The Ergonomics of Multi-Monitor Remote Setups for Your Eyes

A second monitor is one of the best productivity upgrades, but a badly arranged setup trades time saved for sore eyes and a stiff neck. A few measurements make a big difference.

Put your main screen straight ahead

Decide which screen you use most and center it in front of your keyboard. The secondary screen goes to the side you turn to most. If you use both equally, center the point where they meet in front of you and angle them in slightly, like a shallow V.

Distance and height

• Distance: about an arm's length away, roughly 20 to 30 inches (50 to 75 cm). Larger screens can sit a little further back.
• Height: the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level, so you look slightly down at the center. If you wear bifocals or progressives, go lower.
• Same height for both screens, so your eyes and neck don't adjust every time you switch.

Angle and glare

• Angle side monitors toward you so you aren't reading them at a slant.
• Place screens side-on to windows, not facing or backing onto them, to avoid glare and a bright background behind the screen.
• Tilt screens back slightly to reduce overhead light reflections.

Match brightness and color

Two screens with different brightness or color temperature make your eyes readjust with every glance. Match their brightness to each other and to the room. In the evening, apply the same warm setting to both, through your operating system's night mode or, in Chrome, Blue Light Filter.

Give your eyes breaks

More screens means more screen time. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and get up once an hour. Here's how well the 20-20-20 rule works.