Glossary
DPI vs PPI
Also: dpi and ppi · dots per inch vs pixels per inch
PPI (pixels per inch) measures image density on a screen; DPI (dots per inch) measures ink dots a printer lays down. Both describe resolution, but PPI applies to digital displays and DPI to physical printing.
Reviewed by Chad Solomon · Updated June 2026
Explained
What PPI means
PPI is pixel density on a display. An image's true detail comes from its pixel dimensions — 3000 × 2000 pixels, for example. PPI only matters when those pixels map to a physical size, such as exporting for print at 300 PPI.
Explained
What DPI means
DPI is how many ink dots a printer places per inch of paper. Print shops typically request 300 DPI for sharp results. DPI is a printing measurement; it has no effect on how an image looks on a screen.
Explained
Why the distinction matters
Changing the DPI tag does not add detail — only more pixels do. For the web, DPI and PPI are irrelevant; what counts is pixel dimensions. For print, ensure the image has enough pixels to hit 300 DPI at the target print size.
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Questions
Frequently asked
- Does DPI matter for web images?
- No. Screens render by pixel dimensions, not DPI. The DPI tag is ignored on the web; only an image's pixel width and height affect how it displays.
- What DPI should I use for printing?
- 300 DPI is the standard for sharp prints. Make sure the image has enough pixels to reach 300 DPI at the physical size you intend to print.
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