How to Connect Two Monitors: Dual Monitor Setup Guide

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Set up 2 monitors on your PC or Mac in just a few minutes

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: April 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Connecting Two Monitors
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• Dual Monitor Setup on Windows
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• Dual Monitor Setup on a Mac
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• Video
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• Tips

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If you want to add a second monitor to your Windows PC or Mac, it's easy. You'll just need to make sure your computer supports multiple displays before doing so. You’ll also need to make sure you have the right cable connections. In this article, we'll teach you how to connect two monitors to your computer and how to configure your dual monitors on Windows and macOS.

Connecting Two Monitors to a Computer

You can connect two monitors using two HDMI ports on your computer or an HDMI port and a DisplayPort, or a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. If your monitor and PC support it, you can daisy chain multiple monitors using DisplayPort cables. You can change and arrange dual display settings in the Display Settings menu.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Connecting Two Monitors

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1. 
   1
   Make sure your computer supports multiple displays. This isn't usually an issue for laptop computers, but your desktop computer may not meet the requirements for adding a second monitor:

   • Laptop — If your laptop has at least one video output port, you can use it to connect a second monitor.
   • Desktop — Your desktop computer must have at least two HDMI ports in total (one to connect the primary monitor and one to connect the second monitor). Or an HDMI port and a DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, or USB-C port with DisplayPort alternate mode.
2. 
   2
   Check if your monitors support a daisy chain setup (optional). A daisy chain setup allows you to connect more than one monitor to your PC using fewer cables by hooking the second monitor up to the first. If your monitor has two or more DisplayPort outputs, a USB-C with DisplayPort alternate mode, or a Thunderbolt 3 or higher port, it should be able to support a daisy chain setup. If you're not sure, check the monitors' manuals to see if they support a daisy chain configuration.

   • This can come in handy if you don't have the right ports (or enough available ports) on your computer.
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3. 
   3
   Identify your computer's video output port. Video output ports are generally found on the side of your laptop. If you are using a desktop computer, check the back of your desktop tower or the PCI slot where the video card is connected. This is the port you'll be connecting the monitor to. Here are some common ports to check for.[Image:Connect Two Monitors Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]

   • HDMI — These ports resemble a thin, rectangular port with the notches cut out of the corners. HDMI ports can only be connected to one monitor.
   • DisplayPort — These ports resemble a rectangular port with a crimped corner. You can usually connect multiple monitors to a single DisplayPort by daisy chaining.
   • USB-C — These ports resemble a thin, oval-shaped port. The USB-C port needs to support DisplayPort alternate mode. It will usually have an icon that resembles a “D” with a “P” inside of it next to the port.
   • Thunderbolt — These ports also resemble a thin, oval-shaped port, similar to a USB-C port. A Thunderbolt port will usually have an icon of a lightning bolt next to it.
   • VGA — Resembles a colored trapezoid with pinholes in it. VGA isn't common on post-2012 computers, but you may have to work with VGA if you're connecting a new computer to an old monitor (or vice versa).
4. 
   4
   Find your monitor's video input port. Modern monitors tend to use either DisplayPort or HDMI ports for their inputs. Some may have a USB-C or Thunderbolt port.

   • If you have an exceptionally old monitor, you may find a DVI or VGA port on the back of your second monitor. DVI ports resemble white boxes with clusters of holes, as well as a section with a few separate holes. VGA ports are trapezoid-shaped and have 15 pins or holes.
5. 
   5
   Buy a cable to connect your monitor to your computer if necessary. If your monitor and computer don't have the same types of ports, you can buy a cable or adapter that has one type of port on one end, and the other type of port on the other end.

   • If your computer and your monitor both have a common port (e.g., HDMI), it's easier (and cheaper) to buy a cable that fits both ports, even if a higher-definition option is available.
   • If the monitor's input doesn't match your computer's output (e.g., if the monitor uses an HDMI port, but you only have one free DisplayPort on your graphics card), you will need to buy an adapter.
   • Some video output combinations, such as HDMI to DisplayPort, come as cables that you can purchase instead of buying an adapter.
6. 
   6
   Connect the first monitor to your computer. Connect the video cable to the input port on the back of your monitor, then connect the other end of the cable to the same video out port on your computer.
7. 
   7
   Connect the second monitor to your computer. Depending on your graphics card and monitors, there are a couple of different ways you can do this:

