The Monitor

Monitor Position

• Monitors that swivel horizontally and tilt allow you to adjust for the best viewing angle. Tilt the monitor screen slightly to accommodate your line of sight. Mounting a monitor on an adjustable arm allows movement in all directions and frees up workstation space.
• For comfortable head and neck placement, position your monitor screen to allow you to gaze slightly down to view the center of the screen ( do not bend your neck down more than 15°).
• Adjust the height of your monitor to allow you to gaze slightly down to view the center of the screen.
  • If your monitor is too low, place it on a stable box or monitor stand.
  • If your monitor is too high, adjusting your desk surface and chair (and adding a footrest if necessary) doesn't help, consider replacing it with a smaller monitor.
  • If you wear bifocals, you might want your monitor positioned lower.

Eye to Screen Distance

• The user-preferred viewing distances (between your eye and the screen or source document) are normally greater than typical workstations can accommodate - 24" to 34" (61 to 86.5 cm) - because desk depth is often too short for deep monitors. Flat display screens or keyboard extensions can allow for proper distance.
• To reduce strain on your muscles, keep your monitor screen at least 16" (41 cm) from your eyes (or farther away than you might hold a book).

Character Display

• The monitor should be large enough to display a sizable amount of information.
• The screen characters should be clear and easy to read with no perceptible flicker or waiver. If characters are difficult to read:
  • Clean/dust the screen.
  • Adjust the magnification or font in the software application.
  • Adjust brightness and contrast.
  • Reduce sources of glare.
• Geometric designs of letters and symbols should not be distorted or appear to melt together.

Source: Creating the Ideal Computer Workstation: A Step-by-Step Guide - United States Department of Defense, June, 2000.