What is the Difference Between DPI and PPI?

The main difference between Dots Per Inch (DPI) and Pixels Per Inch (PPI) lies in the fact that DPI refers to the number of printed dots contained within one inch of an image printed by a printer, while PPI refers to the number of pixels contained within one inch of an image displayed on a computer monitor.

Here are the key differences between DPI and PPI:

• DPI: This term is used to determine the print size of an image on paper. Increasing the DPI will make the size of the printed image smaller, while decreasing the DPI will make the size of the printed image larger. DPI primarily concerns print and has no effect on digital images.
• PPI: This term describes the resolution in pixels of a digital image. PPI represents the quality of a digital image displayed on-screen and also contributes to the quality of an image. Unlike DPI, PPI affects the size of the digital image, which in turn affects the print size and quality.

In summary, DPI is used for printing purposes, while PPI is used for digital displays. Both terms define the resolution of an image, but they refer to different media: digital versus print.

Comparative Table: DPI vs PPI

DPI (Dots Per Inch) and PPI (Pixels Per Inch) are two terms often used in the context of printing and digital imaging. Although they are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct differences:

In summary, DPI is relevant for printing, while PPI is relevant for digital images on screens. Understanding the difference between DPI and PPI is essential for producing high-quality prints and digital images.