diff --git a/lang/cs.lang b/lang/cs.lang
index 8ce116b..d912a56 100644
--- a/lang/cs.lang
+++ b/lang/cs.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = západ
 dir.nw = severozápad
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Rozlišení 3D
+set.render_scale = Pixelový vzhled
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} řádků
 set.debug_fps = Zobrazit FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Zobrazit čas snímku
 set.debug_ping = Zobrazit ping
diff --git a/lang/da.lang b/lang/da.lang
index 71e53ae..7cbb252 100644
--- a/lang/da.lang
+++ b/lang/da.lang
@@ -370,7 +370,8 @@ dir.w = vest
 dir.nw = nordvest
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D-opløsning
+set.render_scale = Pixel-look
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} linjer
 set.debug_fps = Vis FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Vis billedtid
 set.debug_ping = Vis ping
diff --git a/lang/de.lang b/lang/de.lang
index ab0e6f4..79fe0b3 100644
--- a/lang/de.lang
+++ b/lang/de.lang
@@ -370,7 +370,8 @@ dir.w = Westen
 dir.nw = Nordwesten
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D-Auflösung
+set.render_scale = Pixel-Look
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} Zeilen
 set.debug_fps = FPS anzeigen
 set.debug_frame_time = Framezeit anzeigen
 set.debug_ping = Ping anzeigen
diff --git a/lang/el.lang b/lang/el.lang
index ce18668..b7ce770 100644
--- a/lang/el.lang
+++ b/lang/el.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = δύση
 dir.nw = βορειοδυτικά
 
 val.auto = Αυτόμ. ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Ανάλυση 3D
+set.render_scale = Εμφάνιση pixel
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} γραμμές
 set.debug_fps = Εμφάνιση FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Εμφάνιση χρόνου καρέ
 set.debug_ping = Εμφάνιση ping
diff --git a/lang/en.lang b/lang/en.lang
index b069a22..a7225f0 100644
--- a/lang/en.lang
+++ b/lang/en.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = west
 dir.nw = north-west
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D resolution
+set.render_scale = Pixel look
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} rows
 set.debug_fps = Show FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Show frame time
 set.debug_ping = Show ping
diff --git a/lang/es.lang b/lang/es.lang
index cc9b2d6..b3cf572 100644
--- a/lang/es.lang
+++ b/lang/es.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = oeste
 dir.nw = noroeste
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Resolución 3D
+set.render_scale = Aspecto pixelado
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} líneas
 set.debug_fps = Mostrar FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Mostrar ms por fotograma
 set.debug_ping = Mostrar ping
diff --git a/lang/fi.lang b/lang/fi.lang
index 4f7faf0..1b4c85f 100644
--- a/lang/fi.lang
+++ b/lang/fi.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = länsi
 dir.nw = luode
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D-tarkkuus
+set.render_scale = Pikseliulkoasu
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} riviä
 set.debug_fps = Näytä FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Näytä ruutuaika
 set.debug_ping = Näytä ping
diff --git a/lang/hr.lang b/lang/hr.lang
index 92def4e..6b7f068 100644
--- a/lang/hr.lang
