Apex Legends Stretched Resolution Guide: Best Res and Setup

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Stretched resolution in Apex Legends widens player models and often boosts FPS, which is why many controller and MnK players run it over native 16:9. This guide covers the best stretched res values and how to set them up so they actually apply in-game and don’t reset.

Apex Legends Stretched Resolution Guide: Best Res and Setup

Stretched res is a preference. Test it against native, and keep whichever gives you cleaner, more repeatable aim.

Best stretched resolutions for Apex Legends

Base resolutionStretched toAspectFeel
1440 x 10801920 x 10804:3Widest models, most FPS
1620 x 10801920 x 10803:2Balanced stretch
1728 x 10801920 x 108016:10Subtle stretch

1440 x 1080 is the go-to competitive choice — widest models plus the FPS bump from rendering fewer pixels.

Step 1 – Create the custom resolution at the GPU level

NVIDIA

  1. NVIDIA Control Panel → Change resolution → Customize → Create Custom Resolution.
  2. Enter 1440 x 1080 at your monitor’s refresh rate, test, and save.

AMD

  1. AMD Software → Settings → Display → Custom Resolutions → Create.
  2. Add 1440 x 1080 at your refresh rate and save.

Step 2 – Force full-screen GPU scaling

NVIDIA

  1. Adjust desktop size and position → Scaling mode: Full-screen.
  2. Perform scaling on: GPU.
  3. Tick Override the scaling mode set by games and programs.

AMD

  1. Display → GPU Scaling: On, Scaling Mode: Full Panel.

Step 3 – Set the resolution in Apex (the reliable way)

Apex sometimes ignores in-menu resolution changes, so launch options are the most consistent method.

  1. In Steam/EA, open Apex’s Properties → Launch Options.
  2. Add: 
    +fps_max 0 -fullscreen -width 1440 -height 1080
  3. Launch the game. In Settings → Video, confirm Display Mode: Full Screen (not Borderless).

-fullscreen is required — stretched res will not apply in Borderless Window mode.

If stretched res shows black bars or reverts

  • Display Mode is Borderless — switch to Full Screen.
  • GPU scaling is set to Aspect ratio instead of Full-screen / Full Panel.
  • The -width/-height launch options were removed or overwritten — re-add them.
  • A GPU driver update reset your scaling override — re-check it.

Stretched res, FPS, and settings

Because 1440 x 1080 renders fewer pixels than native 1080p, you typically gain FPS on top of the wider models. For the full graphics pass, pair this with a best-settings approach: lower texture streaming, disable heavy effects, and cap FPS for stable frame times. See How to Minimize Input Delay for Competitive Gaming for the input side.

The best Apex Legends stretched resolution for most players is 1440 x 1080 set through launch options with full-screen GPU scaling. Get those two things right and it applies every launch without reverting.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get stretched resolution in Apex Legends?

Create a custom resolution like 1440x1080 in your NVIDIA or AMD control panel, then enable full-screen GPU scaling so the image fills your monitor instead of pillarboxing. Add -fullscreen -width 1440 -height 1080 to Apex's launch options and set Display Mode to Full Screen in-game. Borderless Window mode will block the stretch from applying.

Does stretched resolution boost FPS in Apex Legends?

Yes, running 1440x1080 renders fewer pixels than native 1920x1080, which typically raises frame rates on GPU-limited systems. The FPS gain is smaller on CPU-bound setups, but most players notice a real improvement alongside the wider player models. Pairing it with optimized graphics settings amplifies the benefit further.

Is stretched resolution bannable in Apex Legends?

No. Stretched resolution is a GPU-level display setting and is not considered cheating by Respawn. You are simply telling your GPU to scale a lower-resolution image to fill the panel, which is standard monitor functionality. Easy Anti-Cheat does not flag it.

What resolution do pros and competitive players use in Apex Legends?

1440x1080 is the dominant competitive choice because it gives the widest player models at a clean 4:3 aspect ratio while outputting to a 1080p monitor. Some players prefer 1620x1080 for a less aggressive stretch, and 1728x1080 offers a subtle 16:10 feel. The 1440x1080 pick balances maximum model width with a familiar 1080p vertical field.

Why does my stretched resolution show black bars or keep reverting in Apex Legends?

The two most common causes are Display Mode not set to Full Screen (Borderless will not stretch) and GPU scaling left on Aspect Ratio instead of Full-screen or Full Panel. After a GPU driver update your scaling override can reset, so re-check it. The -fullscreen launch option is required because Apex sometimes ignores the in-menu setting on its own.