11.6-Inch Laptop Dimensions: Chromebooks and Small Laptops
Almost every 11.6-inch laptop sold today is a school Chromebook or education laptop. Here are their real dimensions, the screen size, and what to know before buying a case or comparing one with a tablet or a 13-inch laptop.
An 11.6-inch laptop measures about 11.3–11.9 × 7.9–8.1 in (28.7–30.1 × 20–20.6 cm), 0.7–0.85 in (1.9–2.1 cm) thick, and weighs 2.7–3 lb (1.2–1.35 kg). The screen is 29.5 cm diagonal and measures 10.1 × 5.7 in (25.7 × 14.4 cm).
- Typical body
- 29 × 20.5 cm
- Screen diagonal
- 29.5 cm
- Screen W × H
- 25.7 × 14.4 cm
- Weight
- 1.2–1.35 kg
On this page
11.6-inch laptop dimensions in inches and cm
Those ranges come from the three most widely bought 11.6-inch education laptops below, including the convertible (2-in-1) version of the Dell, which is the thickest and heaviest of the group.
| Model | W × D × H (cm) | W × D × H (in) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo 100e Chromebook Gen 4 | 28.7 × 20.0–20.5 × 1.86 | 11.3 × 7.9–8.1 × 0.73 | 1.23 kg 2.7 lb |
| Acer Chromebook 311 (C723) | 29.6 × 20.6 × 2.06 | 11.65 × 8.11 × 0.81 | 1.35 kg 3.0 lb |
| Dell Latitude 3140 (laptop) | 30.1 × 20.5 × 2.09 | 11.85 × 8.07 × 0.82 | 1.35 kg 3.0 lb |
| Dell Latitude 3140 (2-in-1 flip) | 30.1 × 20.5 × 2.14 | 11.85 × 8.07 × 0.84 | 1.42 kg 3.1 lb |
Depth is nearly identical across brands at about 20.5 cm; width varies by 1.4 cm, mostly because of how much bumper the case has around the screen. The Lenovo's depth is listed as 20 cm for its MediaTek version and 20.5 cm for its Intel version.
11.6-inch screen size
Every current 11.6-inch laptop uses a 16:9 panel. Its dimensions follow directly from the diagonal:
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal | 11.6 | 29.5 |
| Width | 10.1 | 25.7 |
| Height | 5.7 | 14.4 |
| Area | 57.5 sq in | 371 cm² |
Nearly all are 1366 × 768 pixels, or 135 pixels per inch. The screen is short: at 14.4 cm tall it is 3.5 cm shorter than a 13.3-inch 16:10 screen, so you scroll far more when reading documents and web pages. That matters more for daily use than the 3 cm difference in width.
Why 11.6-inch laptops are thicker than 13-inch ones
An 11.6-inch Chromebook is about the same footprint as a current 13-inch laptop but often up to 1 cm thicker, and usually heavier. The reason is the job it does.
- Bumpers and reinforced corners: education models have rubberized edges and raised bezels that absorb drops, adding width around a small screen.
- Spill-resistant keyboards and sturdier hinges add depth and weight.
- Plastic shells are thicker than the aluminum used in thin 13-inch laptops, for the same stiffness.
For comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Neo is 29.8 × 20.6 × 1.3 cm and 1.23 kg, which matches the Acer Chromebook 311's footprint almost exactly but is 0.8 cm thinner. The 13-inch laptop dimensions page lists more models in that class.
11.6-inch laptop vs 11-inch tablet and 13-inch laptop
| 11-inch tablet (iPad Air 11) | 11.6-inch laptop | 13.3-inch laptop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footprint | 24.8 × 17.9 cm | 28.7–30.1 × 20.0–20.6 cm | 29.8–30.4 × 20.7–21.2 cm |
| Thickness | 0.6 cm | 1.9–2.1 cm | 1.3–1.8 cm |
| Weight | 0.46 kg without keyboard | 1.23–1.42 kg | 0.93–1.29 kg |
| Screen area | about 55 sq in | 57.5 sq in | 80 sq in 16:10 |
An 11-inch tablet with a keyboard case gives almost the same screen area in a smaller package; see the 11-inch tablet dimensions. A 13.3-inch laptop gives 39% more screen for the same footprint. The 11.6-inch laptop's advantages are price and durability, not size. The step in between, 12.5 inches, is covered on the 12.5-inch laptop page, and every size is compared in the laptop sizes chart.
Cases, sleeves and school bags for an 11.6-inch laptop
- Find the model's exact size. The model name is on the label under the laptop. Education models from different brands vary by up to 1.4 cm in width.
- Add about 1 cm to width and depth. For a 30.1 × 20.5 cm Dell Latitude 3140, the sleeve interior should be about 31 × 21.5 cm (12.2 × 8.5 in).
- Allow for thickness. At 2 to 2.1 cm, these laptops are thicker than the ultrabooks many slim sleeves are cut for. A sleeve with a zip gusset or an interior thickness of 2.5 cm or more avoids strain on the zipper.
- Check the backpack compartment. A backpack's laptop sleeve needs to be at least 30 to 31 cm wide and 21 to 21.5 cm tall inside. Sleeves labeled for 13-inch or larger laptops usually are; compare the listed size with your laptop.
Schools often issue Chromebooks in hard-shell or bumper cases, which make them larger and thicker. Measure the laptop in its case before buying a bag or sleeve. The backpack size guide covers capacity and fit for children's backpacks, and the laptop bag size guide covers sleeves and messenger bags.
Frequently asked questions
What is the overall size of a laptop with an 11.6-inch screen?
About 28.7 to 30.1 cm wide and 20 to 20.6 cm deep (11.3 to 11.9 × 7.9 to 8.1 in), and around 2 cm thick. Education models are thicker and heavier than consumer laptops of the same screen size because of their reinforced cases.
Is an 11.6-inch laptop the same as an 11-inch laptop?
In practice, yes. Laptops described as 11-inch almost always have an 11.6-inch screen. Apple's discontinued 11-inch MacBook Air also used an 11.6-inch panel, in a body of 30 × 19.2 cm (11.8 × 7.56 in) and 1.08 kg (2.38 lb).
What is 11.6 inches in cm?
11.6 in × 2.54 = 29.46 cm, so spec sheets list the screen as 29.5 cm. That is the diagonal; the screen is 25.7 cm wide and 14.4 cm tall.
Will an 11.6-inch laptop fit in a 12-inch or 13-inch sleeve?
Often, but check the inside measurements. An 11.6-inch Chromebook needs an interior of about 30 to 31 × 21 to 21.5 cm. Sleeves for 13-inch laptops are usually large enough, but the laptop may slide around in one; 12-inch sleeves vary too much to assume a fit.
What resolution is an 11.6-inch laptop screen?
Most have 1366 × 768 pixels (135 ppi). A few premium models offered 1920 × 1080 (190 ppi). At 1366 × 768, a web page at 100% zoom shows noticeably less content than on a full HD 13 or 14-inch laptop.