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What is 480p?

480p identifies a family of progressive-scan video formats with 480 vertical pixels. Common frame sizes include 640x480 for 4:3 content and approximately 854x480 for 16:9 content.

How 480p works

A 480p asset contains complete progressive frames with 480 sampled lines of height. Its width follows the intended geometry and encoder constraints, so the term covers both traditional 4:3 imagery and widescreen renditions rather than one exact raster. It sits near the standard-definition end of modern delivery ladders, where correct deinterlacing, aspect signaling, and downscaling often matter more than adding aggressive sharpening.

Key facts

  1. For square pixels, 640×480 represents 4:3, while 854×480 closely represents 16:9; some encoders use 848×480 to satisfy block-alignment constraints.
  2. 480p must not be conflated with 480i: both reference 480 visible lines, but one carries progressive frames and the other represents alternating fields.
  3. Deinterlacing 480i into 480p requires a motion-aware or otherwise deliberate method; simply combining mismatched fields can create combing around moving edges.

When 480p matters

Offer 480p when reduced data consumption matters more than fine detail, especially on small screens. Do not assume one fixed width; preserve the source ratio and meet any encoder alignment requirement.

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