How do I calculate screen resolution?

Enter the screen width and height in pixels. The calculator returns total pixels, megapixels, aspect ratio, orientation, and resolution standard such as 1080p, 1440p, 4K, or 8K.

How do I calculate PPI?

Enter the screen width, height, and diagonal size in inches. PPI is calculated from the diagonal pixel count divided by the diagonal screen size.

Screen Resolution Calculator

Calculate screen resolution, PPI, aspect ratio, pixel density, megapixels, and display classification in seconds. Enter custom values or use presets for MacBook, iMac, iPhone, 1080p, 1440p, 4K, and 8K displays.

Width (pixels)

Height (pixels)

Aspect Ratio

Diagonal Size (inches) — optional

Device Presets

Resolution Details

Resolution

1920×1080

Standard

Full HD (1080p)

Aspect Ratio

16:9

Orientation

Landscape

Total Pixels

2,073,600

2.1 megapixels

Device Recommendations

Landscape orientation — ideal for monitors, TVs, and video content
Great for everyday productivity, streaming, and screen recording
Standard for most desktop monitors and laptops

Same Aspect Ratio at Other Resolutions

Best Resolution for Screen Recordings

For tutorials and product demos, record at the native resolution of your display when possible, then export at the size your audience will watch. This keeps UI text sharp without creating files that are unnecessarily large.

Export Size	Best Use
1080p	Support videos, tutorials, and lightweight sharing
1440p	Sharper product demos with readable UI text
4K	Marketing pages, launch videos, and crisp app showcases

If your Mac screen recording looks blurry, the issue is often an export-size mismatch. Start with our Mac screen recording guide or compare dedicated tools in the best screen recording software for Mac roundup.

Screen Resolution Calculator: Quick Answers

What does this calculator show?

It shows resolution standard, aspect ratio, total pixels, megapixels, orientation, PPI, and density level.

What is PPI?

PPI means pixels per inch. It tells you how sharp a display looks at a given physical screen size.

What is the best resolution for screen recording?

1080p is fine for lightweight sharing, 1440p keeps UI text sharper, and 4K is best for polished demos or marketing videos.

Can I calculate MacBook screen resolution?

Yes. Use the MacBook presets or enter your Mac display width, height, and diagonal size manually.

Common Screen Resolutions Compared

A quick reference for the most widely used display resolutions, their pixel counts, and typical use cases.

Name	Resolution	Pixels	Use Case
HD (720p)	1280×720	0.9 MP	Budget monitors, streaming
Full HD (1080p)	1920×1080	2.1 MP	Most monitors, gaming, video
QHD (1440p)	2560×1440	3.7 MP	High-end monitors, creative work
4K UHD	3840×2160	8.3 MP	Pro monitors, video editing, TVs
5K	5120×2880	14.7 MP	Apple Studio Display, design
8K UHD	7680×4320	33.2 MP	Cinema, high-end production

How It Works

Enter dimensions

Type your screen’s width and height in pixels, or click a device preset to auto-fill common values.

Add screen size (optional)

Enter the diagonal size in inches to calculate PPI (pixels per inch) and density classification.

Read the results

See resolution standard, aspect ratio, total pixel count, megapixels, orientation, PPI, and density — all in real time.

Explore alternatives

Click any alternative resolution to see how the same aspect ratio looks at HD, Full HD, 4K, or 8K.

Understanding Screen Resolution, PPI & Pixel Density

Screen resolution is the number of pixels a display can render, expressed as width × height (e.g., 1920×1080). More pixels means finer detail, which matters for text legibility, photo editing, and video production.

PPI (pixels per inch) measures how tightly packed those pixels are on the physical screen. A 4K resolution on a 27″ monitor gives ~163 PPI, while the same 4K on a 13″ laptop reaches ~340 PPI. Higher PPI means sharper visuals at normal viewing distances — Apple calls displays above ~220 PPI "Retina."

Aspect ratio describes the proportional relationship between width and height. 16:9 is the standard for most monitors and TVs. Ultrawide monitors use 21:9 or 32:9. Matching your content's aspect ratio to the display avoids black bars or cropping.

For video creators and screen recorders, knowing your display's exact resolution ensures exports match the native pixel grid — no upscaling artifacts, no wasted pixels, and crisp playback on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is screen resolution?

Screen resolution is the number of pixels displayed horizontally and vertically on a screen, written as width × height (e.g., 1920×1080). It determines how much detail your display can show. Higher resolutions pack more pixels into the same area, producing sharper images and text.

What is PPI and how is it calculated?

PPI (pixels per inch) measures pixel density — how many pixels fit in one inch of screen. It's calculated as: PPI = √(width² + height²) ÷ diagonal size in inches. Higher PPI means individual pixels are harder to see, resulting in a smoother, sharper image. Most modern phones have 400+ PPI, while desktop monitors range from 90 to 220 PPI.

What PPI is considered "Retina" quality?

Apple defines "Retina" as a pixel density where individual pixels can't be distinguished at a normal viewing distance. For phones held at ~10 inches, that's around 300+ PPI. For laptops at ~18 inches, it's about 220 PPI. For desktop monitors at ~24 inches, roughly 110–140 PPI is sufficient for most users, though 160+ PPI produces noticeably sharper text.

What resolution should I use for screen recording?

Record at your display's native resolution for the sharpest output. If file size is a concern, 1080p (1920×1080) is the most common delivery resolution — it's supported everywhere and keeps files manageable. For tutorials or demos where text clarity matters, 1440p or 4K produces noticeably better results when viewed in full screen.

Is 4K worth it on a 27-inch monitor?

Yes — 4K on a 27″ monitor gives about 163 PPI, a significant upgrade over 1440p at ~109 PPI. You'll notice sharper text, cleaner icons, and more screen real estate for creative tools. The trade-off is higher GPU demand for gaming. For productivity, design, and video editing, 4K at 27″ is a sweet spot.

How does aspect ratio affect video content?

Aspect ratio determines how your video fills the screen. 16:9 is the universal standard for YouTube, streaming, and most displays. 9:16 is used for vertical content (TikTok, Reels, Stories). 21:9 is for ultrawide cinematic content. If your recording doesn't match the playback aspect ratio, you'll get black bars (letterboxing) or cropped edges.