+++ b/lang/hr.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = zapad
 dir.nw = sjeverozapad
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D razlučivost
+set.render_scale = Pikselni izgled
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} redaka
 set.debug_fps = Prikaži FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Prikaži vrijeme sličice
 set.debug_ping = Prikaži ping
diff --git a/lang/hu.lang b/lang/hu.lang
index 80ca308..3941b7b 100644
--- a/lang/hu.lang
+++ b/lang/hu.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = nyugat
 dir.nw = északnyugat
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D felbontás
+set.render_scale = Pixeles kinézet
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} sor
 set.debug_fps = FPS mutatása
 set.debug_frame_time = Képidő mutatása
 set.debug_ping = Ping mutatása
diff --git a/lang/it.lang b/lang/it.lang
index fd74f93..5e0a5b7 100644
--- a/lang/it.lang
+++ b/lang/it.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = ovest
 dir.nw = nord-ovest
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Risoluzione 3D
+set.render_scale = Aspetto pixel
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} righe
 set.debug_fps = Mostra FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Mostra tempo frame
 set.debug_ping = Mostra ping
diff --git a/lang/nl.lang b/lang/nl.lang
index b501a41..69f8ca1 100644
--- a/lang/nl.lang
+++ b/lang/nl.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = westen
 dir.nw = noordwesten
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D-resolutie
+set.render_scale = Pixellook
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} regels
 set.debug_fps = FPS tonen
 set.debug_frame_time = Frametijd tonen
 set.debug_ping = Ping tonen
diff --git a/lang/no.lang b/lang/no.lang
index 0ddd918..4755627 100644
--- a/lang/no.lang
+++ b/lang/no.lang
@@ -370,7 +370,8 @@ dir.w = vest
 dir.nw = nordvest
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D-oppløsning
+set.render_scale = Pikselutseende
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} linjer
 set.debug_fps = Vis FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Vis bildetid
 set.debug_ping = Vis ping
diff --git a/lang/pt.lang b/lang/pt.lang
index 8df3ead..d4a1c4f 100644
--- a/lang/pt.lang
+++ b/lang/pt.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = oeste
 dir.nw = noroeste
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Resolução 3D
+set.render_scale = Aspeto pixelizado
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} linhas
 set.debug_fps = Mostrar FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Mostrar tempo de frame
 set.debug_ping = Mostrar ping
diff --git a/lang/ro.lang b/lang/ro.lang
index 3b435b7..05885b5 100644
--- a/lang/ro.lang
+++ b/lang/ro.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = vest
 dir.nw = nord-vest
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Rezoluție 3D
+set.render_scale = Aspect pixelat
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} rânduri
 set.debug_fps = Arată FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Arată timpul cadrului
 set.debug_ping = Arată ping
diff --git a/lang/ru.lang b/lang/ru.lang
index fa4478f..bf5cd22 100644
--- a/lang/ru.lang
+++ b/lang/ru.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = запад
 dir.nw = северо-запад
 
