How to Check What Resolution a Video File Is (2025 Guide)

Part 1. What Is Video Resolution and Why Does It Matter

Common Resolution Types (720p, 1080p, 4K, etc.)

Since video resolution is primarily used to categorize the quality of videos, learning the common resolution types can help you infer the quality of your file without needing to check it. In this case, 720p, 1080p, and 4K are three of the most common resolution settings for online videos. The two former options are considered HD quality, while 4K is considered UHD.

How Resolution Affects Quality, File Size, and Compatibility

In addition to dictating the quality of the video, resolution also affects the file size and compatibility of your media file. If a video has higher resolution, expect its file size to be bigger as well. In fact, the difference between 720p and 1080p is usually doubled. Moreover, 4K videos are challenging in terms of compatibility, as their increased quality demands more resources.

Why Sites Like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok Have Specific Resolutions

Online videos require specific resolutions since their target audience commonly uses these websites and apps on various devices. When it comes to YouTube, they offer 4K-resolution videos, which can be watched on a smart TV. On the other hand, Instagram and TikTok do not require higher resolution since they are commonly consumed on mobile devices.

Part 2. Quick Ways to Check Video Resolution

Using Built-in Tools (Windows, macOS)

The quickest way to check video resolution is to check the properties or file information of the video on your computer. This is the built-in option that allows you to check the resolution of video files on both Windows and Mac devices.

Windows File Properties

1. Right-click the video you want to check and select the Properties option.

2. In the Properties menu, select the Details tab. Under it, you can find the Frame Width and Height elements. The frame values are the resolution of the video.

Aside from learning how to check video resolution in Windows 10/11 and on older versions of the operating system, the properties tab on Windows will also reveal other important information on the file. These include the file size, format, and other file-specific details.

macOS File Info

1. Select the file you want to check for information by clicking on it.

2. Next, select the File option from the Finder menu. Then click Get Info.

3. After selecting Get Info, the general information of the file you have selected will appear. If it is a video, the information about its resolution will be displayed under More Info.

Although our tutorial involves inspecting a folder, the steps that we have provided will also work for video files. You can simply follow the steps we used to check the video resolution on a Mac computer.

Checking Resolution via Media Players

In this guide, we will feature VLC Media Player as the software used to check the resolution of videos playing on it.

1. Open your video in VLC Media Player and then select the Tools option. Under it, select Codec Information.

2. Inside the Codec Information menu, the resolution can be found under the Stream 1 section labeled as Video Resolution.

Checking video resolution on media players is a more practical option if you are already watching the video you want to check. Fortunately, checking video resolution in VLC can be done within its built-in menus.

Checking Resolution of Online Videos

If you want to check the video resolution of online videos, you are in luck, since most video sources online offer a quality checker tool in the settings of their online player. The guide below features the solution to check the video quality of online videos on YouTube.

1. Open the YouTube video you want to check. Hover your cursor over the video player, then click the Settings icon.

2. Within the Settings menu, select Quality.

3. In the Quality options, the current resolution your video is set to will be the one with the check mark.

Checking the resolution of online videos is the easiest option, as it is common for these websites to offer an option to change the video resolution. Fortunately, learning how to check video resolution in the Chrome browser was made simple. In YouTube’s case, you can set their videos all the way down from 144p to ultra-clear 4K UHD.

Part 3. Best Software to Check and Change Video Resolution

Now that we have provided our readers with easy ways to check video resolution, let's move forward to the best software for both checking and changing the video resolution of your media files: AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate.

Originally designed as a format converter tool, the program's main feature was optimized to be flexible enough to provide more advanced media file details, such as checking the resolution of uploaded videos.

In addition to basic resolution checking, you can also utilize the tool for general video quality enhancement, as the program can upscale video resolution from 720p to 1080p or even 4K UHD, 5K, and 8K with the aid of its intelligent AI support. This feature enables the tool to serve as both a solution for enhancing poor-quality videos and for improving footage captured from outdated cameras.

Additionally, the resolution at which you want to enhance the video can also be precisely selected since you may select the specific output format where your video’s resolution will be set. With the help of custom resolution control, users of AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate can precisely set the output resolution and bitrate of videos, making it easy to prepare these files for specific platforms and devices.

In summary, AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is not only a reliable video resolution checker tool, but it can also be used for converting, editing, and compressing video files to the precise resolution that you need.

To learn how to use the Converter feature of the software, please read our three-step guide below, which provides a detailed tutorial on how to use the program for both checking and enhancing video resolution.

To learn how to use the Converter feature of the software, please read our three-step guide below, which provides a detailed tutorial on how to use the program for both checking and enhancing video resolution.

1. Open AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, then select the Add File button to import the video you want to check or change the resolution of.

Once the video has been uploaded, you can check its Resolution under the file details, together with the format, duration, and file size.

2. Next, click on Output Format and browse through the available formats in the program. Select the format you want to use. Then, choose the Resolution you want to convert your video into. In this tutorial, we will select the HD 1080p or 4K, even 5K/8K option.

3. With both Output Format and Resolution now selected, you can start converting your video by clicking on the Convert All button.

Using the video resolution converter feature of AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, you can ensure that the videos you process in the program also have their resolution enhanced, in addition to providing you with information on their current resolution. This flexibility enables the program to serve as a versatile multimedia tool.