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Graphic Design vocabulary · Image Formats & Resolution

Pixel

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈpɪksəl/nounCore term

In graphic design, pixel means: The smallest single point of colour in a digital image or on a screen. Raster images are made of thousands or millions of pixels arranged in a grid.

In Turkish: piksel

How it is used

Used for image sizes and screen design. Sizes for web and social media are given in pixels (1080 × 1080 px); designers say something is ‘a few pixels off’ when it is slightly misaligned.

Example sentences

  1. The banner needs to be 1200 by 628 pixels for the ad platform.

  2. The icon is two pixels lower than the text; can you nudge it up?

Common collocations

  • pixel dimensions
  • in pixels
  • pixel-perfect
  • a few pixels off
  • resolutionThe amount of detail in a digital image, shown by how many pixels it has or how many pixels or dots fit into one inch. Print usually needs about 300 dpi at final size.
  • raster imageA digital image made of a grid of tiny coloured squares called pixels, such as a photo. It has a fixed resolution, so it loses quality when enlarged too much.
  • pixelatedDescribes an image that shows visible square pixels and jagged edges, usually because a low-resolution file has been enlarged too much.
  • aspect ratioThe relationship between the width and height of an image or screen, written as two numbers such as 16:9, 1:1 or 4:5.

More terms: Image Formats & Resolution

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