 val.auto = Авто ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Разрешение 3D
+set.render_scale = Пиксельный вид
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} строк
 set.debug_fps = Показывать FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Время кадра
 set.debug_ping = Показывать пинг
diff --git a/lang/sk.lang b/lang/sk.lang
index d809fba..88d166d 100644
--- a/lang/sk.lang
+++ b/lang/sk.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = západ
 dir.nw = severozápad
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = Rozlíšenie 3D
+set.render_scale = Pixelový vzhľad
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} riadkov
 set.debug_fps = Zobraziť FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Zobraziť čas snímky
 set.debug_ping = Zobraziť ping
diff --git a/lang/sr.lang b/lang/sr.lang
index ee3ef6e..020c7b7 100644
--- a/lang/sr.lang
+++ b/lang/sr.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = запад
 dir.nw = северозапад
 
 val.auto = Ауто ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D резолуција
+set.render_scale = Пикселни изглед
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} редова
 set.debug_fps = Прикажи FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Прикажи време кадра
 set.debug_ping = Прикажи пинг
diff --git a/lang/sv.lang b/lang/sv.lang
index f7b687d..264c60d 100644
--- a/lang/sv.lang
+++ b/lang/sv.lang
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ dir.w = väster
 dir.nw = nordväst
 
 val.auto = Auto ({0}x)
-set.render_scale = 3D-upplösning
+set.render_scale = Pixelutseende
+set.pixel_rows_val = {0} rader
 set.debug_fps = Visa FPS
 set.debug_frame_time = Visa bildtid
 set.debug_ping = Visa ping
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 2a5ccb3..3ee0f54 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ fn apply_settings(s: &Settings, r3d: &mut R3d) {
     r3d.outlines = s.outlines;
     r3d.set_wall_detail(s.wall_subdivisions());
     r3d.max_lights = s.max_lights as usize;
-    r3d.render_div = s.render_scale.clamp(1, 16) as u32;
+    r3d.pixel_rows = if [270, 360, 480].contains(&s.pixel_rows) { s.pixel_rows as u32 } else { 360 };
     audio::set_volumes(s.music_volume, s.volume, s.muted);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/menu.rs b/src/menu.rs
index 1d0747f..c8c7de9 100644
--- a/src/menu.rs
+++ b/src/menu.rs
@@ -151,15 +151,7 @@ fn item_value(it: Item, s: &Settings) -> String {
         Item::DebugTriggerZones => onoff(s.debug_trigger_zones),
         Item::DebugCommandMarkers => onoff(s.debug_command_markers),
         Item::DebugPathLines => onoff(s.debug_path_lines),
-        Item::RenderScale => {
-            // the setting is for a 1080 pixel high window; show what applies to this one
-            let now = crate::render3d::effective_div(s.render_scale.max(1) as u32, crate::ui::sh());
-            if now as u8 == s.render_scale.max(1) {
-                format!("1/{}", s.render_scale.max(1))
-            } else {
-                format!("1/{} (1/{})", s.render_scale.max(1), now)
-            }
-        }
+        Item::RenderScale => crate::i18n::trf("set.pixel_rows_val", &[s.pixel_rows.to_string()]),
         Item::GameSpeed => format!("{}x", s.game_speed as i32),
         Item::Hints => onoff(s.hints),
         Item::Events => onoff(s.events),
@@ -201,7 +193,7 @@ fn item_change(it: Item, s: &mut Settings, d: i32) {
         Item::WallDetail => s.wall_detail = cycle(&[1u8, 2, 3], s.wall_detail, d),
         Item::Lights => s.max_lights = cycle(&[8u8, 16, 24], s.max_lights, d),
         Item::UiScale => s.ui_factor = cycle(&[0u8, 1, 2, 3, 4], s.ui_factor, d),
-        Item::RenderScale => s.render_scale = cycle(&(1u8..=16).collect::<Vec<u8>>(), s.render_scale.clamp(1, 16), d),
+        Item::RenderScale => s.pixel_rows = cycle(&[270u16, 360, 480], if [270, 360, 480].contains(&s.pixel_rows) { s.pixel_rows } else { 360 }, d),
         Item::DebugFps => s.debug_fps = !s.debug_fps,
         Item::DebugFrameTime => s.debug_frame_time = !s.debug_frame_time,
         Item::DebugPing => s.debug_ping = !s.debug_ping,
diff --git a/src/render3d.rs b/src/render3d.rs
index 1a1877e..4fb533e 100644
--- a/src/render3d.rs
+++ b/src/render3d.rs
@@ -1122,7 +1122,8 @@ pub struct R3d {
     pub outlines: bool, // tile outlines on/off
     wall_sub: usize,    // wall face subdivisions (detail)
     pub max_lights: usize,
-    pub render_div: u32,                    // 3D resolution divisor (pixel look)
+    pub pixel_rows: u32,                    // pixel look: the world is rendered this many rows high (0: off)
+    up: Option<(RenderTarget, u32, u32)>,   // the world scaled up by a whole factor (sharp scaling)
     target: Option<(RenderTarget, u32, u32)>, // low resolution render target
     lava: Vec<f32>,                           // lava light per tile (see lava_field)
 }
@@ -1130,13 +1131,16 @@ pub struct R3d {
 // The 3D resolution setting refers to a window 1080 device pixels high: smaller windows use a
 // proportionally smaller divisor, so the 3D pixels keep their size relative to the window.
 // 1 (full resolution) stays 1.
-pub const RENDER_REF_HEIGHT: f32 = 1080.0;
 
