Print glossary
DPI: definition
DPI (dots per inch) is the number of dots per inch in print. Print viewed up close needs about 300 DPI, and pixels are calculated as px = mm ÷ 25.4 × DPI.
- Close up
- 300 DPI
- Banners
- 100–150 DPI
- A4 at 300 DPI
- 2480 × 3508 px
More about the term
In practice DPI and PPI (pixels per inch) are used interchangeably. The value stored in a file’s DPI field does not matter; what counts is the pixel count and print size. A table for A5–A0: print resolution. You can also calculate it in the print resolution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is 72 DPI too low?
It depends on the size. What counts is how many pixels fall on an inch of print, not the number stored in the file.
DPI or PPI?
PPI refers to image pixels, DPI to printer dots. In file preparation both usually mean the same.
See also
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