---
title: "Get Texel Density"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/UV_Get_Texel_Density.html"
section_path: "The UV Editor and Its Tools - An Introduction > Get Texel Density"
description: "A Texel is a single unit of a texture as it corresponds to a point on a 3D surface, similar to how a pixel is a unit of a 2D image."
---

# Get Texel Density

> **Tip:** **A Definition: Texel and Texel Density**
>
> A *Texel* is a single unit of a texture as it corresponds to a point on a 3D surface, similar to how a pixel is a unit of a 2D image.
>
> *Texel Density* (or short *TD*) is a measure of how many texture pixels (*Texels*) are applied per unit of 3D space, determining how detailed a surface appears.
>
> The larger the UV polygons within a UV tile, the higher their *Texel Density*, and the more details and pixels from an assigned texture (*Texels*) can be mapped onto them. Similarly, the *Texel Density* also increases when a higher-resolution texture is loaded.\
> To ensure consistent texture quality when displayed on 3D objects, especially when objects use multiple UV islands in the UV unwrap, the average *TD* of selected polygons can be calculated and then transferred to other UV polygons, for example, using [Set Texel Density (Selected)](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/UV_Set_Texel_Density.html.md). In practice, this results in the proportions of the UV islands being adjusted so that an identical density of texture pixels can be rendered.

First, select a few of the UV polygons whose current display quality—in relation to the assigned texture—you like. Executing **Get Texel Density** will then evaluate the size of these areas in relation to the texture resolution and display the result as a numerical **TD** value above the *UV Editor*. By using [Set Texel Density (All)](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/UV_Set_Texel_Density_All.html.md) or [Set Texel Density (Selected)](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/UV_Set_Texel_Density.html.md) that value can then be transfered to other UV polygons.

---

> **Tip:** **Texel Density - What is it?**
>
> The so-called *Texel Density* is an important measure, particularly in the field of video games. It indicates how many texture pixels are projected per object surface. There are essentially 3 reasons to care about *Texel Densities*:
>
> - Texture Resolution: If the *Texel Density* is too low, textures appear spongy when you approach them. If it is too large, the textures may appear crisp from close up, but you may be wasting valuable UV area.
> - Texture Homogeneity: In a scene, objects stand out that have a completely different *Texel Density* than their surroundings. This can disturb the immersion in video games, for example. It is therefore important to use similar *Texel Densities* in a scene.
> - Texture Efficiency: Video game engines tend to have limited memory and computing capacity, so it is important to keep the *Texel Density* as low as possible and still look good. This is why, for example, *Texel Densities*are defined for assets in video game productions, which employees must adhere to in order to ensure fast and high-quality texture display in all game situations.
>
> To calculate the *Texel Density* for the UV polygons within the UV tile and display it in color, you must specify two values: the texture *Resolution* and the target *Texel Density* you try to achieve. You can do this using the two value fields located at the top right of the *UV Editor.*
>
> ![Image: 2025-3_UDIM_10_.png](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2025-3_UDIM_10_.png)\
> From top to bottom: smaller, larger, inhomogeneous Texel Densities (due to varied UV mesh).
>
> **Resolution**
>
> A map target size in pixels can be freely set here.\
> You will find a small menu on the right where you can select one of the common texture sizes (e.g. 2k, 4k, 8k corresponding to 2048\*2048, 4096\*4096, 8192\*8192 pixels - textures are usually square corresponding to a UV tile).
>
> **TD**
>
> You will find a small menu on the right where you can select one of the common *Texel Densities*. To give you a rough guide, in the video game sector, there are roughly 3 different types of game in which the camera can generally get more or less close to assets. Choose the following *Texel Densities*, for example:
>
> - First person (games from the first person perspective): e.g. 10.24
> - Third person (games where the camera is placed behind the character): e.g. 5.12
> - Top Down (games from which you look at the action from above): e.g. 2.56 or smaller.
>
> In general, the closer the camera is to the asset, the higher the *Texel Density* should be. In a first person shooter, for example, you can get as close as you like to an asset, which is why higher *Texel Densities* are required here.
>
> ![Image: UV_Editor_Display_10.png](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/UV_Editor_Display_10.png)\
> The two drop down menus and parameter inputs about the Texture **Resolution** of one UV tile and the Texel Density (**TD**) that should be enforced.