Do I need to drill my desk to install a monitor arm?

No. Most monitor arms use a desk clamp that tightens around the desk edge — no drilling required. A grommet mount (which requires a hole in the desk) is an optional alternative that provides a more rigid connection, but the clamp mount works well for most desks.

What tools do I need to install a monitor arm?

A Phillips head screwdriver for the VESA plate, and the hex key (Allen wrench) included with the arm for tension adjustment. Some arms also include a flat-head screwdriver for tension screws. No power tools are required for clamp installation.

How do I know if my monitor is VESA compatible?

Check the back of the monitor for a square pattern of four screw holes. The most common patterns are 75x75mm and 100x100mm. If your monitor has these holes, it is VESA compatible. If the back has no holes or only non-square screw patterns, your monitor likely uses a proprietary mount.

How to Install a Monitor Arm: Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Install a monitor arm in under 30 minutes. Covers removing the factory stand, attaching the VESA plate, mounting the arm to your desk, and adjusting tension for your monitor's weight.

A monitor arm install should take about 30 minutes. For a lot of people it takes twice that, because of one avoidable mistake.

That mistake is attaching the arm before removing the factory stand, which usually means unmounting everything and starting over.

Follow the right order of operations and you skip that entirely.

This guide walks through VESA compatibility, mounting, cable routing, and tension adjustment, step by step.

Step 1: Verify VESA Compatibility

Check the back of your monitor for four screw holes arranged in a square pattern. Measure the distance between them:

75x75mm: holes are 75mm apart horizontally and vertically
100x100mm: holes are 100mm apart horizontally and vertically

Most monitors use 100x100mm. Ultrawide monitors sometimes use 100x200mm or 200x100mm.

If the monitor has no rear screw holes, it is not VESA compatible and cannot mount to a standard arm without an adapter.

Step 2: Remove the Factory Stand

Lay the monitor face-down on a soft surface (use the packaging foam or a folded towel — avoid abrasive surfaces that can scratch the screen bezel).

Factory stands attach in one of two ways:

Screw-attached: four screws visible from the back at the VESA mount points. Remove these screws and lift the stand off.
Clip-attached: a release button or lever on the back of the stand neck. Press and hold the release while lifting the stand up.

Set the factory stand aside — save the screws, as some VESA plates use the same screw size.

Step 3: Attach the VESA Mounting Plate

The monitor arm includes a VESA mounting plate (a small metal bracket). Align the plate with the screw holes on the back of the monitor.

Most arms include multiple screw sizes to fit both 75x75mm and 100x100mm patterns. Match the screw thread (M4 is most common for monitors) and screw length to the monitor's VESA holes. Screws should thread in smoothly — if they require force, they are mismatched.

Tighten to firm resistance. Do not overtighten — VESA screws into aluminum thread easily and can strip with excessive torque.

Step 4: Mount the Arm to the Desk

Position the arm pole at your desired location on the desk edge. Most users position it behind the dominant hand for easiest cable access.

Slide the clamp pad under the desk and tighten the clamp bolt or padded thumbscrew until the arm does not move when pushed laterally. Confirm the desk edge is within the clamp's stated thickness range — most clamps handle 1 to 3-inch desk edges.

Step 5: Attach the Monitor to the Arm

Hook the VESA plate on the monitor onto the mounting head of the arm. Most arms use a hook-and-lock mechanism: the plate hooks over a pin, then a locking screw or thumbscrew secures it.

Confirm the locking screw is fully engaged before releasing the monitor.

Step 6: Adjust Tension for Monitor Weight

The arm's spring tension must match the monitor weight. An arm set for a lighter monitor will allow a heavier monitor to droop; an arm set too stiff for a lighter monitor will spring upward.

Use the included hex key to find the tension adjustment access point (location varies by arm model — check the manual). Adjust in small increments (1/4 turn), testing after each adjustment. The correct tension holds the monitor at any height without drifting up or down.

Step 7: Route Cables

Thread cables through the arm's cable management channels. Most arms have channels along the arm length and a clip or velcro tie at the base. Bundle excess cable length behind the arm.

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