Cost Per Pixel Calculator
This tool helps you understand the "pixel value" of a display. It calculates how much you pay for each pixel, making it easier to compare the value of different monitors, TVs, and mobile devices.
Enter the total price of the device and its screen resolution (width and height in pixels). Ensure all fields are filled with positive numbers.
Enter Screen Details
Understanding Pixel Value & Formulas
What Do These Metrics Mean?
These metrics provide different ways to look at the value you get for your money in terms of screen real estate. They are excellent for comparing different products.
- Total Pixels: The total number of individual dots that make up the image on the screen. A higher number generally means a sharper, more detailed picture.
- Cost per Megapixel: A megapixel is one million pixels. This metric tells you how much money you are spending for every million pixels. A lower number is generally better value.
- Pixels per Dollar: This metric flips the calculation around, telling you how many pixels you get for every dollar you spend. A higher number is generally better value.
Core Formulas Used
- Total Pixels:
Total Pixels = Width × Height - Cost per Megapixel:
Cost per Megapixel = (Total Cost / Total Pixels) × 1,000,000 - Pixels per Dollar:
Pixels per Dollar = Total Pixels / Total Cost
10 Calculation Examples
Click on an example to see how different devices compare in pixel value.
Example 1: Standard 24" 1080p Office Monitor
Scenario: A common, affordable full HD monitor.
Inputs: Cost = $150, Width = 1920, Height = 1080
Calculations: Total Pixels = 2,073,600. Cost per Megapixel = ($150 / 2.07M) * 1M ≈ $72.34. Pixels per Dollar = 2.07M / $150 ≈ 13,824.
Conclusion: You get over 13,000 pixels for every dollar spent.
Example 2: Budget 55" 4K TV
Scenario: A large, entry-level 4K television.
Inputs: Cost = $400, Width = 3840, Height = 2160
Calculations: Total Pixels = 8,294,400. Cost per Megapixel = ($400 / 8.29M) * 1M ≈ $48.23. Pixels per Dollar = 8.29M / $400 ≈ 20,736.
Conclusion: The 4K TV offers excellent pixel value, with a very low Cost per Megapixel.
Example 3: Premium 27" 4K Gaming Monitor
Scenario: A high-performance monitor where cost includes features beyond just pixels (like refresh rate, color accuracy).
Inputs: Cost = $700, Width = 3840, Height = 2160
Calculations: Total Pixels = 8,294,400. Cost per Megapixel = ($700 / 8.29M) * 1M ≈ $84.40. Pixels per Dollar = 8.29M / $700 ≈ 11,847.
Conclusion: While it's the same 4K resolution as the TV, the higher price for premium features results in a higher Cost per Megapixel.
Example 4: High-End Smartphone
Scenario: A flagship phone where the screen is just one component of a very expensive device.
Inputs: Cost = $999, Width = 2556, Height = 1179
Calculations: Total Pixels = 3,013,524. Cost per Megapixel = ($999 / 3.01M) * 1M ≈ $331.63. Pixels per Dollar = 3.01M / $999 ≈ 3,017.
Conclusion: Phones have a very high Cost per Megapixel because the price includes cameras, processors, etc.
Example 5: 14" Laptop with QHD+ Screen
Scenario: A modern laptop with a high-resolution screen.
Inputs: Cost = $1300, Width = 2560, Height = 1600
Calculations: Total Pixels = 4,096,000. Cost per Megapixel = ($1300 / 4.1M) * 1M ≈ $317.38. Pixels per Dollar = 4.1M / $1300 ≈ 3,151.
Conclusion: Similar to a phone, the overall device cost makes the pixel value seem low compared to a standalone monitor.
Example 6: 34" Ultrawide Monitor
Scenario: A monitor with a wide aspect ratio for productivity or gaming.
Inputs: Cost = $550, Width = 3440, Height = 1440
Calculations: Total Pixels = 4,953,600. Cost per Megapixel = ($550 / 4.95M) * 1M ≈ $111.03. Pixels per Dollar = 4.95M / $550 ≈ 9,006.
Conclusion: Its pixel value sits between a standard 1080p and a 4K display.
