URP
Unity’s Universal Render Pipeline
Also known as: Universal Render Pipeline · Lightweight Render Pipeline · LWRP
Definition
URP (Universal Render Pipeline) is Unity’s scalable, forward-renderer-based pipeline designed to run from mobile to mid-spec PC and console. It trades some high-end features (volumetrics, screen-space reflections, complex lighting models) for predictable performance and a wide platform reach. URP is the default choice for stylized 3D games, VR titles, and anything targeting weaker hardware.
In production
URP is the default template when creating a new 3D or 2D project in recent Unity versions, using the Universal Renderer asset to configure render passes and Shader Graph for custom lit/unlit materials. It is the standard choice for stylized 3D games, VR titles (where framerate and platform compatibility matter more than photoreal lighting), and mobile titles targeting a wide range of Android hardware. Studios upgrading a legacy Built-in Render Pipeline project to URP must run Unity's render pipeline converter, which remaps materials and shaders automatically but frequently leaves custom shaders broken, requiring manual Shader Graph rebuilds for anything using custom lighting models.
