Not all YouTube downloaders support 4K. Many are capped at 1080p or add a paywall for higher resolutions. This guide shows you exactly how to get true 4K 2160p YouTube videos for free — plus tips for 60fps, HDR, and 1440p.
What Is 4K on YouTube?
4K refers to a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels (also called 2160p or UHD — Ultra High Definition). It delivers four times the detail of standard 1080p Full HD. YouTube has supported 4K uploads since 2010, and today a large percentage of content is available in 4K.
Requirements for 4K Playback
- A 4K-capable display (monitor, TV, or phone screen)
- At least 20 Mbps internet speed for smooth 4K streaming
- Sufficient storage (4K video is ~2-4 GB per hour)
How to Download YouTube 4K Videos Free
Step 1: Find a 4K YouTube Video
Not all YouTube videos are available in 4K. Check if the video has 4K by clicking the gear icon during playback and seeing if 2160p appears in the quality list. If it does, you can download it in 4K.
Step 2: Copy the YouTube URL
Copy the URL from the browser address bar. Short URLs like youtu.be/xxxxx also work.
Step 3: Use FZ-Tools
Go to FZ-Tools YouTube Downloader. Paste the URL, click Fetch, and look for the 2160p or 4K quality option in the list. Click it, then click Download Free.
4K vs 1440p vs 1080p — Which Should You Download?
| Quality | Resolution | File Size/hr | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K (2160p) | 3840×2160 | ~3.5 GB | Large screens, archiving |
| 1440p (QHD) | 2560×1440 | ~2 GB | PC monitors, streaming |
| 1080p (FHD) | 1920×1080 | ~1 GB | Most uses, phones, tablets |
| 720p (HD) | 1280×720 | ~500 MB | Mobile data saving |
What About 60fps YouTube Videos?
Many gaming, sports and action videos on YouTube are available in 60fps (frames per second). FZ-Tools shows these as separate options — look for 1080p60 or 4K60 in the quality list.
Why Isn't 4K Showing in the Quality List?
If 4K doesn't appear: the creator didn't upload in 4K, or YouTube is still processing the high-resolution version (new uploads can take 24-48 hours for 4K to become available).