Formats & specs
Resolution: definition and examples
What is Resolution?
Resolution is the total number of pixels that make up a video frame, measured horizontally and vertically, and it determines how sharp and detailed the image appears. Common values include 1280x720 (HD), 1920x1080 (Full HD), and 3840x2160 (4K), with the shorthand number, such as 1080, referring to the vertical pixel count.
Video resolutions
| Name | Pixels | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 480p (SD) | 854 × 480 | Low; looks soft on modern phones |
| 720p (HD) | 1280 × 720 | Minimum for clean playback |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 1920 × 1080 | Standard for short-form |
| 4K (UHD) | 3840 × 2160 | High detail, large file size |
When you'd use it
- 1When a video looks soft or pixelated after upload and you want to check the source quality.
- 2When setting up an export and need to confirm the output matches platform requirements.
- 3When repurposing footage from an older shoot and need to verify it meets current quality standards.
- 4When a platform specifies a minimum resolution and the source file needs to meet it.
Example
A creator shoots a product unboxing at 4K to give the editor flexibility. In post, they crop a tight close-up of the label without zooming in-camera, and the final 1080p export still looks sharp because there was enough pixel budget to work with.
Use cases
- 1Exporting a short-form clip at 1080p to meet the minimum quality threshold for most social platforms.
- 2Checking source footage resolution before cropping from 16:9 to 9:16 to confirm enough pixels remain.
- 3Downscaling a 4K export to 1080p to reduce file size without visible quality loss on mobile screens.
FAQ
Does uploading in 4K make my video look better on social platforms?
It depends on the platform's processing. TikTok and Instagram compress uploads significantly, so their encoder sets the quality ceiling. Your source file does not raise the quality past that point. 1080p with a high bitrate often produces results as good as, or better than, a 4K upload that gets compressed down anyway.
Make on-brand short-form video from the footage you already have.