What is DPI?
DPI (dots per inch) measures how many dots a printer places in one inch of paper. It affects printing only, not how an image looks on a screen, where the pixel dimensions are what matter. A photo at 300 DPI prints sharply, while the same file shown online is judged by its pixel width and height.
DPI is about printing
Higher DPI packs more dots into each inch, so prints look smoother. For a screen, DPI is ignored; a 1000 by 1000 pixel image is 1000 by 1000 whether it is tagged 72 or 300 DPI.
How much DPI you need
300 DPI is the standard for sharp photo prints. 150 DPI is fine for large posters viewed from a distance. To print bigger without losing sharpness, you need more pixels, which is where upscaling helps.
Try it yourself, free
Every tool runs in your browser. Your image never leaves your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DPI matter for web images?
No. Screens care about pixel dimensions, not DPI. Set the right pixel width and height instead.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
PPI (pixels per inch) describes pixels in a digital image, while DPI describes ink dots on a print. People often use the terms interchangeably.