How many pixels is that?
Resolutions are quoted as two numbers, which hides how fast the pixel count grows. 4K is four times 1080p, not twice.
Almost exactly 1080p Full HD
2,073,600 pixels is bigger than 2 of the 9 references on this page.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| VGA, 640 × 480 | 307,200 pixels | 6.75× | |
| 720p HD | 921,600 pixels | 2.25× | |
| 1080p Full HD | 2,073,600 pixels | 1× | |
| 1440p QHD | 3,686,400 pixels | 0.563× | |
| 4K UHD | 8,294,400 pixels | 0.25× | |
| phone camera, 12 MP | 12,000,000 pixels | 0.173× | |
| 5K | 14,745,600 pixels | 0.141× | |
| 8K UHD | 33,177,600 pixels | 1/16 | |
| phone camera, 48 MP | 48,000,000 pixels | 1/23.1 |
Worth knowing
- 4K has four times the pixels of 1080p, not twice: both dimensions double, so the area quadruples.
- 8K has sixteen times the pixels of 1080p. At normal viewing distances most people cannot resolve the difference between 4K and 8K at all.
Frequently asked
Is 4K really four times better than 1080p?
It has four times the pixels. Whether you can see them depends on screen size and viewing distance: at 2.5 m, a 55-inch 4K set is at the edge of what a typical eye resolves.
Why is 4K called 4K when it is 2160p?
Because it is named for its horizontal resolution, about 4 000 pixels, following cinema convention. The older names counted vertical lines.