What Is DPI?
DPI (Dots Per Inch) = number of printed dots per physical inch.
- 72 DPI — Screen resolution. Terrible for print.
- 150 DPI — Acceptable for large prints viewed from distance
- 300 DPI — Gold standard for professional printing
A 3000×2000 pixel image prints at:
- 300 DPI → 10 × 6.67 inches (sharp)
- 150 DPI → 20 × 13.3 inches (acceptable)
- 72 DPI → 41.7 × 27.8 inches (blurry)
How to Check DPI Online
- Open minifypic.com/image-size
- Upload your image
- The tool shows: pixel dimensions, DPI/PPI, file size, format, EXIF data
- Calculate max print size: Pixels ÷ 300 = Print inches
DPI Requirements by Print Type
| Print Product | Recommended DPI | Viewing Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Business cards | 300 DPI | 6-12 inches |
| Brochures / flyers | 300 DPI | 12-18 inches |
| Photo prints | 300 DPI | 12-24 inches |
| Posters (small) | 200-300 DPI | 2-3 feet |
| Large posters | 150 DPI | 3-6 feet |
| Banners | 100-150 DPI | 6-10 feet |
| Billboards | 30-72 DPI | 30+ feet |
Common DPI Myths
❌ "72 DPI is for web, 300 is for print" — Websites don't care about DPI. They only care about pixel dimensions.
❌ "I can increase DPI to make it print-quality" — Increasing the DPI tag doesn't add pixels. It just makes the print smaller.
❌ "My phone only shoots 72 DPI" — Your phone shoots 12MP (4000×3000 pixels), which prints at 13.3×10 inches at 300 DPI. The DPI tag is irrelevant.
The Formula
Print Size (inches) = Pixel Dimensions ÷ DPI
Example: 8×10 inch print at 300 DPI needs 2400×3000 pixels.
Use the Image Resizer to set exact pixel dimensions for your target print size.
FAQ
Q: What DPI is my phone camera? A: The tag says 72, but what matters is pixels. 12MP = 4000×3000 = sharp 13×10 inch print at 300 DPI.
Q: Does changing DPI change file size? A: No. DPI is a metadata tag. It doesn't change pixels or file size.
Q: What DPI for a poster? A: 150-200 DPI for posters viewed from 3+ feet. 300 DPI for small posters viewed up close.
