DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It describes how many dots of ink (or pixels) fit in one inch of printed output. Higher DPI means sharper prints. For digital screens, PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is the technically correct term.

Is 300 DPI always necessary?

For viewing distances under 50 cm (books, prints), 300 DPI is ideal. For posters viewed from 1+ metres, 150 DPI is fine. For billboards, even 30-72 DPI works because they are viewed from far away.

How do I find the DPI of an existing image?

In Photoshop, go to Image > Image Size. In Procreate, check Canvas > Canvas Information. On Windows, right-click the file > Properties > Details. Note that DPI metadata can be changed without altering pixels.

What is the difference between DPI and PPI?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) refers to screen display, DPI (Dots Per Inch) to print output. They are often used interchangeably in digital art. When preparing files, the important thing is the total pixel count and desired print size.

Can I change DPI without changing pixels?

Yes — changing DPI without resampling only changes the metadata (intended print size). The pixel count stays the same. In Photoshop, uncheck "Resample" in Image Size to change DPI without altering pixels.

How is the uncompressed file size worked out?

Uncompressed size = width × height × bytes per pixel. At 8-bit per channel, RGB uses 3 bytes per pixel and CMYK 4 bytes (about 33% larger). A 3000 × 4000 px RGB image is 3000 × 4000 × 3 = 36,000,000 bytes ≈ 34.3 MB. Saved JPEGs and PNGs compress this considerably; the figure here is the raw/TIFF-style ceiling, useful for planning storage and RAM.

What is bleed and should I add it?

Bleed is extra image beyond the trim line (3mm each edge is the UK/EU print standard) so colour runs to the very edge after the guillotine cut. Enter bleed in Advanced Options: in Pixels → Print mode the calculator shows both the full sheet and the finished trimmed size; in Print → Pixels mode it adds the bleed back on so your file has enough pixels to cover it.

ArtCalcs

DPI Calculator — Convert Between DPI, Pixels & Print Size

Convert between DPI, pixel dimensions and physical print size.

Conversion Mode

Pixel Width

Image width in pixels (Image Size in Photoshop, or Canvas Information in Procreate)

Pixel Height

Image height in pixels — the second number in your file's dimensions

DPI

Resolution in dots/pixels per inch

How We Calculate This

How DPI Conversion Works

Print size (cm) = (Pixels / DPI) x 2.54

Pixels = (cm / 2.54) x DPI

DPI = Pixels / (cm / 2.54)

Select your conversion mode and enter the known values. The calculator handles the conversion between pixels, centimetres and DPI in either direction, and also reports megapixels and the uncompressed file size (width × height × 3 bytes for RGB, × 4 for CMYK).

Add a bleed in Advanced Options for professional printing (3mm standard): the trimmed/finished size is shown alongside the full sheet so colour can run to the cut edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.