Monitor Buying Guide

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Why resolution matters for your monitor

Resolution is a critical component in choosing a right computer monitor for you. Whatever you use your monitor for—gaming, professional design, or if you’re just looking to watching high-definition content—the resolution significantly impacts your visual experience. Understanding monitor resolution, how it works, and how it influences your tasks can help you make an informed decision on what resolution is best for you and find the perfect monitor.

Here, you can find everything you need to know about monitor resolutions, including what resolution is, some of the most common monitor resolutions, how it’s related to pixel density, and how to choose the best resolution for your needs.

What does resolution even mean?

Monitor resolution is the number of pixels displayed on the screen that make up the image you see. The resolution is typically represented by two numbers: the first indicating the number of horizontal pixels and the second showing the number of vertical pixels. For example, a 1920x1080 resolution (commonly referred to as 1080p or Full HD) means the screen displays 1920 pixels horizontally and 1080 pixels vertically.

Higher resolution means more pixels, resulting in a sharper, more detailed image.

It’s important to note that resolution is different from screen size. While the screen size measures the physical dimensions of the monitor, the resolution refers to the pixel density or clarity of the display.

What are the most common resolutions?

There are several common resolutions in monitors available today, ranging from Full HD to the ultra-high definition 5K resolution. Each offers different levels of image clarity. A higher resolution means the screen can display more pixels to provide sharper details, more realistic images, and a larger working space.

FHD (1920x1080) shows an image of a turtle swimming next to the coral reef. QHD (2560x1440) shows more coral reefs surrounding the turtle and UHD (3840x2160) shows coral reefs and more fishes swimming close by. The scene zooms out to show a video editing app when the resolution is 5K (5120x2880).

Depending on what you use your monitor for, there is certainly the right level of detail in resolution for you.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common resolutions:

Full HD, FHD or 1080P (1920x1080)

Affordable for everyday use

1920x1080 Full HD is one of the most common modern resolutions and is known by a handful of names: Full HD, FHD or 1080p. This resolution is widely used for everyday computing, streaming, and gaming and suitable for general productivity requiring minimal system resources.

See FHD monitors
An office setup with a monitor displaying presentation slides. An office setup with a monitor displaying presentation slides.

Quad HD, or QHD (2560x1440)

A balanced option

At 2560x1440 pixels, Quad HD or QHD (sometimes, but not often also called 1440p) provides higher clarity than Full HD. It’s a popular choice for gamers and professionals who need a larger working space without sacrificing sharpness. QHD is often seen as the sweet spot between 1080p and 4K resolutions.

See QHD monitors
A monitor showing various data and graphs. A monitor showing various data and graphs.

4K
(3840x2160)

Gaming and videos excel here

4K, also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD), offers a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, four times that of Full HD. It delivers incredibly sharp visuals, making it perfect for gaming, video production, and multitasking. Its larger canvas allows multiple programs to run side-by-side without losing image quality.

See 4K monitors
A man editing an image on the monitor. A man editing an image on the monitor.

Introducing 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide monitors

Most of the traditional resolutions outlined above are for standard width monitors. But monitors also come in a variety of aspect ratios. The increasingly popular ultrawide options, 21:9 Ultra WQHD and even 32:9 Dual QHD, offer a broader field of view, making them a great choice for multitasking, immersive gaming, or video editing. These often use more unique resolutions from standard monitors to accommodate their width. If you’re interested in an ultrawide monitor, Samsung has a range designed for ultimate usability and performance.

21:9 Ultra WQHD

A 21:9 ultrawide format typically uses Ultra WQHD (UWQHD) resolution. At 3440x1440, it offers an immersive experience for both productivity and entertainment. The wider horizontal workspace is ideal for multitasking, allowing professionals to easily manage multiple windows. Gamers benefit from enhanced peripheral vision, making it perfect for immersive experiences in genres like racing, simulation, and first-person shooters.

See 21:9 Monitors

32:9 Dual QHD & Dual UHD

32:9 ultrawide monitors, such as Dual QHD (5120x1440) or Dual UHD (7680x2160), combine the workspace of two monitors into one seamless display. This format is perfect for multitasking, allowing users to manage multiple applications or data streams without interruptions. Gamers also benefit from an immersive panoramic view, enhancing peripheral vision for racing, simulation, and first-person shooter games.

