slightly wider desk lets you keep a notebook to the other side rather than pushing the keyboard away each time.

Cables and power

Two monitors mean extra power and video cables. A desk with a grommet, a rear cable tray or a gap at the back will keep them tidy. Place the extension lead off the floor where possible and route cables down a single leg so they stay out of the way of your feet and the chair.

How it looks on camera

A two screen setup often doubles as your video call station. Position the webcam on the main monitor, at eye level, and keep the wall behind you uncluttered. Wood finishes tend to look warm on screen, something we explored in our feature on wooden desks on UK video calls.

Summary of recommended sizes

• Two 22 inch or 24 inch monitors: 120cm to 140cm wide, 60cm to 70cm deep.
• Two 27 inch monitors: 140cm to 160cm wide, 70cm to 80cm deep.
• Two 32 inch or one ultrawide plus one standard: 160cm or more wide, 75cm to 80cm deep.

We stock straight, corner and gaming desks in a wide range of sizes at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 120cm desk big enough for two monitors?

Yes, for two 22 inch or 24 inch monitors. It will feel snug with two 27 inch screens, so a monitor arm or a wider desk is a better option for larger displays.

How deep should a desk be for two monitors?

At least 60cm, with 70cm to 80cm being more comfortable, particularly for 27 inch screens or larger.

Do monitor arms save desk space?

Yes. They lift the screens off the surface and remove bulky stand feet, freeing space for a keyboard, notebook or lamp.

Should both monitors be the same size?

Matching screens look neater and are easier to align, but a larger main screen with a smaller secondary display works well if one is used for reference.