How To Tell If Your Monitor Is 4K: A Quick Guide


For those looking for the best possible viewing experience, it’s hard to beat 4K monitors. While these types of monitors have always been expensive, the prices have come down several notches in the last few years. Still, you may want to double-check to see if you already have a monitor on hand capable of running 4K.

You can tell if your monitor is 4K by looking up the screen resolution. For consumers, the standard 4K resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels. 4K monitors offer crisp views at distances both near and far, unlike 1080p HD monitors that start to appear pixelated at close distances.

If you don’t know what any of this means, don’t worry. Detailed instructions for how to identify if a monitor is capable of running 4K are included below. You’ve also come to the right place if you’re in the market for a new monitor. A list of the best 4K monitors is included afterward.

How Can You Tell If Your Monitor Is 4K?

There are several easy ways to tell whether your monitor is 4K, even if you have happened upon a monitor that you didn’t buy.

Look For The Resolution In Computer Settings

howtofindscreenresolutionsettings

One quick way to tell whether your monitor is 4K is to look up the monitor’s screen resolution. This number will tell you if your monitor is capable of running 4K. To do this:

  1. Right-click while you are on the main screen. (This step may vary depending on which operating system you are running on your computer.)
  2. Once the menu pops up, go to Display settings, properties, or personalize.
  3. From here, you can scroll down or search for Display Settings.

The screen resolution is shown as two different numbers, such as 3840 x 2160. These two values refer to the number of pixels that can be displayed. The first of these two numbers (3840) is the horizontal resolution. This is the number that determines whether a monitor is capable of running 4K.

The letter “K” stands for kilo, which means 1,000. So 4K means that the display has a horizontal resolution near 4,000 pixels. In the consumer market, 3840 x 2160 is the current prevailing standard.

By the way: If you’re curious about whether a shiny new 4K monitor will support 1080p visuals, I wrote an article exactly about if 4K supports this lower pixel format that I encourage you to read!

Find The Complete Model Name & Number

You should be able to find the model name and number on the back of the monitor. This will likely be shown as several digits and numbers unique to the specific brand and model. Once you get the model number, you can search for it on an internet browser.

  • Retailer listings: The screen resolution is likely displayed in online listings on retailer websites.
  • Find the user manual: You may specifically search for the user manual.
  • Contact the manufacturer: If you know the model number and manufacturer, you might consider contacting the manufacturer to find out about the display resolution.

Is 4K Resolution Worth It?

The difference between 4K resolution and 1080p is much more noticeable than that between 1080p (HD) and 720p. 4K displays have more than 8 million pixels, four times the number of pixels seen in 1080p HD monitors. This offers several advantages

  • Viewing distance: 4K displays can be viewed from distances both near and far. 1080p TVs, on the other hand, do not provide a sharp viewing experience at a close distance.
  • Availability & Cost: 4K monitors have become much more affordable over the last several years.
  • Useful as computer monitors: Most operating systems, including Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, and Chrome OS, are all capable of outputting images higher than 1080p.

What Are The Best 4K Monitors?

These are the best 4K monitors on the market, in order of ascending screen size. It’s crucial to ensure that the graphics card is capable of running 4K before hooking one of these up to a computer.

28″- ASUS VP28UQG

asusVP28UQGbest4kmonitor
source: ASUS

The ASUS VP28UQG is a suitable choice for those who desire the crispness of 4K without breaking the bank. ASUS’s exclusive GamePlus program is sure to attract gamers. One feature in the GamePlus tool counts the frames per second (FPS), allowing you to pre-check for screen lag.

Thanks to its 60Hz refresh rate and 4K UHD support through DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI, the ASUS also scores high marks in terms of connectivity.

32″- Samsung S70A

The Samsung S70A 32-inch comes with an Automatic Source Switch Plus tool that allows the monitor to detect newly connected devices as soon as they’re plugged in. You’ll also find excellent productivity features, including the options to switch modes to picture-by-picture or picture-in-picture.

38″- LG Curved UltraWide Monitor

lgCurvedUltraWideMonitorbest4k
source: LG

The LG Curved UltraWide is the only curved monitor on this list. Curved monitors are much easier on the eyes because these screens fill up a larger portion of your peripheral vision versus other monitors. Connectivity is another bonus, with HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB.

43″- LG 43UN700

The LG 43UN700 can turn your workspace into a zone of max productivity, thanks to the OnScreen Control feature. You can split the screen into four different sections. This monitor also comes with two 10W speakers built-in. 

Also, if you’re wondering if a gaming monitor is a good crossover as a slick movie monitor, I wrote another in-depth article specifying how a gaming monitor could make a good movie monitor, so be sure to check it out!

Final Thoughts

howtotellifmonitoris4k_large

You can tell whether a monitor is 4K by searching for the product’s screen resolution. In the consumer market, the most common 4K resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels.

John Hammer

Hi i'm John Hammer, Founder and Author of Gizbuyer Guide. Ever since the original Xbox, PlayStation, and iPhone I've purchased and worked on all kinds of consumer tech products, gaming gadgets and operating system softwares. To this day my curiosity has never left, and my aim is to guide and share my knowledge on technology as I continue to experience the latest of the consumer electronics industry.

Recent Posts