The reason why 4K resolution is not followed by a 'p' like 1080p and 1440p is because the 'p' in 1080p and 1440p stands for progressive, which refers to the way the pixels are scanned on a display. 4K resolution, on the other hand, is a marketing term that refers to a display resolution of approximately 3840 x 2160 pixels, which is four times the resolution of 1080p.
The 'p' in 1080p and 1440p indicates that the resolution is progressive, meaning that the pixels are scanned in a progressive manner, rather than interlaced, which is the way pixels are scanned in a traditional TV signal. 4K resolution, on the other hand, is a resolution standard that is defined by its horizontal pixel count, rather than its scanning method.
Also worth reading: What is the best free AI video upscaling software for converting 1080p or lower-resolution footage to 4K in 2026? · How can I improve the slow conversion speed from 1080p to 4K resolution? · "How can I upgrade or upscale my 1080p shows to high-quality 4k resolution?"
In summary, the 'p' in 1080p and 1440p refers to the scanning method, while 4K refers to a specific pixel count. Therefore, 4K resolution does not need a 'p' to indicate that it is progressive, as it is already implied by the term 4K.