Screen Resolution Testing Guide 2024

Discover essential screen resolution testing strategies for 2024 to ensure your website is responsive and user-friendly across all devices.

Web Development
Oct 16, 2024
Screen Resolution Testing Guide 2024

Here’s what you need to know about screen resolution testing in 2024:

  • It’s crucial for ensuring websites look good and work well on all devices
  • Covers desktop, mobile, and tablet resolutions
  • Key focus areas: layout, content alignment, menus, buttons, images, and text readability
  • Important to test across different browsers and device orientations

Quick guide to effective testing:

  1. Set up a testing environment with various devices and browsers
  2. Create a test plan covering all aspects of your site
  3. Use tools like Hoverify for efficient multi-device testing
  4. Check common breakpoints and adjust layouts accordingly
  5. Pay attention to responsive images and flexible sizing units
  6. Automate tests where possible to save time
AspectDesktopMobileTablet
Top Resolutions1920x1080, 1366x768360x800, 390x844768x1024, 810x1080
Key ConcernsLarge screen layoutTouch-friendly UI, readabilityDual orientation support
Testing FocusContent scaling, sidebarsMenu accessibility, button sizeLayout transitions

Remember: Mobile-first design, flexible sizing units, and CSS media queries are your best friends for creating responsive websites that work across all screen resolutions.

Screen resolutions explained

In 2024, screen resolution testing is tricky. Here’s what you need to know:

Common screen sizes in 2024

Most popular resolutions:

Device TypeTop Resolutions
Desktop1920x1080, 1366x768, 1536x864
Mobile360x800, 390x844, 393x873
Tablet768x1024, 810x1080, 820x1180

Mobile devices now make up 61.74% of worldwide market share. So, focus on those resolutions.

Physical vs CSS pixels

Physical pixels? What you see on the screen. CSS pixels? What developers use.

The difference:

  • Physical pixels: Actual screen dots
  • CSS pixels: Web design units

Take the iPhone 6. It has 1334x750 physical pixels, but its CSS resolution is 667x375. Why? Its device pixel ratio is 2.

How device pixel ratio affects testing

Device Pixel Ratio (DPR) is physical pixels per CSS pixel. It’s crucial for sharp images on high-density screens.

Examples:

  • iPhone 6: DPR of 2 (2 physical pixels for 1 CSS pixel)
  • Samsung Galaxy S8+: DPR of 4 (4 physical pixels for 1 CSS pixel)

So, a 200x200 CSS pixel image becomes:

  • 400x400 physical pixels on an iPhone 6
  • 800x800 physical pixels on a Galaxy S8+

When testing, remember:

  • Use CSS pixels for layout
  • Provide high-res images for high DPR devices
  • Test your site across different DPRs

Getting ready for testing

To test screen resolutions effectively, you need the right setup and plan. Here’s how:

Setting up your testing space

You’ll need:

  • A computer with current browsers
  • Mobile devices (phones and tablets)
  • Good internet

For desktop testing, use Chrome’s DevTools:

  1. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu
  2. Go to More Tools > Developer Tools
  3. Click the Device Toolbar icon
  4. Pick a device or set a custom resolution

Picking devices and browsers

Choose devices your audience uses:

Device TypeTop Picks for 2024
AndroidSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro
iOSiPhone 15, iPad Pro
DesktopWindows PC, MacBook Pro

Focus on these browsers:

Making a test plan

Your plan should cover:

  1. What to test

  2. When to test

  3. Goals

  4. Outputs (like bug reports)

  5. How to test

  6. Setup and data needed

Using Hoverify for resolution testing

Hoverify

Hoverify is a browser extension that makes screen resolution testing a breeze. It’s a 6-in-1 tool that works with Firefox, Chrome, Brave, and Edge.

Hoverify’s main testing features

Here’s what Hoverify brings to the table:

FeatureWhat it does
Responsive toolShows your site on different devices, portrait or landscape
InspectorLets you peek at HTML and CSS
Color EyedropperGrabs color codes from web pages
Assets extractionPulls images and other stuff from sites
Debugging toolsHelps you spot and fix website issues
Built With infoTells you what tech a site uses
CaptureTakes screenshots

How to test with Hoverify

Want to give Hoverify a spin? Here’s how:

  1. Install Hoverify on your browser
  2. Open your target web page
  3. Click the Hoverify icon
  4. Pick “Responsive”
  5. Choose a device or set a custom size
  6. Check out your site at different sizes
  7. Use the inspector to tweak CSS
  8. Flip between portrait and landscape

Hoverify lets you set up specific sizes and see your site on multiple devices at once. No more switching views one by one!

Need to make quick changes? Hoverify’s got you covered. Adjust fonts, align images, resize buttons, add animations, hide stuff, or change background colors - all in the responsive tool.

