What is VESA? How to Find Your TV or Monitor's VESA Mounting Pattern

If you're shopping for a TV wall mount or monitor stand, you'll probably encounter the term "VESA." Knowing your VESA mounting pattern is one of the easiest ways to determine whether a mount will fit your screen.

So what exactly is VESA, and how do you find your TV or monitor's VESA size?

What Does VESA Mean?

VESA stands for the Video Electronics Standards Association. Among other standards, the organization established mounting specifications that allow compatible TVs, monitors, and mounting hardware to work together.

On many TVs and monitors, you'll find four threaded mounting holes on the back of the display. The horizontal and vertical distance between these holes is known as the VESA mounting pattern.

VESA patterns are measured in millimeters. For example, a VESA pattern of 400 x 400 mm means the mounting holes are 400 millimeters apart horizontally and 400 millimeters apart vertically.

This standardized system makes it possible to pair a display with compatible TV wall mounts, desktop monitor mounts and stands, monitor floor stands, and other mounting solutions without necessarily buying a mount from the display manufacturer.

How Do I Find My TV's VESA Mounting Pattern?

The easiest method is to check the specifications in your TV or monitor manual or on the manufacturer's website. Look for "VESA," "mounting pattern," or "mounting interface."

Can't find it? Measure it yourself.

Locate the four mounting holes on the back of the display. Measure from the center of the upper-left hole to the center of the upper-right hole. That's the horizontal measurement.

Next, measure from the center of an upper hole to the center of the corresponding lower hole. That's the vertical measurement.

Measure in millimeters and write the horizontal number first.

For example, if the holes are 400 mm apart horizontally and 200 mm apart vertically, your VESA mounting pattern is 400 x 200 mm.

Does Matching the VESA Pattern Guarantee a Mount Will Fit?

No. This is an important distinction.

VESA compatibility tells you whether the mounting-hole configurations are compatible. You still need to check the mount's weight capacity, supported screen sizes, hardware requirements, and installation specifications.

A 65-inch TV and a much smaller screen could theoretically use mounting patterns supported by the same mount while having very different weights and installation requirements.

Once you've confirmed compatibility, you can choose the mounting style that suits your space. A low-profile TV wall mount keeps the display close to the wall, while tilting mounts allow vertical angle adjustment. Articulating, swing-out mounts provide greater flexibility when you need to extend or swivel the screen.

For locations without a suitable wall, ceiling TV mounts and TV stands with mounts offer alternatives.

Know Your VESA Size Before You Shop

Finding your VESA mounting pattern takes only a few minutes, but it can eliminate a lot of guesswork.

Remember the basic formula: horizontal hole spacing x vertical hole spacing, measured center-to-center in millimeters.

Combine that measurement with your screen's size and weight, and you'll have the key information needed to start searching for a compatible universal TV mount or monitor mounting solution.