Screen Resolution Calculator
Calculate Aspect Ratios, Scale Resolutions, and Convert Pixels.
Changing one dimension automatically updates the other.
Common Scaled Resolutions (Same Aspect Ratio)
| Standard | Resolution | Megapixels |
|---|---|---|
| HD (720p) | 1280 x 720 | 0.92 MP |
| Full HD (1080p) | 1920 x 1080 | 2.07 MP |
| QHD (1440p) | 2560 x 1440 | 3.69 MP |
| 4K UHD (2160p) | 3840 x 2160 | 8.29 MP |
| 8K UHD (4320p) | 7680 x 4320 | 33.18 MP |
Details
Resolution Guide
16:9 (Widescreen)
The standard for modern TVs, monitors, and YouTube. (1920x1080, 4K).
4:3 (Traditional)
Used in older TVs (SD) and some tablets (iPad).
21:9 (Ultrawide)
Cinematic format, popular for immersive gaming monitors and movies.
Related Tools
Understanding Screen Resolution
In the digital age, screen real estate is measured in pixels. Whether you are a UI designer crafting a responsive layout, a gamer tuning settings for max FPS, or a photographer calculating print sizes, understandingScreen Resolution and Aspect Ratios is fundamental. Our tool simplifies these calculations instantly.
The Aspect Ratio Guide
16:9 (Widescreen)
The universal standard. Used by HDTVs, modern laptops, and YouTube.
1920x1080, 4K UHD
4:3 (Standard)
The classic "box" TV shape. Still used in iPads and some retro-style monitors.
1024x768, 2048x1536
21:9 (Ultrawide)
Cinematic format. Provides extra horizontal space for immersive gaming or multitasking.
2560x1080, 3440x1440
Key Concepts
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) & Density
Resolution alone doesn't tell you how sharp a screen is. A 1080p phone screen looks incredibly sharp because the pixels are packed tightly (high PPI), whereas a 1080p 60-inch TV looks pixelated up close (low PPI).
Designer Tip: Web images are traditionally 72 PPI, but modern screens (Retina) require images at 2x or 3x scale (144+ PPI) to look crisp.
Megapixels (MP)
Megapixels denote the total "area" of the resolution. It is calculated as `(Width x Height) / 1,000,000`. Checking MP is essential for knowing if your GPU can handle the load. A 4K screen (8.3MP) requires processing 4x more data per frame than 1080p (2.1MP).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aspect Ratio?
Aspect Ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of a display. It is expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, like 16:9. It tells you how 'wide' the screen looks, regardless of its actual size in inches.
How do I calculate PPI (Pixels Per Inch)?
PPI measures the sharpness of a display. The formula uses the Pythagorean theorem to find the diagonal pixel count, then divides by the screen size in inches. Our tool does this automatically: just enter the resolution (e.g., 1920x1080) and the diagonal size (e.g., 24").
What is the difference between 1080p, 2K, and 4K?
1080p (FHD) is 1920x1080. 2K (QHD) is typically 2560x1440. 4K (UHD) is 3840x2160, offering four times the pixels of 1080p. Higher resolutions provide sharper images but require more powerful graphics hardware.
Why do use 21:9 monitors?
The 21:9 aspect ratio, or 'Ultrawide', mimics the format of modern cinema. It offers a wider field of view for gaming and more horizontal space for multitasking (like having three windows open side-by-side) compared to standard 16:9 screens.
What is 'Retina' display?
'Retina' is Apple's marketing term for a display with high enough PPI (usually 300+) that the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels at a normal viewing distance. Technically, it just refers to high-DPI (dots per inch) screens.
How does screen resolution affect battery life?
Higher resolution screens (like 4K on a laptop) consume significantly more power. The GPU has to push 4x more pixels than 1080p, and the backlight often needs to be brighter to pass through the denser pixel grid, draining the battery faster.
Does resolution affect gaming performance?
Yes, drastically. Running a game at 4K requires roughly 4x the GPU processing power of 1080p. Many gamers prefer 1440p (2K) as a 'sweet spot' balance between sharp visuals and high frame rates.
What resolution is 8K?
8K resolution is typically 7680x4320. It has 33 million pixels, which is 4x the pixel count of 4K and 16x that of 1080p. It is currently used primarily in high-end professional scaling and very large TV displays.
Can I change my monitor's aspect ratio?
Physical screens have a fixed aspect ratio. However, you can force a different ratio (causing black bars, or 'letterboxing') via your graphics card settings. This is common when playing older 4:3 games on 16:9 screens.
What is a 'Logical Resolution' vs 'Physical Resolution'?
On mobile devices scaling is common. An iPhone might have a physical screen of 1170x2532 pixels, but the browser sees a logical viewport of 390x844 points (CSS pixels). This scaling factor (e.g., 3x) prevents text from looking microscopically small.