You want to know how to find the resolution of your monitor, and the good news is it’s very simple. The quickest way is to check your computer’s display settings, which will show you the current resolution in just a few clicks.

This guide will first show you that basic step for Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS. Then, we will go much further to help you verify you’re using the best possible setting, fix common problems if you can’t select the right resolution, and explain how to use this knowledge to improve your games and apps.

How to Know the Resolution of My Monitor in System Settings

The most universal method to know your monitor’s resolution is to look in your operating system’s display settings menu. This shows the resolution currently being sent to your screen.

Checking Resolution on Windows 10 and 11

On a Windows PC, the process is almost identical across recent versions. You start by right-clicking on any empty area of your desktop. This action opens a context menu with a list of options.

From that menu, you will select “Display settings.” This opens the main display configuration window for Windows. Once there, scroll down until you see the section labeled “Display resolution.”

Click the dropdown box there. The number with “(Recommended)” next to it is your display’s native resolution, which is typically the sharpest and correct setting for your monitor. This is the resolution your system is currently using.

Checking Resolution on macOS

If you use an Apple Mac, the process is just as straightforward. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen to open the main menu. From there, select “System Settings.”

In the System Settings window, find and click on “Displays.” A new window will appear showing your connected screen or screens. The current resolution will be displayed clearly, often with a “Default for display” note indicating the optimal setting.

You may need to click “Advanced” or a similar button to see a full list of other resolutions you could choose.

Checking Resolution on ChromeOS

For Chromebooks and ChromeOS devices, start by clicking on the digital clock area in the bottom-right corner of your screen. This opens the quick settings panel. Click the gear icon labeled “Settings” to open the full settings menu.

On the left side, select “Device,” and then choose “Displays.” Your screen’s current resolution will be shown here, and you can select the dropdown to see other available options for your monitor.

Is This Your Monitor’s True Best Resolution?

Seeing a number in your system settings answers the basic question. However, a critical next step is asking if that setting is your monitor’s true native resolution. The setting in Windows or macOS shows the signal your computer is sending, but your monitor has a fixed grid of physical pixels called its native resolution.

For the absolute sharpest and clearest image, the signal from your computer should match this native grid exactly. If they don’t match, the monitor or graphics card has to stretch or compress the image, which can make text and icons look slightly blurry.

How to Find Your Monitor’s Native Resolution

You have a few reliable ways to discover this spec independently of your computer’s settings. This verification ensures you are getting the full quality you paid for.

First, use the physical buttons on your monitor to open its On-Screen Display (OSD) menu. Navigate through the menu—often in an “Information” or “System” section—to find a listing for its native resolution. This information comes directly from the monitor itself.

Second, look for the model number on a label on the back, front, or base of your monitor. Search for this exact model number on the manufacturer’s website. The product specifications page will list the definitive native resolution.

Third, open your graphics card control panel, like the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin Software. In the “Display” section, there is usually a “Display Information” page that details the monitor’s reported native resolution, which can be more precise than the Windows list.

What If You Can’t Select The Right Resolution?

A common frustration happens when you know your monitor supports a high resolution like 1440p or 4K, but that option simply doesn’t appear in your display settings list. This problem turns a simple guide into a needed diagnosis, and it usually comes down to three main causes.

Outdated or Missing Graphics Drivers

Your graphics driver is the essential software that lets your computer talk to your monitor. If it’s old, corrupted, or missing, your system won’t know what resolutions your display can handle.

To fix this, you need to update your drivers. You can do this through Windows Update or, for a more complete version, directly from the website of your graphics card maker (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel). Installing the correct driver often instantly unlocks the full list of your monitor’s capabilities.

Cable and Connection Limitations

The cable connecting your computer to your monitor is a highway for data. Older cables have lower bandwidth, which can act like a narrow bridge that blocks high-resolution signals.

For example, an old VGA cable or a Single-Link DVI cable cannot carry a 1440p signal. Even some older HDMI cables might not support the latest high resolutions at higher refresh rates. For modern high-resolution monitors, using a DisplayPort cable or a modern High-Speed HDMI cable is almost always the best and most reliable choice.

Graphics Card Capability

Your graphics card, or GPU, has a maximum resolution it can output. An older or entry-level card might not support a very high resolution like 4K. You can check your GPU’s specs by looking up its model name (found in Device Manager under “Display adapters”) online.

