What is VGA resolution?

VGA (Video Graphics Array) resolution is 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels tall, totaling 307,200 pixels per frame at a 4:3 aspect ratio. IBM introduced the VGA standard in 1987 with the PS/2 line of computers.

What does the "A" in VGA stand for?

VGA stands for Video Graphics Array. Despite "array" suggesting a purely digital design, the VGA connector (DE-15) transmits an analog RGB signal, which is why it was eventually replaced by digital interfaces like DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort.

What aspect ratio is VGA?

VGA uses a 4:3 aspect ratio (640/480 = 1.333...). Most modern displays are 16:9, so VGA content appears with vertical black bars (pillarboxing) on a widescreen monitor unless the display stretches the image.

How many pixels does VGA have?

VGA has 640 x 480 = 307,200 pixels per frame. By comparison, 720p HD has 921,600 pixels — exactly 3x more — and 4K UHD has 8,294,400 pixels, which is 27x more than VGA.

Is VGA still used today?

VGA connectors are increasingly rare on new hardware, but the 640x480 resolution remains the standard VESA fallback mode supported by virtually every GPU and monitor for compatibility. BIOS/UEFI setup screens often render at VGA resolution.

What refresh rates does VGA support?

The original VGA standard runs at 60 Hz with a 31.5 kHz horizontal sync. Later extensions (SVGA and above) support higher refresh rates, but the base 640x480 @ 60 Hz specification from IBM remains the lowest common denominator.

SVGA (800x600) and XGA (1024x768) quickly succeeded VGA in the early 1990s. Digital interfaces like DVI (1999), HDMI (2002), and DisplayPort (2006) later replaced the analog VGA connector entirely on modern hardware.

VGA Resolution Reference

Name: VGA Resolution Reference
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Quick-reference specs for the classic VGA resolution (640x480) with an interactive PPI calculator and comparison against modern display standards.

Resolution

640 x 480

pixels (W x H)

Total Pixels

307,200

per frame

Aspect Ratio

4:3

fullscreen

Standard Name

VGA

Video Graphics Array

Pixel Density Calculator

Enter the diagonal screen size to find the PPI of a VGA (640x480) display.

inches

Common Examples

14-inch CRT monitor 57 PPI

15-inch CRT monitor 53 PPI

17-inch CRT monitor 47 PPI

Technical Specifications

Original IBM VGA standard (1987) signal parameters.

Parameter	Value
Refresh rate	60 Hz
Horizontal sync	31.469 kHz
Pixel clock	25.175 MHz
Color depth (original)	256 colors (8-bit)
Max color depth	16-bit / 24-bit
Signal type	Analog RGB
Connector	DE-15 (15-pin)

Resolution Comparison

How VGA stacks up against other display standards.

Standard	Width	Height	Total Pixels	vs VGA	Label
VGA	640	480	307,200	1x	Baseline
SVGA	800	600	480,000	1.56x	SVGA
XGA	1024	768	786,432	2.56x	XGA
720p (HD)	1280	720	921,600	3x	HD Ready
1080p (Full HD)	1920	1080	2,073,600	6.75x	Full HD
4K (UHD)	3840	2160	8,294,400	27x	Ultra HD

Quick Facts

Introduced by: IBM (1987, PS/2)
Aspect ratio: 4:3
Scan type: Progressive
Standard refresh rate: 60 Hz
Original color palette: 256 colors (18-bit DAC)
Uncompressed data rate (24-bit): ~442 Mbps @ 60 fps
Succeeded by: SVGA, XGA (early 1990s)
Connector phased out: ~2010s (DVI/HDMI/DP)

Summary