How to Set Up a Vertical Monitor With a Monitor Arm

To set up a vertical monitor with a monitor arm, mount the screen to the arm's VESA plate, rotate it 90 degrees, then set the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level and switch the display to portrait in your operating system. Any arm with 360° rotation and a weight range that covers your monitor can do it.

A vertical, or portrait, monitor shows long documents, code, chat and feeds without constant scrolling. Paired with a landscape screen, it gives you one wide display for the main task and one tall display for reference. A monitor arm is the most direct way to get there, because most stock stands do not rotate.

Can any monitor arm hold a vertical monitor?

Most full-motion arms can, as long as three things line up.

Rotation. The arm's VESA plate needs to rotate at least 90 degrees. Both Lifelong arms rotate each screen independently; the QUARX heavy-duty arms rotate a full 360°.

VESA pattern. Check the four screw holes on the back of the monitor. Lifelong arms support 75 × 75 mm and 100 × 100 mm.

Weight and size. The Lifelong Dual Monitor Arm is designed for two 17–32-inch monitors. The QUARX supports 17–35-inch screens at 4.4 to 26.4 lbs per arm. Our VESA and desk compatibility checklist covers every measurement.

Which monitors suit portrait mode?

Standard 16:9 monitors from 22 to 27 inches are the usual choice. In portrait, a 24-inch 16:9 screen stands about 21 inches tall and a 27-inch about 23.5 inches tall, so check the clearance under shelves or a window sill before you rotate.

Ultrawide and strongly curved monitors are built for landscape. Turned on end, they become very tall and the curve bends the wrong way. Keep those horizontal; see can a monitor arm hold an ultrawide monitor for mounting them.

Viewing angles also matter. Some panels shift colour or contrast when viewed from the side, and in portrait the "side" becomes top and bottom. If you can, look at the monitor turned on end before committing.

How do you rotate a monitor to vertical on an arm?

1. Mount it in landscape first. Attach the VESA plate to the monitor, hang the monitor on the arm and tighten the screws per the installation guide.

2. Raise it before rotating. Lift the screen high enough that the corners clear the desk as it turns. While a 27-inch monitor rotates, its corners sweep about 7 inches lower than its bottom edge sits in landscape.

3. Rotate 90 degrees. Turn the screen with both hands on its edges. Check which way your monitor's ports and buttons end up; many people prefer the ports on the side nearest the arm so cables run straight down.

4. Set the height. Adjust so the top of the screen sits at or slightly below eye level.

5. Re-check tension. Rotating does not change the monitor's weight, but it changes where the center of gravity sits. If the screen drifts up or down, adjust the arm's tension. Our guide to fixing a sagging monitor arm explains how.

Where should a vertical monitor sit for comfortable viewing?

The same rules apply as for any screen, with one difference: a portrait screen is much taller, so more of it sits below your line of sight.

The OSHA computer workstations eTool recommends the top line of the screen at or slightly below eye level and a viewing distance of 20 to 40 inches. For a tall portrait screen, that means the bottom edge sits well below your eyes. A slight backward tilt keeps the whole screen at a similar distance from your eyes, which makes reading the bottom lines more comfortable.

In a two-screen setup, put the screen you use most directly in front of you and the portrait screen to one side, angled inward. If you use both equally, center the pair on the seam between them. Our single vs dual monitor arm comparison covers when one arm or two makes more sense.

How do you switch the display to portrait mode?

Windows: open Settings, then System, then Display. Select the monitor, and under Display orientation choose Portrait (or Portrait, flipped if the image is upside down).

macOS: open System Settings, then Displays. Select the monitor and set Rotation to 90° or 270°.

Some monitors also have an auto-rotate setting in their on-screen menu. Turn it off if the image flips while you are adjusting the arm.

What about cables?

Rotation moves the ports. Leave enough slack in each cable for a full quarter turn before clipping it into the arm's cable management. Both Lifelong arms route cables along the arms, which keeps a portrait screen's cables from hanging loose behind the desk.

Compare both models in our monitor arms collection, or see the Lifelong Dual Monitor Arm Mount for a landscape-plus-portrait setup with two 17–32-inch screens.

FAQ

Can I rotate a monitor without a monitor arm?

Only if the stock stand has a pivot feature. Many don't. A VESA monitor arm adds rotation to any compatible monitor.

What size monitor is good for vertical use?

Most people use 22–27-inch 16:9 monitors in portrait. Larger screens become very tall, and ultrawides are not suited to it.

Do I need to re-adjust the arm after rotating?

Often only slightly. Check that the screen holds its height and adjust the tension if it drifts.

Is a vertical monitor good for coding and reading?

Many people find it useful for long documents, code and chat, because more lines fit on screen without scrolling.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have ongoing pain, talk to a doctor or physical therapist.