How far away should you sit from your computer monitor or laptop?
Don't have your monitor sitting just anywhere; the distance, tilt and angles are all important to avoid strain while working.
Once you have the right distance, there are a few other elements to consider. The monitor should be positioned front and center, so you're facing forward while viewing it. It also needs to be at eye level, with laptop viewing angles commonly being too low for many people. Position the top of the monitor either at or slightly below your eye level, with the middle of the screen 15-20 degrees below your eye level. You can adjust your chair or desk (if either is height-adjustable) to accommodate this, or use an accessory like a laptop riser. As you adjust the chair to accommodate the right height, make sure your feet can still sit flat on the floor.
If you wear bifocals, which require you to look through the bottom portion of your glasses to see close-up, you'll want to lower the monitor a little more to compensate. Also, you should tilt the screen back anywhere from 10-20 degrees, or up to 30-45 degrees if you wear bifocals. Don't forget to adjust the screen's brightness so it's not overly intense on your eyes, or use an anti-glare screen filter if the monitor doesn't already have this technology built in.
It's worth noting that these rules also apply if you have a multi-monitor setup. Tons of great monitors are available if you're looking to add another display.
