Will It Work? · Guide
HDMI 1.4, 2.0 and 2.1: bandwidth and what each one carries
By Bulan Sarkar, founder of ElectronicsInfoline (since 2000)
The HDMI version on a laptop, a hub or a monitor decides which resolutions and refresh rates come through. HDMI.org states the bandwidth of each version and lists the modes it carries; this guide sets those lists against common monitors.
The versions, as HDMI.org states them
- HDMI 1.4b: 4096 × 2160 at 24 Hz, 3840 × 2160 at 24, 25 and 30 Hz, and 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz (HDMI Licensing Administrator).
- HDMI 2.0: up to 18 Gbit/s, with 4K at 50/60 Hz (HDMI Licensing Administrator).
- HDMI 2.1: 8K60 and 4K120, up to 48 Gbit/s (HDMI Licensing Administrator).
Cables carry their own names: High Speed up to 10.2 Gbit/s (HDMI Licensing Administrator), Premium High Speed up to 18 (HDMI Licensing Administrator), Ultra High Speed up to 48 (HDMI Licensing Administrator).
Which modes fit
A mode counts as listed when a listed mode is at least as wide, as tall and as fast. Anything outside the lists is “not listed”: the device maker has to state it.
| Mode | HDMI 1.4 | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 × 1080 at 60 Hz | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| 2560 × 1440 at 60 Hz | Not listed | Listed | Listed |
| 2560 × 1440 at 144 Hz | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3840 × 2160 at 30 Hz | Listed | Listed | Listed |
| 3840 × 2160 at 60 Hz | Not listed | Listed | Listed |
| 3840 × 2160 at 120 Hz | Not listed | Not listed | Listed |
| 7680 × 4320 at 60 Hz | Not listed | Not listed | Listed |
“Not listed” is not the same as “won't work”: 1440p at 144 Hz is outside every list here, because neither 4K120 nor 8K60 is that fast, but a monitor or hub maker may still list it. For how much data each mode needs, see the timing below and the monitor bandwidth guide.
Hubs and adapters
A USB-C hub takes DisplayPort from the laptop and converts it to HDMI. Run a 4K60 monitor on a hub's HDMI 1.4 port through the checker and it says: Monitor 1: HDMI 1.4 lists 4K only at 24, 25 and 30 Hz, so 60 Hz won't come through that port.
Tips and tricks
- Look for the HDMI version on the hub’s spec sheet, not just “4K”. “4K” with HDMI 1.4 means 30 Hz at most.
- Use a cable named for the bandwidth: Premium High Speed for 4K60, Ultra High Speed for 4K120 or 8K60.
- For high refresh rates on a PC monitor, compare the DisplayPort route too; the hub and dock checker handles both.
What we would do
For a 4K60 screen, make sure every link in the chain is HDMI 2.0 or newer: the laptop or hub output, the cable (Premium High Speed or better) and the monitor input. For 4K at 120 Hz, the whole chain needs HDMI 2.1 and an Ultra High Speed cable.
Questions people ask
Does HDMI 1.4 support 4K at 60 Hz? No. HDMI.org lists 4K for HDMI 1.4b at 24, 25 and 30 Hz (3840 × 2160) and at 24 Hz (4096 × 2160). 4K at 50/60 Hz arrived with HDMI 2.0.
Which HDMI cable do I need for 4K at 120 Hz? An Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. HDMI.org rates it for up to 48 Gbit/s and lists 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz.
Sources
Each figure on this page is quoted from the source below or worked out from them. Sources checked , each quote read again against the source in a second pass.
- HDMI Licensing Administrator, HDMI Specification 1.4b:
This includes support for 4096×2160 at 24 Hz, 3840×2160 at 24, 25, and 30 Hz, and 1920×1080 at 120 Hz. All resolutions and refresh rates can be support with the High Speed HDMI Cable.
hdmi.org/spec/hdmi1_4b - HDMI Licensing Administrator, HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. (press release: HDMI FORUM RELEASES VERSION 2.0 OF THE HDMI SPECIFICATION, 4 Sep 2013):
This latest HDMI Specification, the first to be developed by the HDMI Forum, offers a significant increase in bandwidth (up to 18Gbps) to support new features such as 4K@50/60 (2160p), which is 4 times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution; 32 audio channels; as well as dynamic auto lip-sync and extensions to CEC.
hdmi.org/press/bodydetails/24 - HDMI Licensing Administrator, HDMI FORUM RELEASES VERSION 2.1 OF THE HDMI SPECIFICATION:
This latest HDMI Specification supports a range of higher video resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K. Dynamic HDR formats are also supported, and bandwidth capability is increased up to 48Gbps.
hdmi.org/announce/detail/172 - HDMI Licensing Administrator, HDMI Cables - Different Cable Types:
The High Speed HDMI Cable is designed and tested to handle video resolutions of 1080p and beyond with support up to 10.2Gbps bandwidth, including advanced display technologies such as 4K@30Hz, 3D, and Deep Color.
hdmi.org/resource/cables - HDMI Licensing Administrator, HDMI Cables - Different Cable Types:
Premium HDMI Cables are a special certification for High Speed HDMI Cables that have been designed and certified for ultra-reliable performance for 4K/UltraHD at up to 18Gbps bandwidth including advanced features such as 4K60, HDR, and expanded color spaces including BT.2020.
hdmi.org/resource/cables - HDMI Licensing Administrator, HDMI Cables - Different Cable Types:
The Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable was introduced in the HDMI 2.1 Specification and entered the market in 2020. It is applicable for system configurations supporting up to 48Gbps maximum bandwidth and 8K@60 and 4K@120 formats.
hdmi.org/resource/cables - VESA, VESA Display Summit USA 2016 (AMD/VESA presentation), timing table:
5120 x 2880 60 Hz IT No DP 1.3 VESA CVT RB 2 924.144 MHz
vesa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Display-Summit-USA-2016-…