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Yes, you can daisy chain monitors using HDMI, but only if your monitors and graphics card support a feature called HDMI Daisy Chaining.
Daisy chaining monitors using HDMI means connecting one monitor to another in a series, so a single HDMI output from your computer can drive multiple displays.
However, standard HDMI ports don’t natively support daisy chaining, so you’ll need specific hardware like MST hubs or monitors with HDMI-out ports.
In this post, we’ll break down how daisy chaining monitors using HDMI works, what you need for it, and the best alternatives if your setup isn’t compatible.
Let’s explore whether daisy chaining monitors using HDMI is the right move for your desk setup.
Why Daisy Chaining Monitors Using HDMI Is Possible (But Tricky)
Daisy chaining monitors using HDMI is possible because of a technology called Multi-Stream Transport (MST), which is part of the DisplayPort standard.
HDMI itself was never designed for daisy chaining, so the trick lies in converting or using hybrid ports.
Here’s what you need to understand about daisy chaining monitors using HDMI and why it’s not as simple as plugging one cable into the next.
1. HDMI Doesn’t Carry Multi-Stream Natively
Standard HDMI cables and ports carry a single video stream, not multiple streams like DisplayPort does.
This means you can’t just plug an HDMI cable from Monitor A into Monitor B and expect both to show different images.
For daisy chaining monitors using HDMI, you need a monitor that has an HDMI input and an HDMI output, and that output must support MST internally.
Most consumer monitors don’t have this feature, so daisy chaining monitors using HDMI fails unless you buy specialized models.
2. You Can Use an MST Hub for HDMI Daisy Chaining
If your monitors lack HDMI-out ports, you can still daisy chain monitors using HDMI with an external MST hub.
This hub connects to your computer via DisplayPort or USB-C, then splits the signal into multiple HDMI outputs.
One cable goes to the first monitor, and the hub handles the multi-stream internally, so it acts like a virtual daisy chain.
This is the most reliable way to daisy chain monitors using HDMI without buying new monitors.
3. Check Your Graphics Card’s Support
Your graphics card must support MST for daisy chaining monitors using HDMI to work through a hub.
Most modern GPUs from NVIDIA (GTX 10 series and newer) and AMD (RX 400 series and newer) support MST.
However, some laptops and integrated graphics may not, so check your GPU’s specs before investing in cables or hubs.
If your GPU doesn’t support MST, daisy chaining monitors using HDMI won’t work, and you’ll need a different approach.
How to Daisy Chain Monitors Using HDMI (Step-by-Step)
If you’ve confirmed your hardware supports it, here’s how to daisy chain monitors using HDMI successfully.
Follow these steps carefully to avoid frustration and ensure all monitors light up correctly.
Step 1: Verify Your Monitors Have HDMI-Out Ports
Look at the back of your monitors for an HDMI port labeled “OUT” or “MST.”
If your monitor only has HDMI-in ports, daisy chaining monitors using HDMI directly won’t work.
That’s fine—you’ll need an MST hub instead, which we’ll cover in the next section.
For direct daisy chaining, you need monitors that explicitly advertise HDMI daisy chain support.
Step 2: Connect the First Monitor to Your Computer
Plug one HDMI cable from your computer’s HDMI port into the first monitor’s HDMI-in port.
Then, take a second HDMI cable and connect the first monitor’s HDMI-out port to the second monitor’s HDMI-in port.
Continue this chain for any additional monitors you want to add.
Then, power on all monitors and your computer, and your OS should detect each display automatically.
Step 3: Configure Display Settings
Once your operating system detects the monitors, go to Display Settings (Windows) or System Preferences > Displays (macOS).
You should see multiple monitors listed, and you can arrange them, set resolutions, and choose extend or duplicate mode.
If you don’t see all monitors, try swapping HDMI cables or checking that MST is enabled in your monitor’s on-screen menu.
And that’s it—daisy chaining monitors using HDMI is done.
The Best Alternative: Daisy Chaining with DisplayPort or USB-C
Since daisy chaining monitors using HDMI is so limited, most users prefer DisplayPort or USB-C for this job.
DisplayPort was built with MST from the ground up, so daisy chaining works seamlessly without extra hubs.
USB-C also supports MST, and it can carry power, data, and video in one cable.
If you’re setting up a multi-monitor rig, here’s why daisy chaining monitors using HDMI might not be worth the hassle.
1. DisplayPort Daisy Chaining Is More Common
Most monitors with daisy chaining capability use DisplayPort in and out, not HDMI.
So, if you search for “daisy chain monitors,” you’ll find DisplayPort models far more often than HDMI ones.
Daisy chaining monitors using HDMI works only on a handful of business monitors, like some Dell and Lenovo models.
For the average user, DisplayPort is the standard, and trying to force HDMI can limit your monitor choices.
2. USB-C Hubs Offer More Flexibility
Instead of daisy chaining monitors using HDMI, you can use a USB-C docking station that splits video to multiple HDMI ports.
This works with any monitor with an HDMI input, so you’re not locked into buying special daisy-chain-ready monitors.
You plug the dock into your laptop, then run separate HDMI cables from the dock to each monitor.
It’s not technically “daisy chaining” because each monitor connects to the hub, but it achieves the same result with universal compatibility.
3. Bandwidth Limitations with HDMI
Even when daisy chaining monitors using HDMI works, bandwidth is a huge constraint.
HDMI 2.0 supports up to 18 Gbps, but daisy chaining splits that bandwidth across multiple monitors.
So, you might face lower refresh rates or resolutions on the second or third monitor in the chain.
DisplayPort 1.4 and 2.0 have much higher bandwidth, making daisy chaining smoother and more reliable.
So, Can You Daisy Chain Monitors Using HDMI?
Yes, you can daisy chain monitors using HDMI, but only under specific conditions.
You need monitors with HDMI-out ports that support MST, or you need an external MST hub to convert the signal.
If your monitors and GPU don’t support MST, daisy chaining monitors using HDMI won’t work, and you’re better off with DisplayPort or USB-C.
In short, daisy chaining monitors using HDMI is possible for a niche set of users, but it’s not the most practical approach for most setups.
Whether you’re building a workstation or a gaming rig, weigh your monitor options carefully before committing to a daisy chain.