360p
360p is a low video resolution 360 pixels tall with progressive scan, typically 640 x 360 pixels for widescreen 16:9 video. It needs very little bandwidth, so streaming players use it as a fallback when networks are slow. 360p is unrelated to 360-degree video, which captures a full surrounding view.
Why it matters
360p is the safety net that keeps video playing on the weakest connections. For apps with viewers on slow or costly mobile data, it can be the difference between a played view and a lost one. It also helps a video start fast before the player moves up to sharper levels.
How it works
- Each frame is 360 rows tall, typically 640 pixels wide in 16:9.
- Encoders add a 360p version at or near the bottom of the bitrate ladder.
- Players use it on very slow connections, or briefly at startup before switching up.
Is 360p good quality?
No, 360p is low quality by today's standards. It looks blurry on laptops and TVs, though it can be watchable on a small phone screen. Its value is reliability: it needs very little bandwidth, so video keeps playing when connections are poor.
Is 360p the same as 360-degree video?
No, they are unrelated. 360p is a low resolution, 360 pixels tall. 360-degree video is an immersive format that records every direction at once, so viewers can look around. Because the picture is spread around a full sphere, 360-degree video actually needs a high resolution to look sharp.
Where it's used
On very slow connections, short video apps and creator platforms switch to 360p to keep clips playing, or start with it for a fast first frame before moving up.
By the numbers
- YouTube recommends 1 Mbps for 360p SDR uploads at 24 to 30 fps. (YouTube recommended upload encoding settings)
