Sizes in web design

4silverstrea · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 01:00 PM

What are the most popular dimensions for web page designs today? Some say 800x600...what are the next dimension pages up from that?

Thanks in advance.

thindenim · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 02:34 PM

Up until a couple of months ago I stuck with 800 x 600, but I think around 90% of people now have 1024 x 768 or above. Also, major sites (i.e. BBC - Homepage) are moving over to 1024, so this will help to force the remaining 10% to upgrade.

With this in mind I am now designing in 1024 x 768 as a minimum resolution.

Dubbya · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 05:25 PM

While 1024x768 is the screen resolution most commonly designed for right now, the maximum recommended "safe width" for web pages is about 960 pixels and the "safe height" is about 550 pixels.

Designing at these dimensions should accommodate all browsers regardless of the vertical scrollbars, extra toolbars, status bars and everything else which might be considered "browser chrome".

thindenim · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 06:05 PM

yes, dubbya is correct - I use 960/970 to allow for scroll bar. Likewise when I designed for 800 x 600, the maximum width I used was 770.

jScott_Harris · #5 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 04:15 PM

you can always use javascript to detect the screen size and display the correct html

mtheory · #6 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 12:57 PM

I've given up on desiging to accomodate screen resolutions and gone liquid.

Widescreens are becoming more common and the standardization of digital tv for the US in Feb 2009 is going to create all kinds of technology crossovers where internet will be viewed on big screens so I want to be ready for all that (screen) real estate.

The design trends are also leaning towards people "experiencing" websites rather than simply reading them, so scrollong below the fold is becoming less desirable as sites should be more dimensional as opposed to linear.

Anyone else for a "can of worms"?