   • HDMI — HDMI is the most common video cable connection. If your video card has two or more HDMI outputs, you can connect two or more monitors to your video card using an HDMI cable. However, if your video card only has one HDMI out port and no other video-out ports, it most likely does not support a dual-monitor setup.
   • HDMI & DisplayPort — If your computer or video card has a separate HDMI output and a DisplayPort output, you can connect one monitor using an HDMI cable and a second using a DisplayPort cable. It’s recommended you connect your primary monitor using a DisplayPort cable and your secondary monitor using an HDMI cable.
   • DisplayPort Daisy Chain — If your monitor supports daisy chaining, you can connect your primary monitor to your computer using a DisplayPort cable. You can then connect another DisplayPort cable to the DisplayPort output on the back of the monitor and connect it to the DisplayPort input on the second monitor.
   • USB-C/Thunderbolt: On some devices, you can use a USB-C or Thunderbolt cable to connect a monitor to your device. To use this, the USB-C port will need to support DisplayPort alternate mode. Most Thunderbolt ports support video-out. If your computer has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode or a Thunderbolt port, you can connect a second monitor to your computer using a USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt cable. Just make sure you use a high-speed cable.
   • Wireless: Some monitors can be connected wirelessly. If your monitor doesn’t support a wireless connection, you can connect a wireless adapter to it. You’ll need to make sure your monitor (or wireless adapter) and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, you can connect your computer wirelessly in the Settings menu on your computer.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dual Monitor Setup on Windows

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1. 
   1
   Press ⊞ Win+i to open Settings. You can use the keyboard shortcut to open the Settings menu. Alternatively, you can click the Windows Start button and then click the Gear/Settings icon.
2. 
   2
   Click System. On Windows 11, it’s the first option at the top of the menu bar on the left. On Windows 10, it's a screen-shaped icon in the upper-left side of the window.
3. 
   3
   Click Display. On Windows 11, it’s the first option at the top of the main menu panel in the middle. On Windows 10, it’s the tab in the upper-left corner of the window.[Image:Connect Two Monitors Step 11 Version 2.jpg|center]]
4. 
   4
   Detect your second display. If you don’t automatically see a diagram with two monitors, scroll down and click Multiple Displays. Then click Detect below this option.

   • If your computer does not detect a second display, it may not support a second display.
5. 
   5
   Connect a wireless display (optional). If your monitor supports a wireless connection, click Multiple Displays. Then, click Connect next to “Connect to a wireless display.” Select your monitor or wireless adapter in the pop-up menu.
6. 
   6
   Identify your monitors. To identify your monitors, click Identify below the diagram at the top of the display menu. This will place a number on each of your monitors to help you identify which is which.
7. 
   7
   Arrange your monitors. Click and drag the monitors in the diagram so that they are placed in the same position in the diagram that you have them placed physically on your desk. This will allow you to move your mouse cursor from one monitor to the next.
8. 
   8
   Select a display option. Depending on what you want your second monitor to do, use the drop-down menu in the diagram to select one of the following options:

   • Extend: This extends your display to the second monitor, allowing you to move your mouse cursor from one screen to the next.
   • Duplicate: This displays the same mirror image on both displays.
   • PC screen only: This option disables your secondary display and only uses your primary display.
   • Second screen only: This option disables your primary display and only uses your secondary display.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dual Monitor Setup on a Mac

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1. 
   1
   Open the Display Settings menu. Use the following steps to do so:

   • Click the Apple icon in the menu bar at the top.
   • Click System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs).
   • Click Display.
2. 
   2
   Detect your second monitor. If you don’t see your second monitor in the diagram at the top of the Display Settings menu, hold the Option key and click Detect Displays in the lower-right corner.
3. 
   3
   Select how to use your monitors. To do so, click one of your monitors in the display at the top. Then, use the drop-down menu next to “Use as” to select how it is used: Your options are as follows:

   • Main Display: This assigns the monitor you have selected as your primary display.
   • Extended Display: This assigns the monitor you have selected as a secondary extended display, allowing you to move your mouse cursor from one monitor to the next.
   • Mirror for [Monitor]: This displays the same image that is being displayed on the monitor that is listed.
4. 
   4
   Arrange your monitors. To do so, click Arrange in the diagram at the top of the Display Settings menu. Then click and drag your displays to the same position in the diagram as they are physically on your desk.
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Tips

• It's often cheaper to buy cables online than in stores.
  Thanks

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• When using a second monitor to extend your primary monitor, pushing your mouse all the way to the right of the first monitor will place the mouse on the second monitor.
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• If your computer doesn't accept multiple displays, you'll need to install a graphics card that has a minimum of two video outputs in order to use multiple displays.
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