Hoverify costs $30 a year for three browsers. Not sure? They offer a 14-day refund.

Step-by-step resolution testing guide

Here’s how to test your website across different screen resolutions:

Finding breakpoints

Start with these common breakpoints:

DeviceWidth (pixels)
Desktop1200+
Laptop992-1199
Tablet (landscape)768-991
Tablet (portrait)480-767
Smartphone (landscape)320-479
Smartphone (portrait)Below 320

Adjust these based on your design needs.

Checking layout and content alignment

  1. Open your site in Chrome
  2. Right-click and select ‘Inspect’
  3. Click the Device Toolbar icon
  4. Select device presets or set custom dimensions
  5. Check that:
    • Content fits the viewport
    • Text wraps properly
    • Images scale correctly
    • Sidebars collapse or move as needed

Testing menus and buttons

Make sure your navigation works on all sizes:

  • Can users easily access and use menus?
  • Do dropdown menus fit on the screen?
  • Are buttons big enough for mobile (44x44 pixels minimum)?
  • Do hover states work on desktop and taps work on mobile?

Testing images and videos

Don’t let media break your responsive design:

  • Use max-width: 100% to make images flexible
  • Test video playback on different devices
  • Include alt text for accessibility
  • Consider srcset for different image sizes

Checking text readability

Make text easy to read everywhere:

  • Use em or rem for font sizes
  • Aim for 45-75 characters per line on desktop
  • Use larger fonts on mobile (16px minimum)
  • Test line height for proper spacing

“If your website loads slower than you’d like on these smaller devices, you may need to employ different strategies to present the same graphics.” - Andrej Fedek, Creator of InterCool Studio

Don’t forget: Always test on real devices!

Advanced testing methods

Testing screen rotation

Screen rotation testing is a must for mobile-friendly design. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Use browser DevTools to simulate rotation
  2. Test on real devices (it’s more accurate)
  3. Check layouts in portrait and landscape
  4. Make sure UI elements move correctly
  5. Ensure text is readable in all orientations

Speed tests at different resolutions

Page speed can change with screen size. Test it like this:

  1. Use Chrome DevTools to simulate devices
  2. Enable network throttling
  3. Record load times for key elements
  4. Compare results across resolutions

Pro tip: Keep an eye on image loading on mobile. It can be a real speed killer.

Accessibility in resolution testing

Accessibility testing makes sure your site works for everyone. Here’s what to check:

  • Use screen readers across resolutions
  • Make touch targets big enough on small screens (44x44 pixels minimum)
  • Test keyboard navigation on different screens
  • Check color contrast, especially on mobile

The ICT Testing Baseline for Web sets minimum tests for Section 508 conformance in U.S. federal government websites. It’s “tool agnostic and supports the use of automated and manual testing tools to ensure a comprehensive and accurate assessment of web accessibility.”

Here’s a quick breakdown of testing methods:

Testing MethodToolsBenefits
Manual TestingBrowser DevTools, Real DevicesAccurate user experience simulation
Automated TestingAccessibility checkers, Scripted testsConsistent, repeatable results
Assistive Tech TestingScreen readers, Keyboard-only navigationEnsures compatibility with adaptive tools

Fixing common problems

Broken layouts

Broken layouts? Not fun. Here’s how to fix them:

  1. Use percentages, not pixels

        .container { width: 100%; max-width: 960px; }
    

    This makes your content play nice with different screen sizes.

  2. Flexbox and CSS grid are your friends

    They’re like magic for responsive design. Content adjusts automatically.

  3. Check different browsers

    What works in Chrome might not in Firefox. Use tools like BrowserStack to test.

Overflowing content

Content spilling out? Try these:

  1. Overflow: hidden

    It’s like putting a lid on your content.

  2. Load less on small screens

    Only show what’s necessary. It’s faster and neater.

  3. Make tables behave

    TechniqueWhat it does
    Horizontal scrollLets users swipe to see more
    Stacked layoutTurns rows into a neat stack on mobile
    Hide columnsHides less important stuff on small screens

Images that work everywhere

Images can be tricky. Here’s how to tame them:

  1. Use srcset

        <img srcset="small.jpg 1x, large.jpg 2x" src="small.jpg" alt="Smart image" />
    

    It’s like giving your images different outfits for different occasions.

  2. Lazy load

        <img src="image.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Lazy but efficient" />
    

    Images show up when needed, not all at once.

  3. Try WebP

        <picture>
            <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
            <img src="image.jpg" alt="WebP with a backup plan">
        </picture>
    

    Smaller file sizes, same quality. Win-win.

