DPI to PPI
Convert between DPI and PPI measurements
Settings & input
Quick presets & examples
Your inputs are never uploaded or stored.
Results
Enter your values to see the results.
About the DPI / PPI Calculator & Converter
Our free DPI/PPI calculator lets you compute the pixel density of any screen by entering its resolution and diagonal size. Knowing a display's PPI (pixels per inch) is essential for evaluating sharpness, choosing optimal viewing distances, and preparing artwork that looks crisp on every device.
The tool also includes a bidirectional DPI-to-PPI converter. While DPI (dots per inch) is traditionally used in printing and PPI refers to digital screens, the two values are numerically equivalent in most practical contexts. Our converter clarifies the distinction and lets you switch between the two instantly.
Built-in device presets for popular phones, tablets, laptops, and monitors let you load common specs with a single click. The results panel shows your PPI, a quality rating (Low to Retina), the optimal viewing distance, pixel density per square centimeter, and the aspect ratio -- everything you need to evaluate a display at a glance.
Key Features
- Accurate PPI calculation from screen width, height & diagonal size
- DPI-to-PPI and PPI-to-DPI conversion modes
- Display quality rating: Low, Standard, High, Very High & Retina
- Optimal viewing distance calculation based on pixel density
- Pixel density per square centimeter readout
- Aspect ratio computation for any resolution
- One-click device presets for iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Samsung & more
- Real-time results that update as you type
- Informational panel explaining DPI vs. PPI differences
- Fully responsive, dark-mode-compatible interface
How to Use
- Select a calculator mode: Choose "Calculate PPI," "DPI to PPI," or "PPI to DPI" depending on your need.
- Enter screen specs: In PPI mode, type the screen width (pixels), height (pixels), and diagonal size (inches).
- Or load a preset: Click any device preset to autofill its resolution and screen size instantly.
- Review the results: Check the PPI value, quality rating, optimal viewing distance, and pixel density.
- Convert DPI/PPI: Switch to a conversion mode and enter a DPI or PPI value to see its equivalent.
Use Cases
- Graphic design: Determine whether your display is sharp enough for detail work or if you need a higher-PPI monitor.
- Web development: Optimize images and CSS media queries for standard, high-DPI, and Retina screens.
- Print production: Verify that your artwork resolution meets the 300 DPI standard before sending files to press.
- UI/UX design: Ensure interface elements scale correctly across devices with varying pixel densities.
- Hardware comparison: Compare display specs of different phones, tablets, or monitors before purchasing.
- App development: Choose the right asset sizes (@1x, @2x, @3x) based on target device PPI ranges.
- Digital art & photography: Understand canvas sizing and export resolution for crisp on-screen display.
- Ergonomics: Calculate the ideal desk-to-screen distance to reduce eye strain based on PPI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
DPI (dots per inch) describes print resolution -- the number of ink dots a printer places per inch. PPI (pixels per inch) describes screen resolution -- the number of pixels per inch on a digital display. Numerically they are often used interchangeably, but they apply to different mediums.
What PPI is considered "Retina"?
Apple defines Retina as a display where individual pixels are indistinguishable at a typical viewing distance. For phones this is roughly 300+ PPI; for laptops and desktops it can be 200+ PPI due to greater viewing distance.
How is optimal viewing distance calculated?
It is based on the angular resolution of the human eye (approximately 1 arcminute). The formula divides this threshold by the PPI to determine the distance at which individual pixels become invisible.
Tips & Best Practices
- Use presets as benchmarks: Compare your display's PPI against well-known devices to gauge relative sharpness.
- Target 300 DPI for print: When preparing files for professional printing, ensure your artwork resolution is at least 300 DPI at the final print size.
- Consider viewing distance: A 27-inch monitor at 109 PPI looks perfectly sharp at arm's length, even though its PPI is lower than a phone's.
- Provide multiple asset sizes: For mobile apps, export icons and images at @1x, @2x, and @3x to cover all density brackets.
- Measure the actual diagonal: Marketing may round screen sizes; for accurate PPI, measure the viewable diagonal with a ruler.
- Bookmark for future reference: Save this tool for whenever you need to evaluate a new display or prepare assets for a different device class.