Media workbench

Video resolution guide: 360p to 2160p

Resolution describes frame dimensions. It does not describe the whole picture.

Frame dimensionsEnter values

Label	Example dimensions	Pixels per frame	Relative to 1080p
360p	640 × 360	230,400	0.111×
480p	854 × 480	409,920	0.198×
720p	1280 × 720	921,600	0.444×
1080p	1920 × 1080	2,073,600	1×
1440p	2560 × 1440	3,686,400	1.778×
2160p / UHD	3840 × 2160	8,294,400	4×

These are common widescreen examples, not definitions for every aspect ratio. 480p is also found at other widths. UHD 2160p is 3840 × 2160; cinema 4K can mean a different frame width.

Four times the pixels is not always four times the file size

At the same total bitrate and duration, the estimated stream size is the same. More pixels may need a higher bitrate to preserve similar quality, but codec, motion, noise, frame rate and encoder settings all affect the result.

Choose for the viewing situation

Fine text and fast motion are harder tests than a static scene. Compare a sample on the actual screen. Increasing resolution after capture does not recreate missing detail.