Example 7: Cheap Portable 768p Monitor
Scenario: An inexpensive, low-resolution screen.
Inputs: Cost = $80, Width = 1366, Height = 768
Calculations: Total Pixels = 1,049,088. Cost per Megapixel = ($80 / 1.05M) * 1M ≈ $76.25. Pixels per Dollar = 1.05M / $80 ≈ 13,114.
Conclusion: Despite the low resolution, the very low price gives it a reasonable pixel value, similar to a standard 1080p monitor.
Example 8: Professional 32" 8K Display
Scenario: A very high-end display for professional video or design work.
Inputs: Cost = $4000, Width = 7680, Height = 4320
Calculations: Total Pixels = 33,177,600. Cost per Megapixel = ($4000 / 33.18M) * 1M ≈ $120.56. Pixels per Dollar = 33.18M / $4000 ≈ 8,294.
Conclusion: Even with a massive number of pixels, the extremely high price leads to a higher Cost per Megapixel than a consumer 4K TV.
Example 9: Comparison: 1080p vs 1440p Monitor
Scenario: Comparing two similarly priced monitors with different resolutions.
Monitor A (1080p): Cost = $200, W=1920, H=1080. Cost per MP ≈ $96.45.
Monitor B (1440p): Cost = $250, W=2560, H=1440. Cost per MP ≈ $67.82.
Conclusion: Although Monitor B is $50 more expensive, its Cost per Megapixel is significantly lower, meaning you get much more resolution for your money.
Example 10: Standard Tablet (e.g., iPad)
Scenario: A popular tablet computer.
Inputs: Cost = $449, Width = 2360, Height = 1640
Calculations: Total Pixels = 3,870,400. Cost per Megapixel = ($449 / 3.87M) * 1M ≈ $116.01. Pixels per Dollar = 3.87M / $449 ≈ 8,620.
Conclusion: The pixel value is better than a phone but not as good as a standalone monitor, which is expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main purpose of this calculator?
It helps you objectively compare the value of different screens by calculating metrics like "Cost Per Megapixel" and "Pixels Per Dollar," removing brand bias and focusing purely on the cost-to-resolution ratio.
2. Is a lower "Cost Per Megapixel" always better?
From a pure pixel value perspective, yes. However, it does not account for other critical screen features like refresh rate (Hz), response time, panel type (OLED, IPS, VA), color accuracy, or brightness. Use this tool as one factor in your decision.
3. What does "Pixels Per Dollar" tell me?
It answers the question: "For every dollar I spend, how many pixels am I getting?" A higher number means you are getting more screen real estate for your money. It's the inverse of Cost Per Pixel.
4. Why is the "Cost Per Pixel" so small?
Modern screens contain millions of pixels (a 4K screen has over 8 million). When you divide a few hundred dollars by millions, the cost for a single pixel becomes a tiny fraction of a cent. That's why "Cost per Megapixel" (million pixels) is a more practical comparison number.
5. Where do I find the screen resolution?
Look in the product's technical specifications for terms like "Resolution." It will be listed as two numbers, such as 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), 2560 x 1440 (QHD), or 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD).
6. Can I use this for a phone or laptop?
Yes, but remember you are entering the cost of the entire device, not just the screen. This will naturally result in a much higher Cost Per Megapixel compared to a standalone monitor, as the price includes the battery, processor, cameras, etc.
7. Why does the calculator show an error?
You must enter a valid, positive number into all three fields (Cost, Width, and Height). The calculator cannot work with zero, negative numbers, or empty fields.
8. Does this tool measure PPI (Pixels Per Inch)?
No. PPI requires the diagonal physical size of the screen (e.g., 27 inches). This calculator focuses only on the relationship between cost and the *total number* of pixels, not their physical density.
9. How can I use this to compare two products?
Enter the details for the first product and note its "Cost per Megapixel." Then, clear the fields and enter the details for the second product. The one with the lower "Cost per Megapixel" offers more resolution for the price.
10. What's a megapixel?
A megapixel (MP) is simply one million pixels. Using this unit makes the cost comparison easier to read and understand than dealing with fractions of a cent per pixel.
