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The Ultimate Guide to Common Monitor Resolutions

Yucy2/4/2025
Monitor Resolution

Monitor resolution is responsible for the video quality. It decides the overall experience the user gets. Therefore, before choosing a monitor, you must understand monitor resolution.

In this article, we will explain what monitor resolution is. We will share different common monitor resolutions that you can go with and compare them to make your selection easier.

What is Monitor Resolution?

Monitor resolution represents the number of pixels horizontally and vertically on the screen. For instance, if the resolution is 1920 x 1080, it means there are 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically.

It gives you an idea of the total number of pixels; you just need to multiply both numbers. 1920 x 1080 has 2,073,600 pixels. Secondly, it tells you the aspect ratio, which is 16:9 in this case. Once you see the resolution, you have an idea of the image quality. The higher the resolution, the better the sharpness, details, and overall quality.

Common Types of Monitor Resolution

Here are some common resolutions you will witness in monitors.

720p Monitor Resolution

720p resolution means 1280 x 720 pixels. There are 1280 pixels horizontally and 720 pixels vertically. That said, there is a total of 921,600 pixels on the display.

It’s called HD or High Definition. It’s a common resolution used in various devices, but it is becoming obsolete when it comes to large monitors.

2K Monitor Resolution

2K Resolution is a common term used for any resolution having nearly 2000 pixels horizontally. It’s a generic term, and there is no specific resolution.

For instance, 1920 x 1080 is a 2K resolution. It contains 1920 pixels horizontally, which is near to 2000. The total number of pixels is 2,073,600, and it is called Full HD (FHD).
Similarly, 2560 x 1440 is also a 2K resolution because the number of pixels in the width is nearly equal to 2000.

1440p Monitor Resolution

1440p is a 2K resolution known as Quad HD (QHD). It refers to 2560 x 1440 pixels. There are 2560 pixels horizontally and 1440 pixels vertically. The aspect ratio is 16:9 and the total of pixels is 3,686,400.

4K Monitor Resolution

4K resolution is also a generic term for resolutions having around 4000 pixels horizontally. Whether it is a monitor or other device, people prefer going with 4K resolution as it offers incredible details and quality.

3840 x 2160 is a common 4K resolution, which is also called Ultra HD (UHD). It has 3840 pixels horizontally and 2160 pixels vertically. The total number of pixels is 8,294,400 or 8MP (megapixels).

If you have a 4K monitor resolution, you can pair it up with a 4K device, such as a 4K resolution security camera. Reolink has so many good options. They offer high resolution and ensures rich details and optimal clarity.

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Monitor Resolution Chart

Name Resolution Aspect Ratio Pixels Uses
720p or HD 1280 x 720 16:9 921,600
2K or FHD 1920 x 1080 16:9 2,073,600
1440p or QHD 2560 x 1440 16:9 3,686,400
4K or UHD 3840 x 2160 16:9 8,294,400

How to Check Resolution of Monitor?

How to check monitor resolution on Windows 10/11?

  1. Right-click on the desktop and click Display Settings.
  2. Under Scale and Layout, you will see the Display Resolution.
  3. Click the drop-down menu and select the resolution you need. The recommended resolution is usually the actual resolution of the display.

How to check monitor resolution on MacOS?

  1. Go to the Apple Menu and click System Settings.
  2. Click Displays.
  3. You will see the Resolution. From there, you can check the current resolution and select the desired resolution.

How to check monitor resolution on Chrome OS?

  1. Go to Settings:
  2. Click Device and then go to Displays.
  3. Under Resolution, you will see the select resolution. You can also select the resolution you want.

What Affects Monitor Resolution? How to Optimize It?

The monitor resolution mainly depends on the hardware. The display, graphics card, video cable, and other things decide the final result. However, the operation system can also affect it and have some influence.

For the best visual experience, you also need to optimize your monitor resolution according to the display, aspect ratio, etc. Here’s how you can optimize it.

  • Check out the specifications of the monitor if possible, such as the recommended screen resolution of the monitor or aspect ratio. Then, select the right resolution from Settings according to your display.

  • You can try out different resolutions from the options to see which works well. For a landscape monitor, the best option would be a 16:9 aspect ratio (1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1140). If the monitor is square, you can go with 4:3 resolutions like 1280 x 1024. Try these resolutions to check which one fits perfectly and does not cut any of the images and text. Make sure everything is sharp and clear.

  • You also need to adjust the DPI settings. A low DPI means small and sharp images. If it is too low, you might see very small images. But if it is too high, you will see pixelation. Try different DPIs and see what works better for you.

  • It also depends on person to person. You have to pick the perfect resolution and DPI settings according to your preference. Some people like small and sharp images on the display, while some prefer bigger ones.

  • Adjust the graphics card settings, such as resolution, refresh rate, anti-aliasing, texture quality, and other things according to the needs. You can also adjust the display settings in your game, and some software also has this feature.

FAQs

1. Is 2560x1600 resolution 4K?

No, 2560 x 1600 is not 4K. It can be called a 2K resolution because the horizontal pixels are near to 2000.

2. What resolution should I use for my monitor?

The best option would be 4K as it offers incredible details. You will have an immersive experience. But if you can’t go with that, the second option would be at least 2K.

3. Which resolution is better 1920x1080 or 2560x1440?

2560 x 1440 is better. It has more pixels horizontally and vertically. It has 3,686,400 pixels in total, while 1920 x 1080 has 2,073,600. It can offer more details and show better images.

4. What is the highest resolution monitor?

With the advancement in technology, the highest resolution changes. Previously, it was 4K, but now, the highest resolution is 8K, which is 7680 x 4320 pixels.

Conclusion

Monitor resolution gives an idea of the overall image quality. The higher it is, the better will be the image. We have shared different monitor resolution options with their details. We have also compared them for your ease. Ideally, you should go with 4K resolution as it is more detailed and immersive, but there are some other options as well.

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All Comments Are Welcome

Yucy, as a proficient editor in Reolink, specializes in the field of home security. Her expertise lies in providing insightful information regarding the latest advancements in security systems, surveillance technologies, and safety measures. Comment and discuss with her!