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Convert DPI to PPI – print and screen resolution
300 DPI for print, 72–96 PPI for screen — know the difference before sending to Shutterfly, Walgreens, or Photoshop.
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What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
DPI (dots per inch) refers to the physical dots a printer can place per inch. PPI (pixels per inch) refers to the pixel density of a digital screen or image. In practice, these terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different things.
A printer at 1200 DPI places 1200 ink dots per inch. A screen at 110 PPI displays 110 pixels per inch. An image at 300 PPI has 300 pixels per inch when printed at 100% size.
For digital images: use PPI. For printers: use DPI. When someone says “300 DPI image,” they technically mean 300 PPI.
All calculations run locally in your browser — nothing is sent to any server.
How to use the converter?
2. Read the result
The conversion result appears instantly in the field next to it – no clicking required.3. Copy or reverse
Click Copy result or use the Reverse button to convert in the opposite direction.
When is this converter useful?
Photo Print Services
Walgreens and Shutterfly require at least 150 PPI for standard prints; 300 PPI for sharp 4×6 and 8×10 results. A 12 MP phone photo (4032×3024 px) prints perfectly at 8×10 inches at 300 PPI. Use this converter to check before ordering.HiDPI and Retina Displays
MacBook Pro 14" has 254 PPI; MacBook Air M3 has 224 PPI. Apple calls any display above ~220 PPI "Retina." The iPhone 15 Pro reaches 460 PPI. A 27" 4K monitor lands at 163 PPI — not quite Retina, but sharp for desk distance.Photoshop Resolution Settings
In Photoshop, the Image > Image Size dialog shows PPI — even though Adobe labels it "DPI" in older documentation. Setting 300 PPI without resampling only changes the print size, not the pixel count. Tick "Resample" to actually add or remove pixels.Poster and Banner Printing
Large-format print (posters, banners, trade show displays) typically requires only 100–150 PPI because viewing distance is farther. A 24×36" poster at 150 PPI needs a 3600×5400 px source file — far less than most assume.
What makes this converter different?
Complete privacy
All calculations run locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server.Real-time results
The result updates instantly as you type – no need to click any button.Bidirectional conversion
The Reverse button lets you convert in both directions with one click.Reference table
A ready-made table with commonly converted values and contextual descriptions.
How do DPI and PPI relate?
Numerically, DPI and PPI use the same value when specifying image resolution for print. A “300 DPI” image file is actually 300 PPI — it has 300 pixels per inch.
The printer then uses its own DPI to reproduce each pixel. A 1200 DPI printer uses ~16 dots (4×4) to reproduce each pixel of a 300 PPI image.
For most practical purposes, DPI and PPI are interchangeable when discussing image resolution. The distinction matters mainly in pre-press and printer calibration.
Practical tips
- Image resolution: always specified in PPI. 300 PPI = print quality, 72 PPI = web.
- Printer resolution: inkjet printers typically 1200–4800 DPI. Laser: 600–1200 DPI.
- Screen PPI: MacBook Pro 14″ = 254 PPI, iPhone 15 = 460 PPI.
- Changing PPI in Photoshop without resampling just changes the print size, not the pixel count.
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DPI vs PPI – comparison
| Feature | DPI (dots per inch) | PPI (pixels per inch) |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Printers | Screens and images |
| Measures | Physical ink dots | Digital pixels |
| Typical values | 600–4800 DPI | 72–460 PPI |
| Print quality | Higher = finer detail | 300 PPI standard |
| Common confusion | Used for images (incorrectly) | Correct term for images |
DPI (dots per inch)
- Applies to
Printers - Measures
Physical ink dots - Typical values
600–4800 DPI - Print quality
Higher = finer detail - Common confusion
Used for images (incorrectly)
PPI (pixels per inch)
- Applies to
Screens and images - Measures
Digital pixels - Typical values
72–460 PPI - Print quality
300 PPI standard - Common confusion
Correct term for images
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Frequently asked questions
Is DPI the same as PPI?
Not exactly. DPI (dots per inch) measures the physical dots a printer can place per inch. PPI (pixels per inch) measures screen or image pixel density. In everyday use — and in tools like Photoshop — both terms are used interchangeably for image resolution, even though they describe different things.
What PPI do I need for Walgreens or Shutterfly prints?
Walgreens and Shutterfly recommend 300 PPI for sharp 4×6, 5×7, and 8×10 prints. 150 PPI is acceptable for larger sizes (11×14 and above) viewed from a distance. Screen-resolution images at 72–96 PPI will look blurry when printed.
Does changing DPI in Photoshop affect quality?
Only if you enable resampling. Without resampling, changing PPI in Photoshop only adjusts the print size — no pixels are added or removed and quality is unchanged. With resampling checked, Photoshop adds or removes pixels, which can soften the image if you're upscaling.
What PPI is my monitor?
Calculate: PPI = √(width² + height²) ÷ diagonal inches. A 27" 4K monitor (3840×2160) = 163 PPI. A 14" MacBook Pro (3024×1964) = 254 PPI. Apple counts any display above ~220 PPI as Retina.
What is the legacy 72 DPI rule for web images?
The 72 PPI standard dates back to the original 1984 Mac display, which had 72 PPI to match 72-point type. Modern screens range from 96 PPI (budget monitors) to 460 PPI (iPhone). For web export, image PPI is irrelevant — only pixel dimensions matter for screen display.
How many PPI does a MacBook have?
MacBook Air M3 (13") has 224 PPI. MacBook Pro 14" has 254 PPI. MacBook Pro 16" has 254 PPI. All qualify as Retina displays since they exceed Apple's ~220 PPI threshold at typical viewing distance.
What resolution do I need for a 24×36 poster?
At 150 PPI (standard large-format), a 24×36" poster needs a 3,600×5,400 px source image. At 100 PPI (billboard or trade show distance), 2,400×3,600 px is sufficient. You do not need 300 PPI for large prints viewed from more than 1 meter away.
Are calculations done locally?
Yes. All calculations run in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
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