If you’ve ever worked with images, whether for web, print, or design, you’ve likely come across the terms DPI and PPI. They sound similar and both relate to image resolution, but they serve very different purposes.
DPI (dots per inch) and PPI (pixels per inch) both measure image resolution, but they apply to different mediums:
- DPI is all about printing—how many ink dots a printer lays down per inch.
- PPI is about digital screens—how many pixels are displayed in each inch of a digital image.
Let’s break it down:
DPI refers to the number of dots a printer uses to compose an image on physical media. The higher the DPI, the more dots are packed into every inch, which usually results in a crisper, more detailed print.
Example:
A 300 DPI image means the printer outputs 300 dots of ink horizontally and vertically for every inch of paper. This is considered professional print quality.
Ensure you use the appropriate DPI setting when preparing images for brochures, posters, and magazines intended for print.
PPI defines the pixel density of an image on a screen. The more pixels you have in each inch, the sharper the image appears, especially on high-resolution displays like Retina or 4K monitors.
Example:
An image set to 300 PPI contains 300 pixels per inch on-screen. This is mostly used in design tools to control how detailed an image looks when viewed at actual size.
Use PPI when creating images for websites, social media, and digital interfaces.
| Term | Stands For | Used In | Affects |
| DPI | Dots Per Inch | Ink density on paper | |
| PPI | Pixels Per Inch | Digital/Screen | Pixel density on display |
While both involve “resolution,” they aren’t interchangeable:
- Changing the DPI won’t impact how an image looks on screen.
- Changing the PPI won’t affect how it prints, unless you rescale the image dimensions in your design software.
- Designing a logo for both print and web? You’ll need versions in both 300 DPI (for print) and 72 or 96 PPI (for screen).
- Uploading to a CMS? Focus on PPI and file dimensions, not DPI.
- Sending to a printer? Make sure your file is at least 300 DPI and matches the required dimensions in inches.
Cloudinary doesn’t directly manipulate DPI, but it excels at:
- Resizing images for screen with pixel-perfect precision
- Converting formats (e.g., PNG to WebP or AVIF) for faster load times
- Serving the right resolution for any device using responsive image features like
srcsetor dynamic transformations
Example:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/demo/image/upload/w_800,q_auto,f_auto/sample.jpg" alt="Optimized Image">
This auto-adjusts quality and format for best display on digital screens (where PPI matters).
DPI is for printers. PPI is for screens.
Knowing the difference helps you deliver crisp, clean images in every format, whether you’re creating a print brochure or designing a mobile-optimized webpage.
Still unsure which resolution to use? Start with the end in mind:
If it’s going to paper → think in DPI
If it’s staying digital → think in PPI
Optimize, transform, and manage your media assets like a pro with Cloudinary. Sign up for free today!