It’s not just about distance; height and tilt matter too. Whether you work from home or at the office, a proper setup includes an organized desk, comfortable chair, proper lighting, and useful accessories. Once you have the gear, position everything for the best ergonomic experience. This includes having your display at eye level and the proper distance from your face. The simplest guidance is the arm's length rule: stretch out your arm and position the monitor so your fingers touch the screen.

The ideal distance between your eyes and monitor is 20-28 inches. OSHA recommends 20-28 inches for 24-inch displays. For 27-inch monitors, increase to 24-32 inches. For 32 inches or larger, sit 34-38 inches away. Higher resolutions let you sit closer without seeing pixels. For laptops, use a separate keyboard and mouse to maintain arm's length.

Once you have the right distance, consider other elements. Position the monitor front and center, at eye level. The top should be at or slightly below eye level, with the middle 15-20 degrees below. Adjust your chair or desk, or use a laptop riser. Keep feet flat on the floor. If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor more and tilt it back 30-45 degrees. Adjust brightness and use an anti-glare filter if needed. These rules apply to multi-monitor setups too.