Google Browser Size

google browser size

Google Browser Size is a visualization of browser window sizes for people who visit Google. For example, the “90%” contour means that 90% of people visiting Google have their browser window open to at least this size or larger. This is useful for ensuring that important parts of a page’s user interface are visible by a wide audience. On the example page that you see when you first visit this site, there is a “donate now” button which falls within the 80% contour, meaning that 20% of users cannot see this button when they first visit the page. 20% is a significant number; knowing this fact would encourage the designer to move the button much higher in the page so it can be seen without scrolling.”

Google Browser Size is an excellent resource. I will come back often. Now, Google, let’s make it look nicer!

(thank you john!)

9 Comments leave a comment below

  1. it’s an ok resource. It doesn’t take into account centered pages. so I’d have to put in my url and then resize my browser to get a real sense of what people would see.

    also, it’s taking another website’s visitor patterns and applying it to yours. I think there is some value in that but not a whole lot.

  2. you can also simply enter “javascript:window.resizeTo(1020,740)” (without the quotes) in your address field to get a feel of what people with a 2024×768 screen see..
    you can even make a bookmarkt with that as an url and whenever you click it your window will resize!

  3. As you can imagine, we here at Methodologie were a bit taken aback. Not that we can compete with the data Google is able to pull in about browser window size, but if you’re looking for a tool that looks MUCH nicer and does generally the same thing via a Firefox plug-in, see this previous Swiss-Miss post:

    http://www.swiss-miss.com/2009/08/web-canvas.html

  4. flawed, but nice nonetheless

  5. interesting. it’s certainly something to consider.

  6. I agree, the Methodologie tool is much cleaner and more useful. This Google thing is visually clumsy and a rip-off.

  7. methodologie’s website is sexier, but i like that the google page allows you to type in your URL view your blog or website behind their super ugly layout.

  8. @Kat — you can download the Methodologie WebCanvas Firefox plugin, and then turn it on/off on any site you wish, by the click of a button. No need to go to a special site and type in a URL.

  9. Both, the Google and the Methodologie tools come in handy, thanks for posting. What would also be a very nice info is to see changes over time. I’m just about to consider switching to 1100+ widths for my pages, in the hope that larger screens and my image-affine audience may be happy with it.