The DPI and PPI of a display are two important numbers that can help determine how well a monitor will perform. But what do they mean, and what’s the difference between them?
DPI is also known as “dots per inch,” while PPI stands for “pixels per inch.” Both numbers refer to how many dots or pixels fit into an inch of screen space. The higher the number, the more detailed and crisp the image will be.
The DPI setting determines how sharp text looks on your device — it’s a measurement of how many pixels or dots are packed into a single inch of screen space. The PPI number tells you how much detail there is in an image — it measures the number of pixels across one inch.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
DPI, or dots per inch, is a term used to describe the resolution of a monitor. It’s measured using the number of pixels that are contained within one inch of screen space. So if you have a screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 (which is common for HDTVs), it means there are 1920 pixels in every horizontal inch and 1080 pixels in every vertical inch.
PPI, or pixels per inch, is the actual number of pixels that are displayed on your computer or smartphone screen. It’s calculated by multiplying the number of horizontal pixels by the number of vertical pixels displayed on your monitor or device’s screen.
For example, if you have an iPhone XS Max — which has a 6.5-inch OLED display — your PPI will be 458 pixels per inch (2688 x 1242).
Dots per inch (dpi) is a measurement of how many ink dots make up a line. A high dpi means there are more ink dots in one line, so the image looks sharper and clearer. DPI is generally measured in printers and has little relevance for displays. Pixels per inch (ppi) is a measurement of how many pixels fit into each inch of screen space. PPI is important for both printing and displays because it tells you how much detail your display can show, which affects quality and sharpness.