Before you buy any monitor arm, wall bracket or stand adapter, you need to know your screen's VESA mount pattern, because that is the standardised set of screw holes the mount bolts onto. Get the pattern wrong and the bracket simply will not line up with your monitor. The good news is that checking takes under a minute and the two common sizes are easy to tell apart.

Quick Answer

VESA is the standard square screw-hole pattern on the back of a monitor, measured in millimetres between the holes. The two most common desktop sizes are 75x75mm and 100x100mm. Measure the distance between the holes before buying any mount and you will never order the wrong bracket.

What VESA actually refers to

VESA stands for the Video Electronics Standards Association, the body that defined the mounting pattern so any compliant monitor works with any compliant arm. In practice the term just means the grid of four threaded holes on the rear of your display. The number that matters is the horizontal and vertical spacing between those holes: 75x75 means the holes sit 75mm apart in both directions, 100x100 means 100mm.

Because the standard is universal, a monitor with a 100x100 pattern fits any arm rated for 100x100, regardless of brand. That is the whole point of the standard, and it is why you should never assume a mount is brand-locked.

75x75 versus 100x100: which is on your monitor

The size usually tracks with screen dimensions, though there are exceptions, so always verify rather than guess.

  • 75x75mm is common on smaller and lighter displays, often around 22 to 24 inches.
  • 100x100mm is the more widespread desktop pattern, typical on 24 to 32-inch monitors and most gaming panels.

Some larger or heavier screens use bigger patterns like 200x100 or 200x200, and a few ultrawides use no standard VESA pattern at all, which is exactly why measuring beats assuming.

How to measure in under a minute

Lay the monitor face down on a soft surface, find the four threaded holes on the back, and measure the distance from the centre of one hole to the centre of the next, horizontally and vertically. If the screen has a stand covering the holes, you may need to remove it first. Match that measurement to the mount's stated VESA rating and you are done.

When the holes do not line up

If your monitor has no visible VESA holes, or uses a non-standard pattern, a VESA adapter plate bridges the gap by clamping to the display and presenting a standard pattern to the arm. Mounts also carry a weight rating, so check that the arm or bracket is rated for your monitor's mass, not just its hole spacing. A 32-inch panel on an arm rated for a 24-inch screen will sag.

While a mount frees up desk space, a tidy workspace is a whole setup, so it is worth pairing a good arm with a desk that suits your monitor arrangement. The ergonomic desk range at Evetech covers that side of the workspace, and for gear that other buyers rate highly the desk accessories best sellers give a quick shortlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my monitor's VESA size?

Measure the distance between the centres of the four screw holes on the back of the screen, horizontally and vertically. If it is 75mm in both directions it is 75x75, if it is 100mm it is 100x100.

Are all monitor arms compatible with all monitors?

Only if the VESA patterns match and the arm is rated for the monitor's weight. A 100x100 arm fits any 100x100 monitor regardless of brand, but check the weight rating too.

What if my monitor has no VESA holes?

Use a VESA adapter plate. It clamps onto the display and provides a standard hole pattern for the arm to attach to, letting non-VESA monitors work with standard mounts.

Does the VESA size relate to screen size?

Loosely. Smaller screens often use 75x75 and most mid-size to large desktop monitors use 100x100, but it is not a strict rule. Always measure rather than guess from the screen size alone.

Is VESA the same for wall mounts and desk arms?

Yes, the pattern is the same standard whether you are using a wall bracket, a desk arm or a stand adapter. As long as the spacing matches, any VESA-compliant mount will fit.

Measured your VESA pattern? Sort out the rest of your setup at the same time and check the ergonomic desk range at Evetech so your screen mount and workspace both work for long days at the desk.