Resolution
Resolution
A value that indicates how finely a screen or image is rendered.
In Simple Terms
Resolution is a measure of how finely the color dots that make up images and videos are arranged. For example, a smartphone screen with high resolution can display fine details in photos with crisp clarity. Conversely, low resolution makes diagonal lines appear jagged or causes the overall image to look blurry. It's a commonly referenced metric when choosing TVs and computer monitors, or when adjusting camera settings.
Behind the Name
The word "resolution" comes from the verb "resolve," which means "to break apart" or "to separate." This reflects the idea of how finely a single image can be divided into individual points. In other words, resolution tells you how many tiny pieces an image is broken into—and the more pieces there are, the sharper and more detailed the result.
Take a Closer Look!
Resolution refers to a value that indicates how finely the dots—called pixels—that make up an image or screen are arranged.
Digital images are formed by many small color dots lined up in rows and columns.
The more dots there are, the finer and smoother the image appears.
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of resolution: screen resolution and print resolution.
Screen resolution indicates how many total dots exist on the display of a smartphone or TV.
Commonly heard terms like Full HD and 4K are the names of screen resolution standards.
Print resolution, on the other hand, represents how many dots fit within one inch of a printed surface.
This is often expressed using a unit called dpi.
When printing, a higher dpi value means photos come out sharper and clearer on paper.
Since increasing resolution too much can also increase file size, it's common practice to adjust it based on the intended use.