Tips for better resolution testing

Start with mobile design

Kick off your resolution testing with mobile screens. It’s called “mobile-first” for a reason:

  • Limited space forces you to prioritize
  • Scaling up is easier than shrinking down
  • You’ll catch issues early

Here’s how:

  1. Design for the smallest screen first

  2. Gradually increase screen size, tweaking as you go

  3. Use Chrome DevTools to simulate different devices

Use flexible sizing units

Forget pixels. Go for these instead:

UnitWhat it isUse it for
emBased on parent’s font sizeText, padding, margins
remBased on root font sizeConsistent spacing
%Portion of parent’s sizeContainer dimensions
vw/vhPortion of screen sizeFull-width/height elements

These units make your design flow across screens.

CSS media queries: Your secret weapon

Media queries let you tailor designs to specific screen sizes:

    @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {
    /* Small screen styles */
    }

    @media only screen and (min-width: 601px) and (max-width: 1024px) {
    /* Medium screen styles */
    }

    @media only screen and (min-width: 1025px) {
    /* Large screen styles */
    }

Pro tip: Use relative units in media queries too:

    @media only screen and (max-width: 37.5em) {
    /* Styles for screens up to 600px (37.5em = 600px at 16px base font) */
    }

This makes your queries more flexible and easier to maintain.

Automating resolution tests

Want to speed up your testing? Automate it. Here’s how:

Tools for the job

Pick your weapon:

ToolWhat it doesUse it for
SeleniumWorks across browsers, speaks many coding languagesRegular and responsive sites
BrowserStackTests on 3,000+ device-browser combosThorough cross-device checks
TestsigmaAI-powered, no coding needed, 2,000+ devicesNon-techies, ongoing testing
Google DevToolsBuilt-in device simulator, slows down networksQuick dev-time checks

Crafting test scripts

Make your scripts work:

  1. Pick your battles: Test what matters most.

  2. Choose your tool: Match it to your project and team.

  3. Set clear goals: What should happen? What’s the end game?

  4. Master the waiting game: Don’t let timing trip you up.

  5. Keep it fresh: Update scripts as your site changes.

Bake tests into your workflow

Make testing a habit:

  1. Trigger tests when code changes.

  2. Use cloud services for parallel testing.

  3. Add visual checks to your functional tests.

  4. Don’t forget accessibility - use tools like WAVE.

Automate smart, test less, ship faster.

Future of resolution testing

Screens are changing, and our testing needs to keep up. Here’s what’s coming:

New screen technologies

Foldable phones are here. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models cost over $1900. They’re part smartphone, part tablet.

Testing foldables means checking:

  • App continuity between cover and main displays
  • Multi-window functionality
  • Smooth transitions between screen modes

Testing for very high-res screens

8K displays are coming, with 4x the pixels of 4K:

ResolutionPixel Count
4K~8 million
8K~33 million

For web devs, this means:

  • Using <picture> for multiple image versions
  • Using SVG for sharp visuals at all sizes
  • Watching for pixelation on high PPI displays

Testing for folding screens

Folding screens bring new challenges:

  1. Multiple display configurations

Apps must adapt to different screen sizes and orientations.

  1. Resizing and continuity

Transitions must be smooth when folding/unfolding.

  1. Multi-tasking scenarios

Test apps running side-by-side on unfolded screens.

Samsung’s foldable product manager says: “Developers need to rethink app layouts for these new form factors. It’s not just about scaling up or down anymore.”

With foldables projected to reach 1.8% market share by 2025, testing for them will be key for app success.

Conclusion

Screen resolution testing is crucial for web developers in 2024. Here’s why:

  • Screens now range from smartwatches to 8K displays
  • Poor layouts on different screens can drive visitors away
  • Google considers mobile-friendliness in rankings

Key testing points:

  • Use real devices and emulators
  • Check breakpoints and content alignment
  • Test menus, buttons, images, and text readability
  • Don’t skip screen rotation and speed tests

Keep your testing up-to-date:

  • Test your site every 2-3 months
  • Update testing methods yearly
  • Use Google Analytics to track user screen resolutions
Testing FrequencyAction
Every 2-3 monthsContent updates, layout checks
YearlyFull responsive design review
Every 2-3 yearsMajor redesign consideration

As screen tech evolves, so should your approach. Foldable phones and 8K displays are just the start. Stay on top of your testing to keep your site looking great on every screen.

FAQs

What are the standards for responsive testing?

Responsive testing makes sure websites work on all devices and screens. Here’s what you need to know:

AspectStandard
Visual ConsistencyColors and shading stay the same
InteractionClickable areas adjust properly
Text and InputAll text and fields display right
Content HierarchyImportant stuff visible at all sizes

These standards keep things user-friendly no matter the device. A button that’s easy to tap on your phone should work just as well on your desktop.

But it’s not just about looks. A form that’s a breeze to fill out on your computer should be just as simple on your phone.

Pro tip: These standards are from April 2019. Keep an eye out for updates as tech changes.

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Written by
Author

Himanshu Mishra

Indie Maker and Founder @ UnveelWorks & Hoverify