How can you change display resolution in Linux?

Changing the display resolution in Linux can be a tricky task, especially if you are not familiar with the command line or the graphical user interface (GUI) tools. However, there are several ways to adjust the screen size and quality to suit your preferences and needs. In this article, we will show you how to change display resolution in Linux using two methods: xrandr and display settings.

1 Method 1: xrandr

xrandr is a command-line tool that allows you to configure the resolution, orientation, and refresh rate of your monitors. You can use it to list the available modes, set a specific mode, or create a new mode. To use xrandr, you need to open a terminal and type the following command: xrandr This will display the current resolution and the possible modes for each output. For example, you might see something like this:

Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1366 x 768, maximum 8192 x 8192
eDP-1 connected primary 1366x768+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 309mm x 174mm
   1366x768      60.00*+  40.00  
   1280x720      60.00    59.99    59.86    59.74  
   1024x768      60.04    60.00  
   960x720       60.00  
   928x696       60.05  
   896x672       60.01  
   1024x576      59.95    59.96    59.90    59.82  
   960x600       59.93    60.00  
   960x540       59.96    59.99    59.63    59.82  
   800x600       60.00    60.32    56.25  
   840x525       60.01    59.88  
   864x486       59.92    59.57  
   800x512       60.17  
   700x525       59.98  
   800x450       59.95    59.82  
   640x512       60.02  
   720x450       59.89  
   700x450       59.96    59.88  
   640x480       60.00    59.94  
   720x405       59.51    58.99  
   684x384       59.88    59.85  
   680x384       59.80    59.96  
   640x400       59.88    59.98  
   576x432       60.06  
   640x360       59.86    59.83    59.84    59.32  
   512x384       60.00  
   512x288       60.00    59.92  
   480x270       59.63    59.82  
   400x300       60.32    56.34  
   432x243       59.92    59.57  
   320x240       60.05  
   360x202       59.51    59.13  
   320x180       59.84    59.32  
HDMI-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)

The output name (e.g. eDP-1 or HDMI-1) indicates the monitor or port that is connected. The asterisk (*) marks the current mode, and the plus (+) marks the preferred mode. The numbers after the output name (e.g. 1366x768+0+0) indicate the resolution and the position of the screen relative to the origin (0,0).

To change the resolution of an output, you can use the --output and --mode options. For example, to set the resolution of eDP-1 to 1280x720, you can type: xrandr --output eDP-1 --mode 1280x720 You can also use the --rate option to specify the refresh rate, or the --scale option to adjust the size of the output. For more options and details, you can check the xrandr manual page by typing: man xrandr

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Alok Singh

Cisco NDO, Cisco ACI, Cisco NSO, Data Center and Core Network Automation in Reliance Jio, Linux, Python, FastAPI, Flask, Pandas, Docker, Kubernetes and CICD
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we need xrandr command to check current resolution and same command is used for change resolution in linux. Follow below steps to change resolutions. 1. type command xrandr to verify if it's installed in linux. 2. if it is not installed type #sudo apt install x11-xserver-utils 3. type xrandr to see current resolution and resolution lists. #xrandr 4. type below command to set resolution from displayed lists. #xrandr -s 1024x768

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Rushikesh Bhatjire

Cloud Computing & Linux Administration Expert | Technical Associate at ESDS Software Solutions Ltd | 2 Years of Proven Experience
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# List available displays xrandr # Identify display name (e.g., HDMI-1) display_name="HDMI-1" # Set desired resolution (e.g., 1920x1080) resolution="1920x1080" xrandr --output "$display_name" --mode "$resolution" # Optionally persist changes (Ubuntu example) sudo tee -a /etc/X11/xorg.conf > /dev/null <<EOL Section "Monitor" Identifier "Monitor0" Modeline "$resolution" 173.00 1920 2048 2248 2576 1080 1083 1088 1120 -hsync +vsync EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Screen0" Monitor "Monitor0" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Modes "$resolution" EndSubSection EndSection EOL

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Mike R.

Operations Specialist / Platform Engineer
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it depends on which window manager you use but gnome and kde both have the right click. choose display settings in gnome, which is the redhat/centos default. kde is similar, and on the console you have to edit grub for most operating systems. if yours doesn't use grub and is using lilo, its similar. you have to edit the console resolution settings.

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2 Method 2: display settings

If you prefer a graphical way to change the display resolution in Linux, you can use the display settings tool that comes with your desktop environment. Depending on your distribution and desktop environment, the tool may have different names and appearances, but the basic steps are generally similar. For example, in GNOME, you would click on the Activities button in the top left corner, type display in the search box, and click on the Display icon to open the display settings. You can then drag and drop the monitors to arrange them, select the resolution and refresh rate from the drop-down menus, and enable or disable fractional scaling, night light, and rotation options. In KDE Plasma, you would right-click on the desktop, select Configure Desktop and Wallpaper, click on the Display and Monitor icon on the left panel, and then click on the Display Configuration tab. XFCE users would right-click on the desktop and select Display. And LXDE users would right-click on the desktop and select Preferences > Monitor Settings. Changing the display resolution in Linux can help you optimize your screen space and improve your visual experience. You can easily adjust the screen size and quality to your liking by using either xrandr or a graphical display settings tool - try out different resolutions to find one that works best for you!

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Rushikesh Bhatjire

Cloud Computing & Linux Administration Expert | Technical Associate at ESDS Software Solutions Ltd | 2 Years of Proven Experience
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For example, on GNOME, you can usually find it in the system settings or by right-clicking on the desktop. Look for the "Display" or "Screen" section within the system settings. Identify and select the display you want to configure. Look for a drop-down menu or a list of available resolutions. Choose the desired resolution from the list. Apply the changes and confirm if prompted. Verify that the new resolution looks satisfactory. If not, revert or choose another resolution. Close the display settings window. Using the graphical display settings provides an intuitive way to configure the resolution without the need for command-line inputs.The exact steps may vary depending on your desktop environment.

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3 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Rushikesh Bhatjire

Cloud Computing & Linux Administration Expert | Technical Associate at ESDS Software Solutions Ltd | 2 Years of Proven Experience
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When working with display settings in Linux, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind: Alongside resolution, ensure the selected refresh rate is suitable for your monitor. Higher refresh rates can result in smoother motion. If using multiple monitors, configure each monitor individually, considering their resolutions and relative positions. Maintain the aspect ratio of your display to avoid stretching or distortion. This is especially important for graphical work or media consumption. Refer to the documentation for your specific Linux distribution and desktop environment. Online forums and communities can also be valuable resources for troubleshooting and getting advice.

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How can you change display resolution in Linux?

1

2

3

1 Method 1: xrandr

2 Method 2: display settings

3 Here’s what else to consider

Operating Systems

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How can you change display resolution in Linux?

1

2

3

1 Method 1: xrandr

2 Method 2: display settings

3 Here’s what else to consider

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