The widest global content width without making my readers scroll horizontally?

[girl_in_paris 0]

Hello. I just purchased Platform Pro today. :-) I'm starting a WP blog now where I'll post large photos in each blog post. So, I would like an as wide blog as possible, but just not crossing the line where my readers need to scroll horizontally.... So what is the widest "global content width" I can go for without making my readers scroll horizontally? (I'm on a rather wide MacBook Pro 17'', so it's hard for me to judge) I'll be very VERY grateful for all answers! Thanks in advance :-) Nina

[Simon 248]

Here are some browser usage stats to help you decide: http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_display.asp

[robsmelik 0]

Typically over time the standard has been that you should stay below 1024 pixels width. This dimension was determined by the smallest laptop screen size, which at the time measured 1024 px wide. Now with small netbooks on the market website developers have been hovering around the upper 900's just to play it safe. Who knows what the future holds. As computer manufacturers are able to push more pixel depth out of smaller screens this number may very well go up. My formal training is in print design and for me it comes down to a simple matter of optimal line length and readability. Optimal line length is 55-75 characters (not words) per line. This line length allows readers eyes to follow the end of one line back down to the beginning of the next without issues. If a line is too long the readers eyes will have difficulty making that transition. If a line is to short it will break the readers normal rhythm. That is why I am not a fan of variable width sites that expand the content area as you change the browser window size. Here are some current width dimensions of popular sites that might help you out. Apple: 980 px Verizon: 985 px New York Times: 975 px CNN: 980 px