720p Resolution Dimensions
720p (HD) is 1280 pixels wide and 720 pixels tall, a 16:9 aspect ratio with 0.9 million pixels, 44% as many as 1080p. It is also called HD.
Is my screen 720p?
Turn on JavaScript to compare your screen with 720p. The check runs in your browser.
How sharp is 720p at each screen size?
720p at 24 in gives 61 pixels per inch, against 34 at 43 in. Beyond the distance shown, 20/20 vision cannot pick out single pixels.
Seen from a desk, 720p looks soft at every desk size from 24 to 43 in. Windows runs 720p at 100% on every size here, so nothing needs enlarging.
Where is 720p used?
720p is the old HD standard, still used on small budget TVs, webcams and some live streams. On a modern monitor it looks soft, as each pixel is large. Video calls often drop to it to save bandwidth.
How does 720p compare with other resolutions?
720p has 44% the pixels of 1080p. Each row below divides its pixel count by the other resolution.
Nothing in our chart has fewer pixels. 1366 × 768, the next step up, has a few more pixels than 720p.
What does 720p look like with display scaling?
Scaling keeps every pixel but draws text and windows bigger, so you get less desktop space. At 150%, 720p gives the room of 853 × 480 with the sharpness of 1280 × 720.
Try any resolution and scale in the resolution scale calculator. Phones and Macs work the same way, with a pixel ratio of 2 or 3.
How do I set my screen to 720p?
On Windows, open Settings, then System, then Display, and pick 1280 × 720 under Display resolution. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Displays.
You only see resolutions your screen and graphics card support. Pick your screen's native resolution, marked Recommended on Windows, or the picture looks soft.
How much data does 720p use?
One 720p frame holds 921,600 pixels, 2.8 MB before compression at 8 bits per color. At 60 frames a second that is 1.3 gigabits every second, and 3.2 at 144.
Streaming services and game consoles compress this heavily. Cables carry it uncompressed, so higher resolutions and refresh rates need newer HDMI or DisplayPort versions.
More questions about 720p
How many pixels is 720p?
720p is 1280 × 720, which is 921,600 pixels in total. That is 0.9 megapixels.
What screen size suits 720p?
On a 24 in screen, 720p gives 61 pixels per inch, and on 43 in it gives 34. Smaller screens look sharper, so pick the size for how far away you sit.
What is 720p at 150% scaling?
A desktop space of 853 × 480. Every item is drawn 1.5 times bigger, using all 1280 × 720 pixels, so text stays as sharp as the panel allows.
How much data is one 720p frame?
2.8 MB before compression, at 8 bits per color. At 60 frames a second that is 1.3 gigabits every second, which is why video is compressed.
Does 720p look the same on every screen?
No. The pixel count is fixed, but the pixels get bigger as the screen gets bigger. The table above shows how sharp 720p looks at each size.
How we measure
Pixel density is the pixel diagonal, √(width² + height²), divided by the screen diagonal in inches. Single pixels vanish for 20/20 vision beyond 3438 ÷ PPI inches. Windows scaling is PPI ÷ 96, rounded to a 25% step.