Browser Size — Actual Numbers

I asked for numbers confirming my thoughts recently in “Design for Browser Size — Not Screen Size“.

First Jakob Skjerning (mentalized.net), and now Thomas Baekdal published his preliminary results. Great to see some thorough work done in this highly important area where pretty much no stat tool or measuring service have ever been.

For years we have seen statistics telling us the size of people’s screens. We know that 1024×768 is the dominant screen size, and that large resolution screens are coming.

But, this is useless information. We do not want to know the size of a person’s screen. We want to know the size of the browser’s content area. A person might not use the browser maximized, and other elements – taskbar, toolbars and extensions – takes up valuable screen space.

From Thomas Baekdal: Actual Browser Sizes – Preview

The conclusion (although it’s preliminary) is clear:

The actual browser size and percentage graphs clearly show that a vast majority of people use they browser maximized (or very close to maximized).

98% of the width is more or less the same as the full width of the browser without the scrollbars. 78% of the height is about the size of the full height without the toolbars, taskbar etc.

This pretty much destroys the myth that many people browse the net in a smaller window.

This is another conclusion than mine and Jakob Nielsen: “people with big screens rarely maximize”. However, nice to see some actual statistics here. Keep it coming!

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4 Responses to “Browser Size — Actual Numbers”

  1. Bildschrimaufl�sung anpassen - Javascript @ tutorials.de: Forum - Tutorials - Hilfe - Schulung Says:

    […] AW: Bildschrimaufl�sung anpassen Die Bildschirmaufl�sung eines Benutzers ist eigentlich v�llig irrelevant. Denn diese sagt nichts �ber die Fenstergr��e aus, welche wiederum nichts �ber die tats�chliche Gr��e des Darstellungsfelds des Browsers aussagt. Doch letzterer Wert l�sst sich auch ermitteln. Lies dir mal „Browser Size“ von Jesper R�nn-Jensen sowie „The importance of window-width“ von Simon Collison durch. Letzterer hat diese Thematik �brigens auch in seinem Layout verwedet, sodass die dritte Spalte nur bei ausreichend Platz eingeblendet wird. __________________ Markus Wulftange�Simple is good. Simplier is better.� Heute im Angebot: �Daring Fireball� T-Shirt […]

  2. Thomas Baekdal Says:

    Jesper, Thanks for the link.

    I just want to point out that I am not actually saying that “people with big screens rarely maximize”. What I am saying is that in general terms people browse maximized.

    It might very well be that the few people who browse above 1600px do so differently than everyone else.

    (We will see in November when the final report is done)

  3. Piotr Says:

    Funny thing with the browser size things….

    I think its more a issue needing to be communicated to the “outside” of the web-develompment & expert society, than with in it.

    Most of us have tried and erroed the 800×600 design, by not having it fit the browser.. The big issue is that the decision makers have not. The don´t always seem to understand that just because someone told them about 1024×768, that is not the area usable by the web page itself…

    Just like trying to convince them not to use millions of $ for SEO, when their website leaks visitors like bucket shot to sh**t with a assault shotgun.
    They don’t seem to get it … yet.

  4. Autocamp Split Says:

    I have 24 inch display and I never maximize the one window. On 1920*1200 resolution I can open 2 windows and see both content. Most of the today websites are developed to be seen on 1024*768.