This will tell you its maximum supported resolution. If your monitor’s top resolution exceeds what your GPU can handle, you will not see it as an available option until you upgrade your graphics hardware.

Using Your Resolution Effectively

Now that you know your monitor’s resolution, what does that number actually mean for your daily use? Understanding this context helps you optimize everything from desktop icons to game graphics.

Adjusting Scale for Better Readability

On very high-resolution monitors, like 4K displays, individual pixels are extremely small. This makes images incredibly sharp, but it can also make text and icons appear tiny and hard to read.

To fix this, both Windows and macOS offer a scaling setting. This setting effectively zooms in on the interface without changing the underlying resolution, so you keep the sharpness while making everything a comfortable size. You can find this in the same Display Settings or System Settings menu where you found the resolution.

Setting the Right Resolution in Games

For the best gaming experience, you should set the in-game resolution to match your monitor’s native resolution. Open the graphics or video settings menu in any game. There will be a resolution dropdown.

Select the option that matches your screen’s native resolution (e.g., 1920×1080, 2560×1440). This ensures the game renders at the full clarity your monitor can display. Choosing a lower resolution in games will make the image look softer or fuzzier.

Matching Resolution to Your Tasks

Different resolutions suit different needs. A standard 1080p (1920×1080) monitor is great for general office work and is easy for most computers to run. A 1440p (2560×1440) monitor offers more screen real estate and sharper detail, excellent for productivity and immersive gaming if you have a capable GPU.

A 4K (3840×2160) monitor provides stunning detail for photo editing, video work, and high-end gaming, but it requires a powerful computer to run smoothly. Knowing your number helps you understand what your setup is best suited for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will checking the resolution change anything on my screen?

No, simply looking at the resolution setting is a view-only action. Your screen will only change if you select a different resolution from the dropdown menu and choose to apply or keep that new setting.

What is the difference between screen resolution and refresh rate?

Screen resolution is the number of pixels that make up the image, determining its clarity and detail. Refresh rate is how many times per second the image on the screen updates, measured in Hertz (Hz), which affects how smooth motion appears.

How does monitor resolution affect gaming performance?

A higher monitor resolution requires your graphics card to draw many more pixels for every frame. This is more demanding work, which can lower your game’s frame rate (FPS). To game smoothly at high resolutions like 1440p or 4K, you need a more powerful graphics card.

My second monitor shows a different list of resolutions. Why?

This is completely normal. Each monitor has its own unique native resolution and capabilities. Your computer detects these specs independently for each display and provides a customized list of supported resolutions for each one in the display settings.

Can a program or website tell me my monitor resolution?

Yes, many system information utilities can detect and display your resolution. Additionally, you can search for “display checker” or “what is my screen resolution” in your web browser, and several websites will use browser tools to detect and show your current resolution.

What do the two numbers in a resolution actually mean?

The two numbers represent the count of pixels on your screen. The first number is the count of pixels from left to right (the width). The second number is the count of pixels from top to bottom (the height). A resolution of 1920×1080 means the display shows a grid of 1920 pixels across and 1080 pixels down.

Does connecting a laptop to a TV change its resolution?

Yes, when you connect an external display like a TV, you can configure its resolution independently. In your display settings, you can choose to duplicate your laptop screen (same resolution on both) or extend your desktop, where you can set a different, often higher, resolution specifically for the TV.

What is the “recommended” resolution in display settings?

The “recommended” label is your operating system’s best guess, based on the information from your monitor and graphics driver, at what your display’s native resolution is. You should almost always use this setting for the clearest image.

Is a higher resolution always better?

Not necessarily. While higher resolutions are sharper, the benefit depends on your screen’s physical size, how far you sit from it, and whether your computer is powerful enough to run it well. A very high resolution on a small screen or with a weak computer may not provide a good experience.

How do I find my monitor’s model number?

The model number is almost always printed on a sticker or label on the back of the monitor. It is sometimes also found on the front bezel, the base or stand, or within the information page of the monitor’s own on-screen display (OSD) menu.

Knowing how to find the resolution of your monitor is the first step toward taking control of your display. You’ve moved from just finding a number to verifying it’s the optimal native resolution, troubleshooting selection issues, and applying that knowledge to improve your computer use. With this complete understanding, you can now ensure you’re getting the best possible picture quality from your screen for work, play, and everything in between.