Technology
What is a pixel?
A pixel is the smallest dot of a digital image or screen. Short for 'picture element,' each pixel shows one color, and millions of them together form the photos and displays you see — the more pixels, the sharper the image.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains a pixel.
Key things to understand
- 1It's the tiniest unit of a digital image or display.
- 2Each pixel displays a single color, usually mixed from red, green, and blue.
- 3Millions of pixels together form a complete image.
- 4More pixels (higher resolution) means finer detail.
- 5Zoom in far enough and you see the individual colored squares.
Frequently asked questions
- What does pixel mean?
- It's short for 'picture element' — the smallest single point of color that makes up a digital image or screen.
- How do pixels make colors?
- Each pixel blends red, green, and blue light at different brightnesses, which combine into the full range of colors your eye sees.
- What is resolution?
- The number of pixels in an image or screen; more pixels packed in means sharper, more detailed images.