How to Change Your Screen Resolution

Changing your screen resolution takes under a minute on any system, and it's the fix for a display that looks too small, too large, or blurry. Here's how to do it on Windows and Mac, and how to set a custom resolution.

How to change screen resolution on Windows 11

You change the resolution in Windows 11 through the Display settings, and the steps are quick.

1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop and choose Display settings.
2. Scroll to Display resolution.
3. Open the dropdown and pick your resolution. Choose the one marked (Recommended), which is your monitor's native resolution.
4. Click Keep changes when prompted to confirm.

Always pick the recommended native resolution for the sharpest image, since other options can look blurry.

How to change screen resolution on Windows 10

Windows 10 works almost the same way, with the setting in the same place.

1. Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings.
2. Find Display resolution under the Scale and layout section.
3. Select your resolution from the dropdown, ideally the (Recommended) native one.
4. Confirm with Keep changes.

If the text looks too small or too large after changing resolution, adjust the Scale setting just above it rather than dropping to a lower resolution.

How to change screen resolution on Mac

On a Mac, you change the resolution through System Settings, and macOS usually manages it for you.

1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
2. Click Displays.
3. Pick a scaled option, or hold Option and click Scaled to see the full list of resolutions.
4. Choose your resolution, and the screen updates instantly.

macOS labels options by how they look, like "Larger Text" or "More Space," rather than raw pixel numbers, so pick the balance you prefer.

How to set a custom resolution

If your monitor supports a resolution that isn't listed, you can add a custom one. On Windows, this is done through your graphics card's control panel, such as the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software, under a "Custom Resolution" option. Enter the width, height, and refresh rate, then test and apply it.

Be careful with custom resolutions: setting one your monitor can't display may cause a blank screen. If that happens, wait, and the system usually reverts to the last working setting. Stick to resolutions your monitor officially supports whenever you can.

How to fix a blurry screen after changing resolution

A blurry screen almost always means you're not running the monitor's native resolution. Go back into Display settings and select the resolution marked (Recommended), which matches your monitor's true pixel grid.

If text is the right sharpness but too small or large, change the scaling instead of the resolution. You can confirm your current resolution any time with the screen resolution checker on our homepage, and learn what each standard means in our screen resolution guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my screen resolution on Windows 11?

Right-click the desktop, choose Display settings, scroll to Display resolution, and pick your resolution from the dropdown. Choose the one marked (Recommended) for the sharpest image, then click Keep changes.

How do I change resolution on a Mac?

Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then Displays. Pick a scaled option, or hold Option and click Scaled to see all resolutions. The screen updates instantly when you choose one.

Why is my screen blurry after changing resolution?

A blurry screen usually means you're not using the monitor's native resolution. Return to Display settings and pick the (Recommended) resolution. If text is just too small, adjust scaling instead.

What is the best resolution to set my monitor to?

Set your monitor to its native resolution, the exact pixel grid it's built for, which is marked (Recommended) in your settings. Any lower resolution looks blurry because the image has to be stretched.

Can I set a custom resolution?

Yes, through your graphics card's control panel on Windows, under a Custom Resolution option. Enter the width, height, and refresh rate, then test it. Only use resolutions your monitor actually supports to avoid a blank screen.