You are now entering the PC Anatomy portal

A "pixel" is the smallest controllable element of a picture or a graphic displayed on a computer screen, a term that is a portmanteau of "picture" and "element". It is the basic building block of digital images, with each pixel representing a single point of color and brightness. The number of pixels an image or screen has is its resolution, and a higher number of pixels results in a sharper and more detailed image.

Smallest unit: A pixel is the smallest single point on a digital display that can be illuminated with color.

Building blocks: When pixels are arranged in a grid, they combine to form a complete image. On a color screen, each pixel is typically made up of three smaller subpixels: red, green, and blue, which mix together to create the final perceived color.

Resolution: The total number of pixels in an image or on a screen determines its resolution. For example, a higher resolution screen has more pixels, which allows it to display more detail.

Image quality: The number of pixels in an image is measured in megapixels, where one megapixel equals one million pixels. More megapixels mean a higher resolution and sharper details.

Digital image format: Pixel-based digital images are also known as bitmap or raster images.

Distinction from DPI: A "pixel" is a unit of a digital display, whereas "dots per inch" (DPI) is a term for printed images, referring to the number of printed ink dots per inch.