-pub fn effective_div(setting: u32, height: f32) -> u32 {
-    if setting <= 1 {
-        return 1;
+// Pixel look: the world is rendered `rows` rows high on every screen, whatever its resolution
+// and pixel density; the width follows the aspect ratio. Returns the target size and the scale
+// to the screen (None: the screen has hardly more rows, render at full resolution).
+pub fn pixel_target(rows: u32, pw: f32, ph: f32) -> Option<(u32, u32, f32)> {
+    if rows == 0 || ph < rows as f32 * 1.2 {
+        return None;
     }
-    ((setting as f32 * height / RENDER_REF_HEIGHT).round() as u32).max(1)
+    let scale = ph / rows as f32;
+    Some((((pw / scale).round() as u32).max(1), rows, scale))
 }
 
 fn rgba(u: u32) -> Color {
@@ -1182,7 +1186,7 @@ fn chunk_sig(map: &Map, cx: i32, cz: i32) -> u64 {
 
 impl R3d {
     pub fn new() -> R3d {
-        R3d { lit: lit_material(), glow: glow_material(), chunks: Vec::new(), ncx: 0, ncz: 0, outlines: true, wall_sub: 3, max_lights: MAX_LIGHTS, render_div: 1, target: None, lava: Vec::new() }
+        R3d { lit: lit_material(), glow: glow_material(), chunks: Vec::new(), ncx: 0, ncz: 0, outlines: true, wall_sub: 3, max_lights: MAX_LIGHTS, pixel_rows: 360, up: None, target: None, lava: Vec::new() }
     }
 
     // Changing the wall detail rebuilds all chunks
@@ -1422,13 +1426,13 @@ impl R3d {
         let m = cam.matrix();
         self.update_chunks(g, gfx, &m);
         EYE.with(|e| e.set(cam.eye_dir()));
-        // pixel look: render the world at 1/div resolution and scale it up by exactly div
+        // pixel look: the world is rendered at a fixed number of rows and scaled up to the screen
         let d = crate::ui::dpr();
         let (pw, ph) = ((screen_width() * d).round(), (screen_height() * d).round());
-        let div = effective_div(self.render_div, ph);
+        let pix = pixel_target(self.pixel_rows, pw, ph);
+        let div = if pix.is_some() { 2 } else { 1 }; // > 1: a target is used
         let mut cam3 = cam.camera();
-        if div > 1 {
-            let (tw, th) = ((pw / div as f32).ceil() as u32, (ph / div as f32).ceil() as u32);
+        if let Some((tw, th, _)) = pix {
             if self.target.as_ref().map_or(true, |(_, w, h)| *w != tw || *h != th) {
                 let rt = render_target_ex(tw, th, RenderTargetParams { sample_count: 1, depth: true });
                 rt.texture.set_filter(FilterMode::Nearest);
@@ -1439,6 +1443,7 @@ impl R3d {
             cam3.aspect = Some(*tw as f32 / *th as f32);
         } else {
             self.target = None;
+            self.up = None;
         }
         set_camera(&cam3);
         if div > 1 {
@@ -1523,9 +1528,31 @@ impl R3d {
         draw_parts_glow(g);
         gl_use_default_material();
         crate::ui::begin_ui();
-        if let (true, Some((rt, tw, th))) = (div > 1, self.target.as_ref()) {
-            let size = vec2((*tw * div) as f32, (*th * div) as f32);
-            draw_texture_ex(&rt.texture, 0.0, 0.0, WHITE, DrawTextureParams { dest_size: Some(size), flip_y: true, ..Default::default() });
+        if let (Some((_, _, scale)), Some((rt, tw, th))) = (pix, self.target.as_ref()) {
+            let whole = (scale - scale.round()).abs() < 0.01;
+            if whole {
+                // a whole factor: every world pixel becomes the same square of screen pixels
+                let size = vec2(*tw as f32 * scale.round(), *th as f32 * scale.round());
+                draw_texture_ex(&rt.texture, 0.0, 0.0, WHITE, DrawTextureParams { dest_size: Some(size), flip_y: true, ..Default::default() });
+            } else {
+                // sharp scaling: up by the next whole factor (nearest), then smoothly down to the
+                // screen - all pixels the same size, the edges crisp
+                let n = scale.ceil() as u32;
+                let (uw, uh) = (*tw * n, *th * n);
+                if self.up.as_ref().map_or(true, |(_, w, h)| *w != uw || *h != uh) {
+                    let up = render_target_ex(uw, uh, RenderTargetParams { sample_count: 1, depth: false });
+                    up.texture.set_filter(FilterMode::Linear);
+                    self.up = Some((up, uw, uh));
+                }
+                let (up, _, _) = self.up.as_ref().unwrap();
+                let mut c = Camera2D::from_display_rect(Rect::new(0.0, 0.0, uw as f32, uh as f32));
+                c.render_target = Some(up.clone());
+                set_camera(&c);
+                clear_background(Color::from_rgba(0, 0, 0, 255));
+                draw_texture_ex(&rt.texture, 0.0, 0.0, WHITE, DrawTextureParams { dest_size: Some(vec2(uw as f32, uh as f32)), flip_y: true, ..Default::default() });
+                crate::ui::begin_ui();
+                draw_texture_ex(&up.texture, 0.0, 0.0, WHITE, DrawTextureParams { dest_size: Some(vec2(*tw as f32 * scale, *th as f32 * scale)), flip_y: true, ..Default::default() });
+            }
         }
 
