What Is QHD/WQHD Resolution? Quad High Definition Explained (2024)

What Is QHD/WQHD Resolution? Quad High Definition Explained (1)

1440p is also called QHD (quad high definition) or WQHD (wide quad high definition) and is a display resolution that measures 2560 x 1440 pixels. This resolution is also commonly referred to as 2K.

Resolution explains how many pixels a display has in width x height format. The more pixels a display has, the sharper its image quality should be. QHD resolution gets its name for offering four times the definition of standard HD, aka 720p(1280 x 720 resolution).

QHD screens are noticeably sharper than Full HD (FHD), aka 1080presolution (1920 x 1080) models, which are much more common and cheaper. This higher resolution also makes going to screens larger than 27 inches without seeing individual pixels more feasible when shopping for a PC monitor. However, a QHD screen will eat up more battery with laptops than an FHD display.

What About WQHD?

You may also see QHD resolution referred to as WQHD, which stands for wide quad high definition. These two acronyms represent the same resolution; WQHD is a marketing technique to emphasize the wide-screen format of the resolution.

However, vendors will also label ultra-wide monitors as WQHD even though they don't have 2560 horizontal pixels. This is because they still have 1440 vertical pixels but have more horizontal pixels for a wider aspect ratio than 2560 x 1440's 16:9 aspect ratio.An example would be the 3440 x 1440 resolution in the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240.

Common Display Resolutions

5K5120 x 2880
4K3840 x 2160 (typical monitor resolution); 4096 x 2160 (official cinema resolution)
Ultra HD (UHD)3840 x 2160
QHD aka WQHD aka 1440p2560 x 1440
2K2560 x 1440 (typical monitor resolution); 2048 x 1080 (official cinema resolution)
WUXGA1920 x 1200
Full HD (FHD) aka 1080p aka HD1920 x 1080
HD aka 720p1280 x 720

This article is part of the Tom's Hardware Glossary.

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  • sonarctica

    Shame they got the term wrong. 2k is 2048x1080, not 1440p which is 2560 wide aka 2.5k. And majority of the market is misinformed that way as usual.

    Reply

  • USAFRet

    sonarctica said:

    Shame they got the term wrong. 2k is 2048x1080, not 1440p which is 2560 wide aka 2.5k. And majority of the market is misinformed that way as usual.

    3 years later....

    Please don't dredge up ancient threads.

    Reply

What Is QHD/WQHD Resolution? Quad High Definition Explained (2024)

FAQs

What Is QHD/WQHD Resolution? Quad High Definition Explained? ›

What does WQHD stand for, and what does it mean for displays? WQHD stands for wide quad high definition. It's a display resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, offering clearer and more detailed images compared to full high definition (Full HD) (1920x1080).

What is QHD WQHD wide quad high definition? ›

QHD (Quad HD) or WQHD (Wide Quad HD) is the designation for a commonly used display resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels in a 16:9 aspect ratio. As a graphics display resolution between 1080p and 4K, Quad HD is regularly used in smartphone displays, and for computer and console gaming.

What is the difference between WQHD and QHD resolution? ›

These two acronyms represent the same resolution; WQHD is a marketing technique to emphasize the wide-screen format of the resolution.

Is QHD better than 4K? ›

QHD resolution stands at 2560 x 1440 pixels. This is called Quad HD since it contains four times as many pixels as 720p or "full HD." 4K resolution, also known as 2160p, measures 3840 x 2160 pixels overall. This provides almost 8 million pixels per image, 77% greater pixel density than QHD's 3.6 million pixels.

What is the difference between WQHD and QHD display? ›

QHD offers a big improvement over FHD in terms of image quality, making it a compelling choice for every user seeking a sharper and more detailed viewing experience. The higher resolution allows users to comfortably run multiple applications side by side on a single display, enhancing productivity.

Is WQHD better than Full HD? ›

The WQHD has almost twice the amount of pixels as the FHD. "FHD (Full HD) has 1,920 x 1,080 resolution (2,073,600 pixels in total), the WQHD (Wide Quad HD, or just QHD) has 2,560 x 1,440 resolution (3,686,400 pixels in total) with the same 5.1″ screen."

What is the difference between 4K and WQHD? ›

WQHD is less demanding on your hardware compared to 4K resolution, which means you can achieve higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. While 4K offers unmatched visual fidelity, WQHD provides an excellent gaming experience without the need for top-tier hardware.

Is QHD really worth it? ›

For professional photographers and videographers, QHD resolution is essential for editing photos and videos. The increased pixel density allows for more accurate cropping and zooming. QHD resolution also offers improved colour accuracy, making it easier for colour adjustments.

What are the benefits of WQHD? ›

It's a display resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, offering clearer and more detailed images compared to full high definition (Full HD) (1920x1080). With WQHD, you'll enjoy sharper text, better graphics, and enhanced video quality, making it perfect for gaming, design, and productivity.

What is the best resolution for a QHD monitor? ›

Quad HD (2560x1440).

QHD gaming monitors offer a significant upgrade in visual clarity compared to Full HD. Gamers who value both visual quality and performance typically prefer 1440p monitor gaming because it delivers state-of-the-art graphics without requiring the most high-end hardware.

Can you tell the difference between QHD and UHD? ›

The primary difference between QHD and UHD is the resolution. The resolution of UHD is 3840 x 2160, while the resolution of QHD is 2560 x 1440. That's a difference of 2.25X. So, in terms of details and image quality, UHD is way better than QHD.

Why is it called Quad HD? ›

Images displayed on a QHD monitor will be sharper, better defined and more detailed, while still in the familiar 16:9 aspect ratio. “Quad” in this context means four, because QHD is four times the resolution of the original high definition screens: 1280 x 720 (a total of 921,600 pixels).

Does 4K look a lot better than 1440p? ›

4K resolutions have more pixels than 1440p, thus delivering crisper and clearer images. However, it trades off performance for sharper details in gaming and is more expensive than a 1440p which balances performance and display quality well.

What is 2560x1440 QHD WQHD wide quad high definition? ›

QHD (Quad High Definition) is a type of high-definition phone, laptop and TV screen resolution that measures 2560 x 1440 pixels. It provides a sharper, clearer image than HD, but it doesn't provide the colour density and clarity of 4K.

What size monitor is best for WQHD? ›

The WQHD (2560×1440) resolution is ideal for 27-inch monitors. At this resolution, you'll be at around 108 PPI – a really good balance between picture clarity, detail, and screen size.

What does WQHD stand for? ›

WQHD (Wide Quad High Definition) is a wider version of QHD – the 'W' stands for the 'wide' with 3440 x 1440 pixels.

What is better QHD or 1080p? ›

2K (QHD) Resolution

It is referred to as QHD because it has 4 times the pixels as 720p. These added pixels allow for a wider image and more detailed recording. When you zoom in on a 2K video, it will retain more clarity compared to a 1080p video.

Is 1440p 2K or 4K? ›

2K displays are those whose width falls in the 2,000-pixel range. More often than not, you'll find 2K monitors with a display resolution of 2560x1440, that's why it's often shortened to 1440p. However, this resolution is officially considered Quad HD (QHD). As such, many monitors claim their resolution as 2K QHD.

What is UltraWide QHD? ›

3440 x 1440 refers to a display resolution commonly known as UltraWide Quad HD (UWQHD) or 1440p UltraWide. It means the display has a width of 3440 pixels and a height of 1440 pixels. This results in a total pixel count of approximately 4.95 million pixels.

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