Hi All,

 

I'm currently in the process of redesigning my website, and I am conducting some research into optimum widths for website layouts, and what width people leave their browsers at.

 

I have compiled a few basic tests to see what widths are optimum.

 

What I would like you to do is open the links I will provide below, and report back here with a "Yes" if you can see the number of darker red columns listed next to the link, or "No" if some are hidden/chopped off.

 

This is the important part. Could you please do this without changing the width of your browser from what it is when you normally open a new link/from the width you normally browse at. My main interest is in the width people leave their browsers in, so please don't change the width and report back that you could see it all

 

1: Test 1 - all 8 of the dark red columns

2: Test 2 - all 6 of the dark red columns

3: Test 3 - all 8 of the dark red columns

 

 

[update] Rachael reminded me of another point: could everyone also state if they (normally) run the browser in full screen or not. This test is only as good as your results, so I remind you, please don't resize your browser from the size you normally have it at.

 

 

Thank you,

Rob

1: Test 1 - all 8 of the dark red columns YES

2: Test 2 - all 6 of the dark red columns YES

3: Test 3 - all 8 of the dark red columns YES

 

Browsing at 1024x768 with 1280x1024 screen res, Firefox 2*

Excellent, thank you!

 

May I ask how you found out the exact dimensions of your browser?

 

The results from this experiment will be quite interesting.

In FireFox under Vista. Screen 1280 * 800 (Widescreen Laptop)

 

 

Test No.

1. yes
   
2. yes
   
3. yes
   

How about checking out the formal web statistics at W3Schools - specifically Browser Display Statistics, which will give you a larger sample.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately that is just display resolutions; I'm more concerned with the actual width of the browser window.

 

I've only had 1 visitor to my site so far who has been using 800x600, so I've already decided I won't be supporting that resolution.

YES! YES! YES!

 

No, that's not me having an orgasm. That's me seeing all your columns.

 

Windows Vista. 1280*768. Maximised FF2.

 

What you should do is test screen *height*. That'd be an interesting one...

Damn, and here I was thinking my grids were orgasmic!

 

Thanks for the results Rachael.

 

You reminded me of another point: could everyone also state if they (normally) run the browser in full screen or not. This test is only as good as your results, so I remind you, please don't resize your browser from what you normally use.

 

Rachael - It's not about length, it's all about the width

May I ask how you found out the exact dimensions of your browser?

 

That's how it was when I visited the forum. I know the dimensions because I previously used the Firefox web dev toolbar resize widget to check something i was working on

Rachael - It's not about length, it's all about the width

 

there you Rach, you'll find out the difference one day

Yes to all three.Am running FF2.something on Xp @ 1680 x 1050, but not full window, only 1280 x 1024.

 

Useful article here might help.

Yep to all three, running Vista Business with a screen res of 1024 x768. Think about including analytics on your website - it will show you what browser sizes your visitors are using.

YES! YES! YES!

 

No, that's not me having an orgasm. That's me seeing all your columns.

 

Windows Vista. 1280*768. Maximised FF2.

 

What you should do is test screen *height*. That'd be an interesting one...

epic...

 

Screen res 1680*1050

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Fullscreen

Yes to all three.Am running FF2.something on Xp @ 1680 x 1050, but not full window, only 1280 x 1024.

 

Useful article here might help.

 

Excellent article, it will help alot - thanks!

 

I'd also like to thank everyone else who has submitted the results so far, keep em coming

i found this site helpful..

 

http://browsersize.com/

yes

yes

yes

 

thats one day from one of my sites

 

 

1024x768

787 46.13%

2.

1280x800

355 20.81%

3.

1280x1024

210 12.31%

4.

1440x900

100 5.86%

5.

800x600

87 5.10%

6.

1680x1050

40 2.34%

7.

1152x864

36 2.11%

8.

1280x768

19 1.11%

9.

1920x1200

14 0.82%

10.

1280x960

11 0.64%

Thanks for the statistics, they look like screen resolutions though, not browser size.

 

Rob

it's three YES's from me. Running firefox in full screen mode on a standard PC monitor.

it's all good with me....From Firefox under xp 1152x864 screen res

hope this useful

Yes to all three. Full-screen, 1024x7... whatever it is.

The results are coming in thick and fast, thanks everyone!

 

Keep em coming!

 

Rob

Firefox - Full screen 1680x1050

 

1. A'OK

2. A'OK

3. A'OK

Yes for all three for me.

 

I never run my browser in full screen when surfing.

Excellent, thanks again everyone. The stats are really helping my design choices!

Yes, Yes and Yes

 

Screen res is 1280x1024 and I either run fullscreen or fullscreen but with the flock sidebar, yes to all 3 with both.