         // ---- 2D overlay in device pixels: health bars, sleep marks, levels, gate HP
@@ -3228,12 +3255,14 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn pixel_size_follows_the_window() {
-        assert_eq!(effective_div(1, 400.0), 1);
-        assert_eq!(effective_div(4, 1080.0), 4);
-        assert_eq!(effective_div(4, 540.0), 2);
-        assert_eq!(effective_div(4, 2160.0), 8);
-        assert_eq!(effective_div(16, 200.0), 3);
-        assert_eq!(effective_div(2, 100.0), 1);
+        // the same rows on every screen; the width follows the aspect ratio
+        assert_eq!(pixel_target(360, 1920.0, 1080.0), Some((640, 360, 3.0)));
+        assert_eq!(pixel_target(360, 3840.0, 2160.0), Some((640, 360, 6.0)));
+        let (w, h, s) = pixel_target(360, 1366.0, 768.0).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!((w, h), (640, 360));
+        assert!((s - 2.1333).abs() < 0.01);
+        // a screen hardly bigger than the pixel look renders at full resolution
+        assert_eq!(pixel_target(360, 600.0, 400.0), None);
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/src/settings.rs b/src/settings.rs
index e43f48d..3f45d6f 100644
--- a/src/settings.rs
+++ b/src/settings.rs
@@ -148,7 +148,8 @@ pub struct Settings {
     pub wall_detail: u8, // 1 low, 2 medium, 3 high
     pub max_lights: u8,  // 8, 16 or 24
     pub ui_factor: u8,   // interface size: 0 = automatic, 1..4 = fixed integer factor
-    pub render_scale: u8, // 3D world resolution divisor: 1 = full, 2..16 = pixel look
+    pub render_scale: u8, // old pixel-look divisor (no longer used, kept for old settings files)
+    pub pixel_rows: u16,  // pixel look: rows of the world on every screen (270, 360, 480)
     pub touch_ui: u8,     // touch interface: 0 = automatic (after the first touch), 1 = on, 2 = off
     pub debug_fps: bool,                // show FPS and rendering backend
     pub debug_frame_time: bool,          // show the frame-time line and graph
@@ -186,6 +187,7 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             max_lights: 24,
             ui_factor: 0,
             render_scale: 1,
+            pixel_rows: 360,
             touch_ui: 0,
             debug_fps: false,
             debug_frame_time: false,