1366x768 Resolution Explained: The Budget Laptop Standard
1366 x 768 is the resolution you'll find on countless budget laptops, and it raises a fair question: is it good enough? Here's what it is, why it became so common, and how it stacks up against 1080p.
What is 1366x768 resolution?
1366 x 768 is a display resolution of 1,049,088 pixels, often called WXGA or, loosely, HD. It uses a roughly 16:9 aspect ratio and has long been the default on entry-level laptops. It sits just above 720p in pixel count but below the Full HD standard of 1080p.
1366x768 specs at a glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Pixels (W x H) | 1366 x 768 |
| Total pixels | 1,049,088 |
| Other names | WXGA, HD |
| Aspect ratio | ~16:9 (15.98:9) |
| Pixels vs 1080p | ~51% of 1080p |
The aspect ratio isn't exactly 16:9, which is a quirk of how the standard was set, but it's close enough that 16:9 content fits with only minor adjustment.
Why is 1366x768 so common on laptops?
1366 x 768 became common because it was cheap to manufacture while still meeting the "HD" label for marketing. For years it let budget laptops advertise an HD screen at the lowest possible cost, so it spread across entry-level models worldwide.
That cost advantage has faded as 1080p panels got cheaper, so 1366 x 768 is slowly being replaced. It still appears on the most affordable laptops, where every dollar of the build matters.
Is 1366x768 good?
1366 x 768 is acceptable for basic tasks on a small laptop screen, but it's below today's standard. On a 14-inch or 15-inch laptop, it handles web browsing, documents, and video well enough, and its low pixel count is easy on weak hardware.
The downsides show in detail and screen space: text looks softer than on 1080p, and you fit less on screen at once. If you have the choice, a 1080p laptop is a clear upgrade for not much more money. See our 1080p resolution guide for the step up.
1366x768 vs 1080p
1080p has roughly twice the pixels of 1366 x 768, so it's noticeably sharper and shows more content at once. 1366 x 768 holds about 1.05 million pixels while 1080p holds 2.07 million.
| Resolution | Pixels | Total pixels |
|---|---|---|
| 1366 x 768 | 1366 x 768 | 1,049,088 |
| 1080p | 1920 x 1080 | 2,073,600 |
For browsing and office work, 1080p's extra space makes a real day-to-day difference. To see where both sit among all standards, check our screen resolution chart.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1366x768 HD?
Yes, loosely. 1366 x 768 is marketed as HD and is sometimes called WXGA. It's above 720p but below the 1080p Full HD standard, so it's the lower end of the HD range.
Is 1366x768 a good resolution?
It's acceptable for basic tasks on a small laptop screen, but it's below today's standard. Text looks softer and you fit less on screen than 1080p. If you can choose, a 1080p screen is a clear upgrade.
What aspect ratio is 1366x768?
1366 x 768 has an aspect ratio of about 15.98:9, which is treated as 16:9 for practical purposes. The slightly odd numbers come from how the WXGA standard was originally set.
Is 1366x768 better than 720p?
Yes, slightly. 1366 x 768 has about 14% more pixels than 720p (1280 x 720) and a bit more screen space, though the two are close. Both sit below 1080p.