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Video Resolution Converter

Look up the exact pixel dimensions and total megapixels behind names like 1080p, 4K and 8K.

Result

Pixel Dimensions
1,920 x 1,080
Total Megapixels
2.1 MP

Consumer 4K (UHD) uses 3840x2160, matching exactly 4x the pixel count of 1080p. Cinema "DCI 4K" is a slightly different 4096x2160.

About the Video Resolution

This calculator translates the marketing names used for video resolution, such as 1080p, 4K, and 8K, into their exact pixel dimensions and the resulting total megapixel count. It helps anyone choosing between footage, displays, or export settings that are usually labeled with a shorthand name rather than a numeric pixel size.

How It Works

Select a resolution name from the dropdown, and the calculator looks up the matching standard pixel width and height from a fixed reference table, then multiplies them together to report the total megapixel count. There is no free-form pixel entry, so the output always corresponds to one of the six preset resolution standards.

Megapixels = (pixel width x pixel height) / 1,000,000, using the standard table: 480p = 854x480, 720p = 1280x720, 1080p = 1920x1080, 1440p = 2560x1440, 4K = 3840x2160, 8K = 7680x4320.

Examples

Comparing 1080p to 4K

Selecting 1080p returns 1920x1080 pixels and 2.1 MP; switching to 4K returns 3840x2160 pixels and 8.3 MP, exactly four times the pixel count of 1080p.

Checking an 8K Deliverable

Selecting 8K shows 7680x4320 pixels, or 33.2 MP, the resolution increasingly requested for large-format displays and future-proofed video archives.

Advantages

  • Removes guesswork when a spec sheet, camera menu, or export preset lists only a marketing name like QHD or UHD
  • Shows the exact megapixel count, useful for judging how a video resolution compares to a camera's still-photo megapixel rating
  • Covers the common range from SD through 8K in one lookup rather than needing six separate references

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming '4K' always equals exactly four times 1080p's pixel count when referring to cinema DCI 4K, which is slightly wider at 4096 pixels
  • Treating '1440p' and '2K' as interchangeable, when 2K more commonly refers to a roughly 2048-pixel-wide cinema standard rather than 2560x1440
  • Forgetting that the megapixel figure describes a single frame, not overall file size or data rate, which also depends on frame rate and codec

Edge Cases to Watch For

  • Only consumer UHD 4K (3840x2160) is included; cinema DCI 4K (4096x2160) uses a different, slightly wider frame and is not one of the six presets.
  • 480p is defined here as the widescreen 854x480 size rather than the older 4:3 640x480 standard-definition frame, which matters when working with legacy square-pixel SD footage.
  • If the selected resolution name does not match any entry in the lookup table, the calculator falls back to 1080p (1920x1080) instead of returning an error.

Common Use Cases

  • Video editors matching export settings to a client's stated resolution requirement
  • Buyers comparing a monitor, TV, or camera sensor's advertised resolution against a known reference size
  • Content creators deciding whether footage needs to be upscaled or downscaled to match a target platform's resolution standard
Written & fact-checked by the Calculateus TeamLast updated August 5, 2026How we verify our formulas

Frequently asked questions

Is 4K exactly 4 times the resolution of 1080p?

Yes for consumer 4K (3840x2160) - it's exactly double the width and double the height of 1080p (1920x1080), which multiplies out to 4 times the total pixel count and megapixels.

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Conclusion

Resolution names are convenient shorthand, but pixel dimensions are what actually determine sharpness, storage size, and hardware requirements. This calculator gives an instant translation between the two, using the pixel dimensions the video industry treats as standard for each named format.

References