What is DPI? Image Resolution Explained Simply

DPI (Dots Per Inch) determines how sharp an image looks when printed. Understanding DPI helps you avoid blurry prints.

DPI Quick Reference

• 72 DPI — Screen/web display (standard monitor resolution)
• 150 DPI — Standard quality print (good for flyers, handouts)
• 300 DPI — Professional print quality (business cards, brochures, photos)
• 600+ DPI — Ultra high quality print (medical imaging, archival)

Key facts

DPI only matters for printing. On screen, the same image looks the same at 72 DPI or 300 DPI. When you print at 300 DPI on an A4 page, you need an image of at least 2480 × 3508 pixels.

Tips

• Always create at 300 DPI if the image will be printed — downscaling later is fine, upscaling is not
• For social media, 72-96 DPI at the correct pixel dimensions is all you need
• When in doubt, higher resolution is always better — you can always reduce

FAQs

What DPI is required for print?

300 DPI minimum for professional printing. 150 DPI for standard quality.

Does higher DPI mean better quality on screen?

No — screens have fixed pixel densities. DPI only affects print quality.

How do I check DPI of an image?

Right-click the image → Properties → Details (Windows) or Get Info → More Info (Mac).