Is 2560x1440 a 4K resolution? A Clear Resolution Guide

Screen resolution is always a crucial point and causes a lot of confusion. People talk about it and pay much attention to this feature when choosing monitors, TVs, or cameras. Terms like “2K,” “QHD,” “4K,” and “UHD” get thrown around, often incorrectly. If you’ve asked yourself, “Is 2560×1440 a 4K resolution?” or wondered, “Is 2560×1440 considered 4K?”, you are from us.

I can simply answer ‘no,’ but to make you understand, I need to explain it. Both resolutions offer sharp visuals, but they are not from the same categories. Let’s explain the term 4K in detail here. What 1440p and 4K mean and the differences between the two? Which one is best when we talk about camera resolutions? What is the best resolution for a security camera? Keep reading.

What Does “1440p” Mean?

Before discussing ‘What is the resolution of 4K?’ and deciding on ‘Is 2560x1440 a 4K resolution?, understanding the 1440p is important.

1440p is a display or video resolution where the vertical pixel count is 1440. The p here is for 'progressive scan,' which means the image is drawn line after line in full each frame with no interlacing. Resolutions with 1440 vertical pixels are typically:

• 2560×1440 is the most common one with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Simply called:
  • Quad High Definition or QHD
  • Wide QHD or WQHD
• Holds about 3.7 million pixels total.(2560 × 1440 = 3,686,400)

How 1440 is better than lower resolutions

• 1080p is Full HD. It has a 1920x1080 resolution, which has 2.07 million pixels.
• This resolution offers more detail and makes the images sharper and clearer. This works best on larger displays of 24 to 32 inches or when sitting closer.

What Is 4K?

Resolutions are difficult for a beginner to understand, and that’s the same case with 4K. Let’s answer: What is the resolution of 4K?

4K resolution is a display with around 4,000 horizontal pixels. But there are two main standards:

1. 3840×2160 pixels. This is 4K UHD (Ultra High Definition), which is the common ‘4K’ for TVs, monitors, streaming, etc. That’s about 8.3 million pixels, roughly four times the number of pixels of full HD (1080p)
2. 4096×2160 pixels, used in digital cinema/film production (DCI 4K).

Professionals mostly prefer 4K for various applications, from video editing and photography to large TVs and professional 4K resolutionsecurity systems. You can explore advanced setups with 4K resolution, which shows how this technology is being used in modern security and home monitoring.

Is 2560×1440 a 4K Resolution?

We call it simply no. By standard definitions, 2560×1440 is not a 4K resolution. In industrial terms, it falls short in both pixel count and horizontal dimension.

• Pixel Count Difference:
  • 2560x1440 = 3.7 million pixels.
  • 3840x2160 (4K UHD) = 8.3 million pixels.

This shows more than double the pixels.

• Horizontal Width:
  • 2560 pixels (far below 4000).
  • 3840 pixels (closer to 4000).

Some incorrectly call 2560×1440 either 2K or 2.5K, but even then, it’s clearer to call it QHD or WQHD.

When anyone asks, ‘Is 2560×1440 considered 4K?’, the answer is: no, not by technical or industry standard definitions.

4K vs 1440p: Key Differences

The questions about ‘What is the best resolution for a security camera?’ or ‘What camera resolution is 4K?’ become easy after you get the main differences between 4K and 1440p.

Pixel Count and Sharpness

• 1440p: ~3.7 million pixels.
• 4K: ~8.3 million pixels.

This shows a clear difference of about double the number of pixels. 4K offers sharper visuals because of a higher pixel count on large displays or when zooming into details.

Hardware Demands

• 1440p is easier on your graphics card and processor. It is good to use for mid-range setups.
• 4K requires more powerful hardware and higher bandwidth with larger storage space.

Cost

• 1440p monitors and cameras are more affordable and still deliver great clarity.
• 4K devices cost more but deliver professional-level detail.

Use Case

• 1440p: Gaming, general productivity, affordable security cameras.
• 4K: High‑end PCs and single‑player gaming, professional editing, large screens, high-end security systems.

