DPI Calculator
DPI means dots per inch. It tells you how many pixels land in each inch of a printed photo. Enter the pixel width and the print width, and the answer updates as you change either one.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Divide the pixel width by the print width in inches. The print width is converted to inches first, so you can enter centimetres or inches.
Around 300 DPI is a common target for photos held in the hand. Large prints viewed from further away can use fewer, so treat 300 as a guide rather than a rule.
Worked example
A photo 6,000 pixels wide printed 12 in wide comes out at 500 DPI.
Questions
What DPI should I print at?
Many print shops ask for 300 DPI. Large posters viewed from a distance often look fine at lower numbers. Ask your printer what they want.
Does a higher DPI make a better photo?
Not by itself. DPI only sets how tightly the pixels are packed on paper. A photo with more pixels to start with keeps more detail when it is printed bigger.
Why does the same photo give a different DPI at another size?
The pixel count stays the same, so a bigger print spreads those pixels across more inches. Smaller prints give a higher DPI.
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