How to Download 4K YouTube Videos in Full Quality
Download true 4K (2160p) YouTube videos — no 1080p cap. Set the 4K quality once in VidLoader Plus and keep every pixel on Windows, Mac & Linux.
To download a YouTube video in 4K, set the quality to 2160p in VidLoader (on the Add screen, or once as your default in Settings), paste the link and press Download. VidLoader merges the best video and audio streams into one MP4 and handles 8K too. UHD downloads are a VidLoader Plus feature; the free plan tops out at 1080p.
Step 1 — Set 4K as your quality (once)
Open Settings → Video quality and click 4K. From now on, every download aims for 2160p when the source has it. You can also leave the default alone and pick 4K per-download in the next step.
Step 2 — Paste the link and pick 4K
Click Add, paste the YouTube link, and choose 4K in the quality row (or leave it on your new default). If the video only goes up to 1080p, VidLoader simply takes the best it can get — you never have to check first.
Step 3 — Let the download finish
4K files are big — often several gigabytes for a 20-minute video — so give it a moment. The Queue shows live speed and time remaining, and you can pause and resume without losing progress.
Step 4 — Enjoy the full-quality file
Your 4K video lands in Clips — note the file size, that's how you know it's the real thing. Play it in VidLoader or any modern player, or send it to a TV for the full effect.
Playback tip: 4K uses modern codecs that some laptops struggle with in-app. If a clip stutters, VidLoader can convert it or hand it to your system player — set your Preferred player in Settings.
Good to know about 4K downloads
- File sizes: expect roughly 1.5–3 GB per 10 minutes, depending on the video.
- 8K and 2K too: the same quality row offers 8K (4320p) and 2K (1440p) caps.
- Storage-friendly alternative: keep the default at 1080p and reserve 4K for the videos that deserve it.
- Playlists in 4K: paste a playlist link with the 4K cap set and every video downloads at maximum quality (playlist guide).
Frequently asked questions
Why is my download "only" 1080p? The source video probably doesn't offer 4K. VidLoader always takes the best available up to your cap.
Do I need Plus for 4K? Yes — UHD downloads (8K, 4K, and 2K) are part of VidLoader Plus, which is $5.99/month or $57.99/year and starts with a 3-day free trial. The free plan downloads up to 1080p, 10 videos a day.
Will 4K play on my computer? Any recent computer can play 4K with the right player. VidLoader's convert option can also re-encode a clip into a friendlier format.
Download in full quality
Stop settling for 1080p. Get VidLoader — a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux — and unlock 8K, 4K, and 2K with a Plus trial to keep every pixel.