Here’s a quick table for comparison:

4K vs 1440p: When to Use 4K

You get the answer to ‘Is 2560x1440 considered 4K?’ Let’s see which resolution you can use when.

You should consider 4K if:

• You work with photo/video editing and need fine detail. If your workflow outputs 4K content, seeing it in native resolution helps catch issues.
• You have a large display (40″ or more) or sit close to the screen. The pixel density matters: in such cases, 1440p might look less sharp / show pixelation.
• You want future-proofing. As more content / cameras / media move toward 4K, it ensures compatibility.
• You need to zoom in to see faces, license plates, or cover a wide area with one camera in a security system. Higher resolution = more usable detail.

When we discuss ‘What is the best resolution for a security camera?’ we easily compare 2K vs 4K security cameras. The 4K option (3840×2160) clearly gives more detail and allows effective digital zoom without losing important information.

A secuirty system like the eufy NVR Security System S4 Max can record in 4K, offering much sharper detail than a 1440p system. This helps in identifying people or objects even when zooming into recorded footage.

4K vs 1440p: When to Use 1440p

You get the simple answer of ‘no’ for ‘Is 2560x1440 a 4K resolution?’ It’s not 4K, but 1440p still has its strengths, and it’s not always necessary to go for higher resolution.

1440p has advantages in many real-world situations:

• Gaming puts less strain on your graphics card. You can often get higher frame rates at 1440p than at 4K with the same hardware.
• It’s suitable to choose in budget constraints. It has lower cost monitor / display hardware and lower storage/bandwidth needs.
• Smaller screens or normal viewing distance bring some dramatic results. If your monitor is, say, ~24–27 inches and you sit at a normal desk distance, the difference between 1440p and 4K may be hard to notice.
• Security cameras where cost / storage / bandwidth are limited, or you’re covering smaller zones. You might get enough clarity with 1440p for general monitoring.

What Camera Resolution is 4K?

When it comes to cameras, ‘4K’ also refers to capturing video or images at around 3840×2160 pixels for consumer standard or 4096×2160 for cinema / professional.

• Many modern cam options now support 4K video.
  • DSLRs
  • Mirrorless cameras
  • Action cams
  • Security cameras
• The eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kitoffers crisp 4K video with smart home integration. It combines high resolution clarity with reliable performance. This makes it the best security providing system for security conscious users.

• A camera with 4K resolution captures more detail and allows cropping / zooming with less loss. This generally produces higher quality stills if you extract frames.
• Higher resolution cameras often need better sensors and lenses with sufficient lighting. If you fail to provide, the image quality may suffer from noise, lower low-light performance, etc.

Conclusion

Is 2560x1440 a 4K resolution? Absolutely! Not. 2560x1440 is QHD, and true 4K resolution starts at 3840x2160. Pixel count difference makes 4K much sharper and more detailed when you use it for large screens or for professional tasks. 1440p works as a good resolution for several setups of everyday use and security cameras where cost and storage efficiency matter. Choosing any resolution depends on your setup and requirements.

FAQs

What’s better, 3840×2160 or 2560×1440?

3840×2160 is a better option for sharper details on a large screen or after zooming in because of the higher pixel count. The simple budget friendly resolution, which puts less stress on your GPU / system, is 2560×1440.

How can I tell if my monitor is 2K or 4K?

You can tell by checking the resolution. A 2K is 2560×1440, and you can see it in display settings. 4K appears on screen as 3840×2160. It looks sharper with finer text and icons on larger screens. Specs from the manufacturer also confirm resolution.

Can you notice a difference between 2K and 4K?

Yes, but it depends on a few things:

• Size of the screen
• How far you sit from it
• The quality of the display panel, which includes pixel density and contrast with color
• The content you’re viewing. Check if it’s native 4K vs upscaled. See if the lighting is good or not

The difference may be small or hard to notice on smaller screens or at normal viewing distances.

What is the best resolution for a security camera?

Your requirements decide what resolution you need in your security camera. Mostly prefer 4K for capturing fine details and covering larger spaces. 1440p offers a balance of clarity with lower storage and bandwidth use. 1080p works well for budget setups. Always consider lens quality, sensor size, and night vision, too.