What is Pika Upscale?
“Take any image or video to a higher resolution. Upload what you have—a small file, an [sic] footage, a low-res export—and get back a larger, sharper version of the same image or footage.”
Images and videos
Works on both.
Any starting point
Small files, old footage, low-res exports.
Same content
“A larger, sharper version of the same image or footage.”
Scale options, maximum resolution and credit costs aren’t listed on the app’s page; check the app.
Source: Pika Upscale (quoted as published).
When to upscale, and when not to
| Good reasons to upscale | Upscaling won’t fix |
|---|---|
| A 720p clip you want to publish at a higher resolution | Warped hands, faces or objects |
| Small product photos for print or large banners | A bad prompt or wrong composition |
| Old or low-res footage and exports | Wrong lighting (use Relight Media) |
| Stills for thumbnails and hero images | Garbled text in the image |
| Final versions after drafting cheaply at lower resolution | Motion problems (flicker, morphing) |
Fix shapes and motion first: reduce distortion.
How to use Upscale
- Open Upscale and sign in.
- Upload your image or video (or pick one from your Pika library if offered).
- Choose the options the app shows, such as output size.
- Check the credit cost, then generate.
- Compare at 100% zoom: edges, textures, faces and text.
- Download the upscaled file.
Tips for better upscales
- Upscale last, once the edit is final, so you only pay for what you publish.
- Start from the best source: the original file, not a screenshot or a re-compressed download.
- Draft at 720p, finish with Upscale to save credits while testing prompts.
- Check faces closely; upscalers can add detail that changes how a face looks.
- Match the platform: there’s no benefit in exporting larger than where you’ll publish.
Before and after examples
Compare the same crop in each pair to see the difference.
Example 1 · Low-resolution product photo
Example 2 · 720p Pika clip
Where Upscale fits in your finishing steps
Then add sound, titles and export. This order matches our video quality guide.
Upscaling through the Pika API
Developers can upscale with Topaz Labs models in the Pika API catalog. We can’t confirm these are the models behind the Upscale app. From Pika’s catalog:
| Topaz Video Upscale | Topaz Image Upscale | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | x2 or x4 | x2, x3 or x4 |
| Models | Proteus (default, general purpose) and the slower, higher-quality Starlight family | Standard family (true to input) and a generative family that “adds synthesized detail” |
| Price | From $0.076 per second of output (Proteus); Starlight from $0.189/sec | From $0.126 per image (standard); generative $0.378–$0.756 |
| Notes | Starlight: “sources up to 30fps, output up to 4K” | “Priced per image up to 24MP output” |
Sources: Pika API catalog for Topaz Video Upscale and Topaz Image Upscale.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Try |
|---|---|
| Looks over-sharpened or plastic | Start from a cleaner source; use a smaller scale |
| Faces look slightly different | Compare closely; use the original if identity matters |
| Compression blocks get bigger | Upload the original file, not a re-compressed copy |
| Warps are still there | Upscaling doesn’t fix shapes; regenerate or trim the clip |
| File too big to post | Export at the platform’s recommended size |
Upscale FAQs
Does Pika Upscale work on videos?
Yes. Pika says it takes “any image or video to a higher resolution.”
Can I upscale footage not made in Pika?
Pika says “upload what you have,” including “a small file” or “a low-res export.” Only upload footage you have rights to.
Will upscaling fix distortion?
No. It makes files larger and sharper; it doesn’t fix warped shapes or motion.
How much does it cost?
The app shows the credit cost before you generate. See Pika pricing.
Is this the official Pika website?
No. pikaais.com is an independent informational guide.
Upscale your best clip
Take a finished 720p clip, upscale it, and compare both versions at full screen.
Open Upscale ↗Next: Improve video quality · Relight Media · All Pika apps
Sources: Pika Upscale, Pika API catalog and Pika pricing, checked September 25, 2026. Images: Pika. Guidance and tips are our own.