Check Your Screen Resolution

Your screen resolution is the number of pixels that your monitor displays. The number is generally expressed as Width x Height (e.g., 1920px x 1080px). More pixels usually means clearer text and images. Current digital flat screens feature greater pixel density than ever. Setting your display to the correct resolution can make using your computer much easier on the eyes.

Steps

Before You Start

  1. Learn some common terms. There are a few terms that will help you when you're changing your screen resolution:
    • Pixel - A pixel is a small point of light in your monitor that changes color depending on what's being displayed. All of the pixels in your monitor work together to display the image that you see.
    • Resolution - This is the "size" of your display measured by pixels. For example, the resolution "1366 x 768" means that the display is being shown at 1366 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically. At higher resolutions, objects on the screen will be smaller and sharper.
    • Native (recommended) resolution - This is the physical number of pixels in your monitor, and is usually the highest resolution that can be displayed. Selecting this resolution will result in the clearest image.
    • Aspect ratio - Since widescreen monitors are very common this isn't as big of an issue anymore. The aspect ratio is the ratio between the width and height of the monitor. Old CRT monitors and early flat panels were 4:3. Nearly all modern monitors are 16:9. 16:10 "cinematic" monitors are becoming popular as well.
  2. Find the native resolution of your monitor. Knowing the native resolution of your monitor will help you quickly get the clearest image. In Windows 7, 8, and most versions OS X, the recommended resolution will be labeled. Below are some common resolutions for monitors:
    • Desktop widescreen monitors are usually 1920 x 1080, though 2560 x 1440 and 3440 x 1440 are becoming more popular. Older 4:3 flat panels may be 1280 x 1024.
    • Laptop monitors are usually 1366 x 768, though 1280 x 800, 1600 x 900, and 1920 x 1080 are also common.
    • MacBook Pro 13"s (2012 and later) have a resolution of 2560 x 1600. Full-size MacBook Pro Retina displays are 2880 x 1800.
    • "4K" desktop monitors are usually 3840 x 2160. iMac 5K displays are 5120 x 2880.

Windows

  1. Right-click on your desktop. This is the quickest way to access your display controls.[1]
  2. Select "Screen resolution" (8 and 7), "Personalize" (Vista), or "Properties" (XP). This will open your display settings.
    • Windows Vista: Click "Display Settings" option in the Personalization menu.
    • Windows XP: Click the "Settings" tab after selecting "Properties".
  3. Select your active display (if necessary). Select the display that you want to check the resolution for. Click the Identify button to display numbers on each of your screens so that you can select the right one.
    • If you only have one display you can skip this step.
  4. Note your current resolution. Your current resolution will be shown in the "Resolution" drop-down menu or slider.
  5. Check if the current resolution says "Recommended". The Recommended resolution is the native resolution of your monitor. Selecting this will result in the clearest image.
    • Windows Vista and XP do not display the "Recommended" resolution. You will need to refer to your monitor's manual to determine the native resolution.
  6. Change your resolution using the slider. Clicking the "Resolution" drop-down menu in Windows 7 and 8 will display the slider. Drag the slider to change the display resolution on your monitor. Resolutions other than the recommended one will result in a blurry, stretched, or squished image.
    • Selecting a lower resolution will increase the size of objects on your screen.
    • If you don't know the native resolution of your monitor, set it to the highest possible option for the clearest image.
  7. Click Apply after changing your settings. Your screen may flicker and shut off, and then the new resolution will be displayed. You will be asked to keep the changes or revert to your old settings. If you don't pick an option after 15 seconds, the image will automatically revert.
    • If you want to keep your changes, click Keep changes.
    • If you don't see an image after changing your settings, just wait for it to revert.

Mac

  1. Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences". By default, OS X will choose the native resolution for your display, giving you in the clearest image. You can change this if a program calls for a certain resolution or you need to adjust the size of objects on your screen.
  2. Click the "Displays" option and then click the "Display" tab. You can select the display you want to adjust if you have multiple monitors.
  3. Select the "Scaled" option to change your resolution. By default, the "Best for display" option will be selected. This will set the display at your monitor's native resolution. Select "Scaled" if you want to choose a different option.
  4. Select the resolution you want to use. Options labeled "low resolution" will result in a blurry image. Options labeled "stretched" will result in objects on your screen appearing wider or skinnier than normal.[2]
    • You may be able to select resolutions higher than your monitor's native resolution. This will make objects even smaller, but can have a big impact on your computer's speed.
    • When you select a resolution, the change will take place immediately.
  5. Wait if your picture doesn't appear after changing. If you don't see an image after selecting a new resolution, wait 15 seconds for it to revert. If it still doesn't revert, press Esc.
    • If your image still won't revert, Start-Your-Mac-in-Safe-Mode and select a new resolution.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/getting-best-display-monitor#getting-best-display-monitor=windows-vista
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19043?locale=en_US
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