974 seems to be a suspiciously precise number.
For 1024×768 screen resolution, the approximate visible area is 974×650.
Many grid systems use this width, for example:
> Widths table: Device Pixels
> Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes
(pdf)
> Illustrator Grid
> HTML5 Boilerplate Mobile
> An Introduction to Grid Systems
> Optimal width for 1024px resolution
> What the typical viewport size on a 1024×768 screen?
Why does Internet Explorer Mobile 6 use a layout viewport of 974px?
974 seems to be a suspiciously accurate number.
This number was chosen for a 1024×768 monitor, which is The de facto standard for a long time. 1024 – 974 = 50, allowing 25px margins on each side.
For 1024×768 screen resolution, the The approximate visible area is 974×650.
Many grid systems use this width, for example:
> Widths table: Device Pixels
> Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes
(pdf)
> Illustrator Grid
> HTML5 Boilerplate Mobile
> An Introduction to Grid Systems
> Optimal width for 1024px resolution
> What the typical viewport size on a 1024×768 screen?