Video Resolution Calculator

Our video resolution calculator helps filmmakers, content creators, and video editors determine optimal export settings. Calculate pixel dimensions, estimate file sizes, compare bitrate requirements, and understand how resolution choices impact storage, bandwidth, and visual quality across different delivery platforms.

Choosing the right video resolution involves balancing quality, file size, and compatibility. Higher resolutions like 4K and 8K deliver stunning detail but require significantly more storage and processing power. This calculator provides the data you need to make informed decisions about camera settings, export formats, and delivery specifications.

How Video Resolution Is Measured in Horizontal and Vertical Pixels

Video resolution expresses frame dimensions as width × height in pixels. A 1920×1080 video contains 2,073,600 pixels per frame—over 2 million discrete points of color information. Modern naming conventions use vertical pixels (1080p, 1440p, 2160p) for HD formats and horizontal pixels (4K, 8K) for ultra-high-definition content, which can cause confusion when comparing specifications.

Frame Rate Impact on Video Quality and File Size

Frame rate (measured in frames per second or fps) determines motion smoothness. Standard video uses 24fps (cinema), 25fps (PAL broadcast), or 30fps (NTSC broadcast). Higher frame rates like 60fps and 120fps capture smoother motion ideal for sports, gaming, and action content—but double or quadruple the data compared to 30fps at the same resolution.

Progressive vs Interlaced Scanning in Video Formats

The "p" in 1080p indicates progressive scanning where each frame displays completely. Interlaced formats (1080i) alternate between odd and even scan lines, reducing bandwidth but potentially causing visible combing artifacts in motion. Modern displays and streaming exclusively use progressive formats, though broadcast television still employs interlacing in some regions.

The Relationship Between Bitrate, Resolution, and Quality

Bitrate measures data processed per second (typically in Mbps). Higher resolutions require proportionally higher bitrates to maintain quality—a 4K video needs approximately 4× the bitrate of 1080p for equivalent quality. Insufficient bitrate causes compression artifacts like blocking, banding, and loss of fine detail, particularly in high-motion scenes.

Video Codec Efficiency: H.264 vs H.265 vs AV1

Modern video codecs dramatically affect file size at equivalent quality. H.265 (HEVC) achieves the same quality as H.264 at approximately 50% smaller file sizes. The newer AV1 codec offers an additional 30% efficiency improvement over H.265. Codec choice impacts both storage requirements and streaming bandwidth, with newer codecs requiring more processing power for encoding and playback.

Estimating Video File Size from Duration and Settings

Calculate approximate file size using: File Size = (Bitrate × Duration) ÷ 8. A 10-minute 1080p video at 8 Mbps produces approximately 600 MB. The same content at 4K (35 Mbps) would require 2.6 GB. Add audio bitrate (typically 128-320 kbps) for total file size estimation. Our calculator automates these computations across all standard resolution and bitrate combinations.

YouTube, Vimeo, and Social Media Video Specifications

YouTube recommends uploading in the highest resolution available (up to 8K) as it automatically generates multiple quality options. For optimal quality, upload at minimum 1080p with high bitrate—YouTube's compression is aggressive, so source files should exceed platform minimums. Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have specific aspect ratio preferences (9:16 vertical, 1:1 square) that may require resolution adjustments.

Professional Broadcast and Cinema Resolution Standards

Broadcast television typically requires 1080i or 1080p delivery, while cinema uses DCI 2K (2048×1080) or DCI 4K (4096×2160). Professional workflows often capture at higher than delivery resolution—shooting 6K or 8K for 4K delivery allows reframing, stabilization, and quality preservation through post-production processing.

Web Video and Mobile Device Optimization

For website embedding and mobile viewing, 1080p often provides the best balance between quality and load times. Consider that mobile networks may throttle video bandwidth—providing adaptive bitrate streaming (HLS or DASH) with multiple resolution options ensures smooth playback across varying connection speeds while maintaining quality for users with strong connectivity.