Windows 10 shows the current display resolution in Display settings. The resolution is expressed as horizontal by vertical pixels, such as 1920 × 1080. For the sharpest desktop image, an LCD display usually works best at its native or recommended resolution.
Check your screen resolution in Windows 10
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select Display settings.
- Scroll to Display resolution.
- Read the resolution currently selected.
- If you have multiple monitors, select the correct display first and check its resolution separately.
Recommended usually means the display’s native choice
Windows commonly labels the resolution it considers best for the monitor as Recommended. Choosing a lower resolution can make text and images look larger but also less sharp. Use Windows scaling when you want larger interface elements without unnecessarily lowering resolution.
Resolution is not refresh rate
Resolution describes pixel dimensions, while refresh rate describes how many times per second the display refreshes. Advanced display settings can show refresh-rate information. A gaming monitor may support several combinations of resolution and refresh rate.
If the expected resolution is missing
Check the monitor connection, cable/adapter capability, graphics driver, and GPU/display specifications. Docking stations and older HDMI or DisplayPort adapters can limit available modes even when both the computer and monitor support a higher resolution.
Do not install generic driver-updater software just to unlock a resolution. Use Windows Update or the PC/GPU manufacturer’s official driver source.
When reporting a display problem, note both the current and recommended resolutions along with the monitor model and connection type. Those details make compatibility problems much easier to diagnose.
Scaling changes size without changing pixel count
Windows display scaling can make text, icons, and applications larger while leaving the monitor at its native resolution. If 1920 × 1080 or another recommended resolution looks too small, try an appropriate scaling percentage before lowering the resolution. Some older applications may need to be reopened before a scaling change displays correctly.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.