Optimum width for online magazine

factors to consider when setting page width

[poet]

I am working with an experienced programmer to create a template for online magazines. Need to know the optimum width, and factors to consider in making this decision.

I have looked at a dozen examples of existing online mags and they are all over the map, anywhere from 743 to 857 pixels wide.

The wider width allows me to get all the columns in that I need, but what is the downside of an 857 pixel wide mag?

[tedster]

Something like 30% of all traffic is still using the 800x600 screen resolution. This leaves mabe 765 pixels for actual content, so a width of 857px will create side scrolling.

[Gusgsm]

Perhaps you would be interested in taking a look at Eye tracking studies [poynterextra.org]. Some things may be a bit of snake oil, but it's worth looking a while.

I wonder which is the (more or less) optimal line width in characters for web reading (plus the combination in font, colour, body and leading size ;) ).

[henry0]

Gugsm,
Thanks very good article

[amygrech]

Thanks for posting the article--lots of good info.

Amy