VESA mount
Standard for mounting flat-panel displays to stands or walls.
The Video Electronics Standards Association defines the Flat Display Mounting Interface (FDMI), commonly called a VESA mount or VESA Mounting Interface Standard (MIS). This set of standards governs how flat-panel displays, televisions, and other screens attach to stands or wall mounts. Most modern flat-panel monitors and televisions include this interface. It also allows a small computer to be fastened to the back of a monitor mount.
The first version of this standard appeared in 1997, originally named the Flat Panel Monitor Physical Mounting Interface (FPMPMI). That version now corresponds to part D of the current standard.
Most VESA mount sizes use four screw holes arranged in a square on the mount, with matching threaded holes on the device. The horizontal and vertical distances between screw centers are labeled A and B. The original layout was a 100 mm square. A 75 mm square was defined for smaller displays. Later, variants were added for screens as small as a 4-inch diagonal.
In 2006, the FDMI was expanded with additional screw patterns for larger TV screens. The standard now specifies seven sizes, each with more than one variant. These are referenced as parts B through F of the standard or with official abbreviations, usually prefixed by the word "VESA." Unofficially, variants are sometimes called just "VESA" followed by the pattern size in millimeters, which can be ambiguous for "VESA 50" (four possibilities), "VESA 75" (two possibilities), and "VESA 200" (three possibilities). However, if "VESA 100" is taken to mean the original variant ("VESA MIS-D, 100"), then all except "VESA MIS-E" and "VESA MIS-F, 200" have at least one unique dimension that can be used this way.
If a screen is heavier or larger than specified in a given table, it should use a larger variant from the table. For example, a 30-inch LCD TV weighing more than 50 pounds would need a part F mount. Weight limits were chosen as round numbers in kilograms or pounds for different sizes. Screw lengths for parts C, D, and E become whole numbers when adding a 2.6 mm thick bracket, which is how the standard describes them. For part F, screw lengths are given as minimum, maximum, and hole maximum: M6 screws must go at least 9 mm in but at most 10 mm in, and the hole might not be deeper than 12 mm.
The mounting pattern must be centered between the left and right edges of the screen case.
- First standard introduced
- 1997
- Original name
- Flat Panel Monitor Physical Mounting Interface (FPMPMI)
- Original layout
- 100 mm square
- Smaller variant
- 75 mm
- Extension year
- 2006
- Number of sizes
- seven
- Screw types
- M4, M6, M8
Lore & Background
The first standard in this family was introduced in 1997 and was originally called the Flat Panel Monitor Physical Mounting Interface (FPMPMI), corresponding to part D of the current standard. Most sizes of VESA mount have four screw-holes arranged in a square on the mount, with matching tapped holes on the device. The original layout was a square of 100 mm, and a 75 mm variant was defined for smaller displays. Later, variants were added for screens as small as a 4-inch diagonal.
The FDMI was extended in 2006 with additional screw patterns for larger TV screens, now specifying seven sizes, each with more than one variant. These are referenced as parts B to F of the standard or with official abbreviations, usually prefixed by 'VESA'. Unofficially, variants are sometimes referenced as just 'VESA' followed by the pattern size in mm, which is slightly ambiguous for names like 'VESA 50' (four possibilities), 'VESA 75' (two possibilities), and 'VESA 200' (three possibilities). However, 'VESA 100' is accepted as meaning the original variant.
For variant F, the 2006 edition is very clear that the type F pattern is always square, and odd sizes like 300×300, 500×500, 700×700, and 900×900 are allowed. In practice, many screens that almost comply with part F deviate in minor ways, such as non-square patterns like 600×200 mm, 600×400 mm, and 800×400 mm, which were apparently permitted by the version 1 (2002) standard. A somewhat strange pattern of 280×150 mm also exists.
Reader's Guide
The VESA mount standard is significant because it provides a universal interface for mounting flat-panel displays, ensuring compatibility between screens and mounting hardware from different manufacturers. The standard specifies screw patterns, hole tolerances, weight limits, and clearance areas, allowing for safe and reliable mounting. For heavier or larger screens, a larger variant from the table must be used; for instance, a 30-inch LCD TV weighing more than 50 lb would need a part F mount. The weight limits were chosen as round numbers in kg or lb for different sizes.
Manufacturers of FDMI-compliant devices can license the use of a hexagonal 'VESA mounting compliant' logo, though many compliant or almost compliant devices do not display the logo. Of the standard committee members (Ergotron, Peerless Industries, HP, Samsung, Sanus, ViewSonic, and Vogel), only Ergotron appears on VESA's public list of licensed manufacturers. The standard also includes rules to ensure cables do not prevent using the mounts, and more details can be found by purchasing a copy of the standard itself.
Did You Know?
- The original VESA mount layout was a 100 mm square, introduced in 1997.
- For variant F, the hole pattern is a square with holes every 100 mm along the edges only, and no holes in the square.
- Many screens that almost comply with part F use non-square patterns such as 600×200 mm or 800×400 mm.
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