Texturing & materials · Intermediate

Texel density

How many texture pixels cover each unit of a model’s surface

What is texel density?

Texel density is how many texture pixels, called texels, cover each unit of a model’s surface, often measured in pixels per meter. Keeping it consistent across a scene means every object looks equally sharp, so no prop looks blurry next to a crisp one.

Think of it like this

It is like the same photo printed on a postcard and on a billboard: identical pixels, but spread thinner on the bigger print.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Surface: Giving the shape its color and material: UVs, textures and shaders.

3D modelUnwrapFlat UV layoutSame face
Unwrapping lays each face of the model flat, so a 2D texture can wrap back on.

How texel density works

  1. 01Pick a target, such as a number of pixels per meter, for the whole project.
  2. 02Scale each model’s UV islands so their area matches that target.
  3. 03Large objects get bigger textures or more UV space; small ones get less.
  4. 04A checker texture shows at a glance where density drifts.

Texel density vs texture resolution

PropertyTexel densityTexture resolution
MeasuresPixels per unit of surfaceTotal pixels in the image
Depends onImage size and model size togetherImage size only
Tells youHow sharp the surface looksHow large the file is

Resolution is the image’s size; texel density is how thinly that size is spread, which is what decides sharpness on screen.

Where texel density is used

  • Keeping game environments evenly sharp
  • Planning texture sizes before an asset is built
  • Spotting props that will look blurry beside others

Beginner tip

Objects the camera gets very close to can break the rule and get extra density. Just make that choice on purpose rather than by accident.

Terms related to texel density

Texel density FAQ

What is a texel?
One pixel of a texture image. The name keeps it apart from screen pixels, because up close one texel can cover many screen pixels, and far away many texels squeeze into one.
How do you calculate texel density?
Divide the texture’s width in pixels by the real-world width its UVs cover. A 2048-pixel texture spread across a 2-meter wall gives 1024 pixels per meter. Many 3D apps and add-ons can measure and set it for you.
What is a good texel density for games?
There is no single number. It depends on camera distance, platform and art style. Teams pick one target per project, usually higher when the player stands close to walls, and stick to it.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms