mediumresolution

Medium resolution is a relative term used in imaging, display technology, and multimedia to describe an intermediate level of detail. It denotes a level of image or video definition that sits between low resolution and high resolution, with the exact threshold varying by domain, device, and audience.

In digital images, resolution is defined by pixel dimensions and sampling density. Medium resolution images typically offer more detail than thumbnails or compressed web images while keeping file sizes manageable. Common ranges on consumer devices include several hundred to a few thousand pixels along the longest edge; for example, images around 800–1280 pixels wide are frequently used for previews or web content.

In video and streaming, medium resolution commonly corresponds to 480p or 720p quality, which are 640×480 and 1280×720 pixel dimensions, respectively. These levels balance visual clarity with bandwidth requirements and are widely used for online video where full HD is unnecessary or unavailable.

In printing or geographic imaging, resolution is often described in dots per inch or sampling grids rather than pixel counts, but medium resolution still indicates a middle tier that preserves recognizable detail without the finest possible quality.

Considerations: choosing a medium resolution can reduce storage, transmission time, and processing requirements, making it suitable for previews, thumbnails, mobile viewing, or rapid workflows. For applications demanding high fidelity, higher resolutions or careful upscaling may be required.