SD vs 720p vs 1080p: What You Actually Get
Published: September 18, 2026 by Andrew Apell
Requesting 1080p does not create 1080p. TikTok and X serve a ladder: often 360, 576, 720, 1080. Media Wrangler tells you what the source actually has, then maps that to a cost. You pay for what is delivered.
How cost maps to height
| Delivered height | Cost | What you requested |
|---|---|---|
| ≤576 SD | 0 free | SD or higher but source is SD |
| 577-720 | 2 credits | 720p or 1080p but max is 720p |
| 721-1080 | 3 credits | 1080p and source has 1080p |
| MP3 | 2 credits | Audio only, independent |
Check Preview before you pay. If preview shows
Source provides: 720p, 576p
, requesting 1080p will give 720p and cost 2, not 3. Bundles never expire per
pricing
.
Why a video is SD only
- Original upload was SD.
- App compressed for data saver.
- Older re-encode downscaled to 720p on the CDN.
Re-downloading will not increase height. Use the original master file if you own it : see archive guide .
Choosing correctly
- Preview first, note heights.
- Pick the highest preview height you need; do not over-request.
- If you need audio only, pick MP3 instead of highest MP4.
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SD free without an account. 720p, 1080p and MP3 with bundles that never expire.
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