Buzz
Screen resolution is determined by the number of pixels displayed on the screen. A higher pixel count results in sharper text and images. The resolution you can use on your computer depends on the specifications of your monitor and graphics card. The operating system typically selects the most suitable resolution for your screen and graphics card. Resolution is usually displayed as width x height in pixels (for example, 1920 x 1080) or using terms like 4K/UHD (which means 3840 x 2160) or Full HD/1080p (equivalent to 1920 x 1080). This article will guide you on how to find the resolution on a Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Steps
Windows
Right-click on an empty area of your computer screen. A context menu will appear here.
Click on Display settings. This action opens the Display settings window.
Check the resolution under "Display resolution." The current resolution is displayed in this menu. If you see "(Recommended)" next to the resolution, you are using the highest resolution supported by your hardware.
- If you have multiple monitors, they will appear in the top-right frame. Select the monitor you want to check.
- The options displayed are supported by your monitor and graphics card. For example, if you use a 4K monitor but don’t see the option to change the resolution to 4K (3840 x 2160), it’s because your graphics card doesn’t support it (or vice versa).
Select a different resolution from the menu (optional). If you’re using a resolution other than the recommended one, choose the Recommended option for the best results. Note that switching to a non-recommended resolution may cause images to appear blurry, stretched, or compressed.
- After selecting a new resolution, the display will change immediately. You’ll also see a prompt asking if you want to Keep changes or Revert. If the new resolution doesn’t look right, click Revert.
- If the screen turns black after changing the settings, the resolution is incompatible with your monitor—Windows will revert to the previous resolution after a moment to fix the issue.
Mac
Click the Apple menu and select About this Mac. The Apple menu is located in the top-left corner of the screen.
Click on the Displays tab. You’ll find this tab at the top of the window.
Locate the screen resolution. The resolution is displayed next to the screen size; for example: 23-inch (1920 x 1080).
- If your Mac is connected to multiple monitors, they will appear in the window—each with its resolution listed below.
Click on Displays Preferences if you want to change the resolution (optional). This button is located at the bottom-right corner. By default, the operating system determines and sets the best resolution for your display. You’re using the optimal resolution when "Default for display" is selected.
Select Scaled and choose a different resolution (optional). If you wish to change the resolution, you can do so after selecting Scaled. The options displayed are typically supported by your monitor and graphics card. For example, if you use a 4K monitor but don’t see the option to switch to 4K (3840 x 2160), it’s because your graphics card doesn’t support it (or vice versa).
- To change the resolution for a second monitor, hold the Option key while selecting Scaled.
- After selecting a resolution, the change will be applied immediately. If the screen turns black instead of displaying the new resolution, the resolution is incompatible with your monitor. The screen will automatically revert to the previous resolution after about 15 seconds. If not, press Esc to make the change.
- If the display doesn’t return to normal, you’ll need to boot your Mac into Safe Mode, click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, choose Displays, and click the Display tab. Then, select Default for display to reset the resolution. Finally, restart your Mac as usual.
Chromebook
Click on the time. You’ll find the time displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Click on the gear icon in the menu. This action opens the settings for your Chromebook.
Click on the Device tab. This tab is located in the left-hand panel.
Check the resolution next to the "Resolution" heading. The current resolution is displayed in the "Resolution" dropdown.
- If you want to change the resolution, click the dropdown and select a different option. The screen will update to the new resolution, and a window will appear asking if you want to keep this setting. Click Continue to apply the new resolution or Cancel to revert to the previous setting. After 10 seconds, the resolution will automatically revert to the original setting.
Tips
- A pixel is a tiny light point on the screen that changes color based on the displayed image. All pixels work together to form the images you see.
- Most high-resolution screens have an aspect ratio that prevents UI elements from becoming too small while still utilizing the screen's full resolution. This allows manufacturers to use high-resolution displays on smaller devices.
- Higher resolution means more pixels on the screen. If you lower the resolution, the images on the screen will appear larger.
