The Best Stretched Resolutions for Fortnite

Professional and casual players often experiment with non-standard aspect ratios in Fortnite to gain certain visual advantages. A stretched resolution can make enemy models appear larger, increase frame rates, and more.

But what are the best stretched resolutions for Fortnite, and is it worth changing your standard settings? Let's explore everything you need to know about stretched resolution in Fortnite.

What is a Stretched Resolution?

In Fortnite (and many other games), the typical resolution is 1920x1080 with a 16:9 aspect ratio. "Stretched resolution" changes this aspect ratio, making the game appear wider and characters larger. This can simplify aiming and hitting targets, especially for players using large monitors or sitting close to the screen.

Some popular stretched resolutions include:

1440x1080 (aspect ratio of 4:3)
1600x1080 (aspect ratio of 3:2)
1750x1080 (almost 16:9, but slightly stretched)

The most common stretched resolutions offer a balance between visual advantages and performance boost, making them popular among professional players.

Reasons to Use Stretched Resolution in Fortnite

Stretched resolutions offer several potential benefits that attract both casual and professional Fortnite players.

Increased character size: A stretched resolution makes enemies appear wider on screen, which can simplify aiming.

Increased frame rate (FPS): Lower resolution typically consumes fewer resources, which can lead to smoother gameplay and reduced input lag.

Reduced input lag: Even a slight reduction in input lag can have a significant impact, especially for professional players. Lower resolutions can reduce the time needed to register actions in the game.

Wider field of view (FOV): Some players feel that stretched resolution expands the field of view, although this may vary depending on the chosen resolution.

Top Stretched Resolutions for Fortnite

Let's examine the most popular stretched resolutions used by Fortnite players and what each offers.

1440x1080 (4:3 aspect ratio)

Advantages: As one of the most popular options, 1440x1080 significantly stretches the image, making enemies very large. It is also suitable for older monitors and systems that do not support high resolution.
Disadvantages: Reduced horizontal field of view, which can limit some players. The game appears less detailed, which can be a drawback in visually rich areas.

Best suited for: Players seeking maximum FPS gain and very large enemy models, especially for close combat.

1600x1080 (3:2 aspect ratio)

Advantages: Offers a good balance between stretched image and maintained field of view, providing game immersion without significant distortion. Still allows FPS boosts without major quality loss.
Disadvantages: Characters are not as large as in 1440x1080, so if your goal is maximum visibility of enemies, a lower resolution might suit you better.

Best suited for: Players who want to balance FPS and field of view without significant image quality reduction.

1750x1080 (modified 16:9)

Advantages: This resolution is close to the standard, making it more natural, yet it still features the benefits of stretched resolution. You will get a small FPS boost without significant distortion.
Disadvantages: The visual effect of stretching is minimal, so it may feel similar to 1920x1080.

Best suited for: Players who want slight changes and are trying stretched resolutions for the first time.

1280x960 (4:3 aspect ratio)

Advantages: This lower resolution significantly increases FPS for players with less powerful devices. The stretching is similar to 1440x1080 but more pronounced, with a greater impact on visibility.
Disadvantages: Image quality suffers greatly, and the game might appear blurry.

Best suited for: Players with less powerful systems or those seeking maximum FPS increase regardless of image quality.

How to Change Resolution for Fortnite

If you're ready to try a stretched resolution, here are the basic steps you need to follow. Note that stretched resolutions may require monitor and graphics card settings adjustments.

In-game settings: Go to Fortnite settings, select "Display" and choose "Windowed" mode. This allows you to use custom resolutions.

You can also go to the settings text editor and manually change the resolution to your desired one. To do this:

Use the Win+R combination on your keyboard at the desktop, enter %localappdata%, and click OK.
Find the game settings file at the following path: /FortniteGame/Saved/Config/WindowsClient/GameUserSettings
Right-click on the file and select "Properties", in the window select the "General" tab, and uncheck the "Read-only" option, then save the changes.
Open the GameUserSettings file with any text editor and find the required parameters: ResolutionSizeX and ResolutionSizeY and similar screen resolution parameters. Change it to the desired aspect ratio and save the changes in the file.

System Graphics Settings:

NVIDIA graphics cards: Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to "Display", choose "Change resolution", and add a custom resolution. Enter your desired stretched resolution (e.g., 1440x1080).

AMD graphics cards: Open AMD Radeon Software, go to "Display" and create a custom resolution.

In-game settings: After setup, launch Fortnite and select the new resolution in display settings.

What to Consider Before Switching to Stretched Resolution

While stretched resolutions are popular among professional players, they are not suitable for everyone. Here are a few points to consider:

Epic Games Policy: Fortnite developers have sometimes restricted stretched resolutions in official tournaments. Always check whether stretched resolutions are allowed in competitions.
Image Quality: Some players find the reduction in image quality to be a significant factor, especially at low resolutions like 1280x960.
Adaptation Period: It may take time to get used to the different game appearance, especially if you're accustomed to the native 1920x1080.

Conclusion: Which Stretched Resolution is Best for You?

The best stretched resolution for Fortnite depends on your play style, hardware, and visual preferences. If you're aiming for maximum FPS and visibility, 1440x1080 or 1280x960 may be optimal for you. If you're looking for a balance between image quality and performance, the popular mid-range option is 1600x1080.

Experiment with different resolutions and find the one that suits you best. Many players find that stretched resolution enhances their gameplay, but ultimately, the best resolution is the one that helps you achieve your best results.