38-Inch Ultrawide Monitor Dimensions and Desk Fit
For people weighing a 38-inch ultrawide against a 34-inch ultrawide or a 32-inch 4K monitor. Its real screen size, overall footprint, what fits on it side by side, and the desk it needs.
A 38-inch ultrawide monitor actually measures 37.5 in diagonally, with a screen 34.6 in wide and 14.4 in tall (87.9 × 36.6 cm) at 3840 × 1600 pixels. Overall it is about 35.2 in (89 cm) wide and needs roughly 10 in (25 cm) of depth for its stand.
- Screen width
- 34.6 in (87.9 cm)
- Screen height
- 14.4 in (36.6 cm)
- Overall width
- about 35.2 in (89 cm)
- Resolution
- 3840 × 1600 (111 PPI)
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38-inch ultrawide screen dimensions
Every common 38-inch ultrawide uses a 37.5-inch, 3840 × 1600 panel, curved at around 2300R. Its 12:5 ratio (2.4:1) is slightly wider than the 3440 × 1440 panels in 34-inch ultrawides.
| Measurement | 37.5 in panel (actual) | 38.0 in (nominal) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen width | 34.6 in (87.9 cm) | 35.1 in (89.1 cm) |
| Screen height | 14.4 in (36.6 cm) | 14.6 in (37.1 cm) |
| Diagonal | 95.2 cm | 96.5 cm |
| Screen area | 499 sq in (3,221 cm²) | 513 sq in (3,307 cm²) |
Retail listings use both "95.2 cm" and "96.5 cm" for the same monitors. The 95.2 cm (37.5 in) figure is the measured viewable size; 38 in is the size class.
Overall size with stand
The Dell U3824DW (37.5-inch, 2300R) is a representative model:
| Dimension | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 35.2 in | 89.4 cm |
| Height with stand (lowest) | 17.5 in | 44.4 cm |
| Depth with stand | 9.9 in | 25.1 cm |
| Panel only (H × D) | 15.4 × 4.0 in | 39.2 × 10.2 cm |
| Weight with stand | 28.2 lb | 12.8 kg |
| Weight without stand | 19.4 lb | 8.79 kg |
The 2300R curve is gentle. Over a 34.6 in screen it brings the edges forward about 1.7 in (42 mm) and reduces the straight-line width to 34.4 in (874 mm). Viewed from 28 in, the edges are 12% farther from your eyes than the center, compared with 18% on a flat panel of the same width.
What fits on a 3840 × 1600 screen
The 38-inch ultrawide is easiest to understand as a 4K monitor with the top and bottom trimmed off: it has the full 3840-pixel width of 4K UHD and 1600 of its 2160 rows, at a lower density that runs well at 100% scaling.
- Two windows side by side: 1920 × 1600 each. Every half is as wide as a full 1080p screen and 48% taller.
- Three columns: 1280 × 1600 each, enough for code, a browser and a terminal or chat.
- 16:9 video: shown at 2844 × 1600 in the center with black bars about 500 pixels wide at each side. The picture is about 25.6 in wide, the size of a 29.4-inch 16:9 monitor.
- 2.39:1 films fill the screen almost exactly.
- Gaming: 3840 × 1600 is 6.1 million pixels, 74% of the load of 4K and 67% more than 1440p.
38-inch vs 34-inch ultrawide and 32-inch 4K
| Monitor | Screen (in) | Screen (cm) | Resolution | PPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34-inch ultrawide | 31.4 × 13.1 | 79.7 × 33.3 | 3440 × 1440 | 110 |
| 38-inch ultrawide (37.5 in) | 34.6 × 14.4 | 87.9 × 36.6 | 3840 × 1600 | 111 |
| 40-inch ultrawide (39.7 in) | 36.6 × 15.4 | 92.9 × 39.2 | 5120 × 2160 | 140 |
| 32-inch 4K (31.5 in) | 27.5 × 15.4 | 69.7 × 39.2 | 3840 × 2160 | 140 |
- Against the 34-inch: 3.2 in wider and 1.3 in taller, with 21% more screen area and 24% more pixels at the same text size. The extra height is the main gain: 160 more rows of a spreadsheet or timeline. The overall monitor is about 3 in wider. See the 34-inch ultrawide guide.
- Against a 32-inch 4K: 7.1 in wider but 1.0 in shorter. The 4K screen has 35% more pixels and sharper text; the ultrawide shows more side by side without scaling. See the 32-inch monitor guide.
- Against the 40-inch 5120 × 2160: the 40-inch is 2 in wider and 1 in taller with 140 PPI text, but usually runs at 125 to 150% scaling, which gives a similar workspace to the 38-inch.
For the widest single screen, the 49-inch super-ultrawide adds another 12.6 in of width but is 1.1 in shorter than a 38-inch.
Desk size and viewing distance
- Desk width: the monitor is 35.2 in wide. A 48 in (122 cm) desk leaves about 6 in each side; 55 in (140 cm) or wider leaves room for speakers.
- Desk depth: 30 in (76 cm) is the comfortable minimum. The stand uses about 10 in, and a viewing distance of 30 to 36 in (75 to 90 cm) keeps the whole screen in view, near the far end of OSHA's 20 to 40 in range.
- Height: set the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level. The panel is 15.4 in tall overall, and the U3824DW's stand at its lowest puts the top edge 17.5 in (44 cm) above the desk, so measure your seated eye height above the desk before choosing a stand position or an arm.
- Mounting: VESA 100 × 100 mm. At 19.4 lb for the panel, standard arms rated to 25 lb carry it, but check that the arm supports screens of this width; some are rated only up to 34 inches.
Desk sizes are listed in the desk dimensions guide, and all monitor sizes in the monitor size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What resolution is a 38-inch ultrawide monitor?
Almost all are 3840 × 1600, usually labeled WQHD+. That is the same width as 4K UHD with 1600 rows instead of 2160, an aspect ratio of 12:5 (2.4:1), and 111 pixels per inch on a 37.5-inch panel.
How heavy is a 38-inch ultrawide?
The Dell U3824DW weighs 8.79 kg (19.4 lb) without its stand and 12.8 kg (28.2 lb) with it. Check that a monitor arm is rated for the panel weight and for a curved screen about 35 in wide.
Is a 38-inch ultrawide good for gaming?
Yes, if the game supports 3840 × 1600. It needs about 74% of the graphics power of 4K and far more than a 1440p monitor. Office models such as the Dell U3824DW run at 60 Hz, so check the refresh rate if gaming matters.
Will a 38-inch ultrawide fit on a 48-inch desk?
Yes. At about 35.2 in wide it leaves roughly 6 in on each side of a 48 in (122 cm) desk. Depth matters more: allow 30 in (76 cm) so you can sit 30 in or more from the screen.
Is a 38-inch monitor bigger than a 40-inch ultrawide?
No. 40-inch class ultrawides (39.7 in, 5120 × 2160) are about 36.6 × 15.4 in, 2.0 in wider and 1.0 in taller than a 38-inch, with sharper 140 PPI text.