


Note how the pixel resolution is calculated automatically based on the DPI (300). However, if we sent it at 300DPI with no scaling, the resulting image would measure smaller-5.3圆.6” to be precise.Īffinity Photo’s New Document dialog, toggling between Pixels and Inches as the measurement. If we were to send this image to the printer at 200DPI, the physical size would be correct at 8x10”. Let’s say however that we wish to print an 8x10” photograph, but at 200DPI instead:Īs you can see, this is a lower pixel resolution. Again, once sent to a printer at 300DPI, the result would be an exact 8x10” print. This time we would set our document size in pixels to 2400x3000px. Similarly, let’s say we want to print an 8x10” photograph at 300 dots-per-inch: If we were then to send this to the printer with an instruction to print at 300 dots-per-inch, the result would be exactly 6x4 inches in physical size. Therefore, when creating a new document or resizing an image, we could set the width and height in pixels to 1800x1200px. Say you want to print a 6x4” photograph at 300 dots-per-inch, which is considered optimal for high resolution printing. Thus we have the dots-per-inch measurement, which defines the print density and bridges the physical measurement of inches with our digital pixel resolutions. Printers, for example, don’t work in pixels, so we need a way of translating our content on screen-pixel dimensions-to a printable format.
#HOW TO CALCULATE DPI RESOLUTION SOFTWARE#
Even software and entire operating systems use DPI, when really PPI would be more technically accurate-this article will mainly focus on using DPI as its working term.ĭPI is used to calculate physical measurements. In any case, DPI and PPI are often conflated, and there will be an eternal debate about the term DPI being used incorrectly in the place of PPI. To further confuse matters, you’ve also likely seen the term PPI used-this acronym means Pixels Per Inch, although you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s also something you were mis-sold when you applied for credit. It’s often confused with pixel resolution, and its importance for web imagery and general use is sometimes misunderstood. Once understood, the concept becomes more straightforward, but explaining it requires some exposition. Learn what DPI is and when you should and shouldn’t worry about it.ĭPI (Dots Per Inch) is an interesting topic.