See 32:9 Monitors

Does a larger screen need more pixels?

Pixel density is what brings the resolution of a monitor and the size of the screen together. Measured in pixels per inch (PPI), pixel density explains how many pixels are packed into a given area of the screen. The higher the PPI, the sharper and more detailed the image will appear, especially on smaller displays.

Pixel density is crucial because even at the same resolution, larger screens will have lower PPI, resulting in loss of detail. Therefore, if you prefer a monitor with a large screen, it’s important to choose one with a relatively high resolution to ensure high picture quality.

* PPI (pixels per inch) values may vary slightly between monitors due to differences in the precise screen dimensions.

How do I check my monitor's resolution?

If you’re not sure what resolution you’re currently using, it’s easy to find this information through your device’s display settings. On Windows, right-click on the desktop, select "Display Settings," and your resolution will be displayed under the "Display Resolution" option. On macOS, you can find this under the "Displays" section in "System Preferences."

Additionally, if you're using a Samsung monitor, you can check the resolution directly on the monitor itself. Samsung monitors come with an On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, where you can view the current resolution. To access this:

  1. Press the Menu button on your monitor.
  2. Navigate to the Information menu within the OSD.
  3. Your monitor’s current resolution will be displayed in the information section.

Knowing what you know now about resolutions, you can decide whether this is right for you, or if you’re missing out on greater detail with a higher resolution monitor. 

* The On-Screen Display (OSD) menu name may vary depending on the monitor model.

Which resolution is best for me?

It’s clear that there are a lot of options for monitor resolutions. Everybody’s needs are different – so what is best for you? The below is a good general guide, but every person has their own preferences.

monitor buying guide by resolution

FHD (1920x1080)
  • Affordable and widely available
  • Great for low- to mid-range gaming setups
  • Ideal for general productivity without high performance demands

QHD (2560x1440)
  • Great balance between image quality and performance
  • Excellent for gaming, multitasking, and moderate creative work
  • Provides more screen space for productivity tasks

4K UHD (3840x2160)
  • Perfect for high-end gaming with detailed, immersive visuals
  • Essential for creative professionals needing precise pixel density
  • Ideal for video editing and content creation in 4K resolution

5K (5120x2880)
  • Best for professionals who need extremely high pixel density and color accuracy
  • Excellent for handling high-resolution video and detailed graphics work
  • Allows space for editing tools alongside 4K content

Ultra WQHD (3440x1440)
  • Offers a broader field of view, making it ideal for gaming genres like racing, simulation, and first-person shooters.
  • Great for watching movies or content in a cinematic format without black bars, thanks to its 21:9 aspect ratio.
  • Perfect for creative professionals who need extra horizontal space for multitasking, timelines, design tools, or multiple layers in editing software.

Dual QHD (5120x1440)
  • Effectively replaces two 1440p monitors side by side, offering a seamless workspace for multitasking without the bezel gap.
  • Provides an ultra-wide, immersive gaming experience with an extended peripheral view, enhancing situational awareness in games.
  • Excellent for content creators, financial analysts, and designers who need vast screen real estate for complex workflows like editing, financial modeling, or CAD applications.

Dual UHD (7680x2160)
  • Offers the equivalent of two 4K monitors, making it the ultimate wide screen without breaks between the screen or bevels
  • Ideal for professionals working with ultra high-resolution content, ensuring every pixel is visible and every detail is crisp.
  • Provides a massive, immersive view for gaming, as well as the ability to handle multiple high-resolution applications simultaneously without needing additional monitors.

Whatever your needs and wants for your monitor, the right resolution exists for you. You can explore Samsung’s entire lineup of monitors that offer resolution combined with the sizes and features to make the most out of your monitor.

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Got questions about monitors? Check out our quick-tip articles below for answers:

What to look for in a Gaming monitor
Why resolution matters for your monitor
Why choose a curved monitor?
Your guide to home office monitors for better productivity
Your one-stop monitor size guide
Everything you need to know about monitor refresh rates