What is a VESA Mount?

VESA mount patterns are the series of holes found on the back of a television or monitor, used to attach them to wall mounts. There are a few other names that can apply to these standards as well. VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association. The organization VESA is a technical standards association located in California that focuses on computer and video displays. Most major companies that manufacture monitors or televisions (Dell, Sony, Samsung, etc.) are members of the organization and follow its standards. Items made by these members follow VESA standards and even non-member companies tend to stick to them for the sake of conformity.

Officially, VESA mount patterns were dubbed Flat Display Mounting Interfaces (FDMI) by the VESA organization. As a secondary name, the patterns were also called VESA Mounting Interface Standards (MIS). This second name stuck and was eventually shorthanded to just “VESA mounts”.

How are VESA Mounts Measured?

VESA mount patterns are made from four holes, forming either square or rectangle-shaped. Each hole is one corner of the square/rectangle and holds a screw that secures the mount to a television or monitor. Made to international standards, VESA mount patterns are measured in millimeters. For example, a mount labeled with a 100x100 VESA pattern means the holes are in a square shape that is 100mm on each side.

VESA patterns can measure as small as 50x50mm or as large as 800x400mm. The size of the television/monitor will determine the size of the VESA pattern, with larger screens needing bigger VESA patterns to distribute the weight of the unit more evenly. By extension, larger VESA mounts with bigger VESA patterns will also have higher weight limits. Some of the bigger mounts are so large that their VESA patterns are too big for smaller TVs/monitors, so be sure to pick an appropriately sized VESA mount.

Types of VESA Mounts

Many VESA mounts, and even some TVs and monitors, will have multiple VESA patterns on them. This ensures that any new mounts or monitors that are purchased have a higher chance of being compatible with existing hardware. The size of a VESA pattern corresponds to the largest screen size it can support, as well as the weight limit of the mount. 

Larger units will also use thicker bolts to secure the TV to the mount. It is not uncommon for screw holes inside televisions to not be deep enough. Most VESA mounts come with rubber spacers or washers to make up the difference, but it may be necessary to have a few extras on-hand depending on the make and model of TV being used.

Get Your VESA Mount Set Up Today

The instruction manual for any television or monitor should list what VESA pattern it uses. Otherwise, measuring the pattern is the best way to figure out the size. With that information in hand, it is simple to find a VESA mount to fit the screen. Most mounts are listed by screen size, so having that information on-hand will make finding an appropriate mount easy. While VESA mounts are generally built to handle any weight for the screen sizes they support, double-checking the weight of the TV/monitor and comparing it to the monitors' maximum weight is always a good idea. Taking a few minutes to do that is always a better idea than a screen crashing down onto the floor.

Here at ShowMeCables, we carry both wall and ceiling mounts for televisions and even desk mounts for computer monitors. If setting up a mount is new to you, we also have installation guides that show the process step-by-step. We also carry VESA adapters for users who are upgrading or downgrading their monitor size (when upgrading, be sure to check the weight limit of your mount vs. the new TV).

Have questions about VESA mounts or any of our other products? Our Sales team can be reached at 1-888-519-9505 or Sales@ShowMeCables.com