DPI vs PPI: They're not the same
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) describes digital images — how many pixels exist per inch on screen. DPI (Dots Per Inch) describes printing — how many ink dots a printer places per inch on paper.
These terms are frequently confused because they both describe density. In practice:
- When you're working with digital images, you're dealing with PPI.
- When you're printing, both PPI (of the source image) and DPI (of the printer) matter.
Does DPI matter for digital uploads?
For screen-only use (websites, social media, exam portals), DPI/PPI is largely irrelevant. What matters is the pixel dimensions (e.g., 600×600 px) and file size (e.g., 200KB).
A 600×600 px image looks identical on screen whether it's saved at 72 PPI or 300 PPI. The PPI metadata doesn't change the actual number of pixels — it only tells printers how to scale the image.
When uploading to portals like UPSC or SSC, focus on pixel dimensions and KB size, not DPI.
When DPI actually matters
DPI matters when you're printing. Standard print quality requires:
| Use case | Recommended PPI |
|---|---|
| Standard photo printing | 300 PPI |
| Magazine / professional printing | 300–350 PPI |
| Large format posters | 150–200 PPI |
| Billboard / very large prints | 72–100 PPI |
How to check and change DPI
Most image editing tools show DPI in the image properties. To change it without altering the image:
- PhotoResizer.in: Use the Image Resizer — set dimensions in pixels for digital use.
- Photoshop: Image → Image Size → uncheck Resample → change Resolution.
- GIMP: Image → Print Size → change resolution.
Remember: changing DPI metadata without resampling doesn't add or remove pixels. It only changes how the image scales when printed.