Quick path
Use the Display Bandwidth Calculator when you need active payload, encoded link bandwidth, or a per-lane estimate for a resolution and refresh rate.
Bandwidth layers
Pixel clock estimates how many pixels the link must carry per second after blanking is included. Active payload multiplies that clock by bits per pixel. Encoded link bandwidth adds the line-coding overhead selected in the calculator. Per-lane bandwidth divides that encoded rate by the lane count.
Formula path
Pixel clock is active pixels times refresh rate plus blanking. Active bandwidth is pixel clock times bits per pixel. Link bandwidth adds the selected line-coding overhead.
For RGB or 4:4:4 video, bits per pixel is three color channels times bits per color. Chroma subsampling, DSC, and protocol packet overhead are separate link-specific checks.
Datasheet checks
- Use exact horizontal and vertical total timing when the panel datasheet provides it.
- Check whether the link uses DSC, chroma subsampling, or reduced blanking.
- Compare per-lane rate against the connector, cable, PHY, and sink capability.
When results do not match another tool
- Check whether the other tool used active pixels only or included blanking.
- Check whether the rate is raw payload, encoded aggregate rate, or per-lane rate.
- Confirm whether the calculation assumes RGB, YCbCr 4:2:2, YCbCr 4:2:0, or DSC.
Next step
Open the Display Bandwidth Calculator with the panel timing and encoding mode, then compare the per-lane result with the actual link training or PHY limit.