PPI & DPI Calculator

Q: What is PPI (Pixels Per Inch)?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) measures pixel density - how many pixels are packed into one inch of screen. Higher PPI means sharper images and text. It's calculated by dividing the diagonal pixel count by the screen's diagonal size in inches.

Q: What PPI is considered Retina display?

Apple defines Retina as a display where pixels are not individually distinguishable at typical viewing distance. For phones (held at ~10-12 inches), this is around 300+ PPI. For laptops (~18 inches), it's around 220 PPI. For desktop monitors (~24 inches), about 110 PPI may suffice.

Q: How do I calculate PPI?

PPI = √(width² + height²) / diagonal. For example, a 27-inch 2560×1440 monitor: √(2560² + 1440²) / 27 = 2940 / 27 ≈ 109 PPI.

Q: What is the difference between PPI and DPI?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) refers to screen display density. DPI (Dots Per Inch) traditionally refers to print resolution. For screens, PPI is the correct term, though they're often used interchangeably.

Q: Does higher PPI mean better quality?

Higher PPI generally means sharper images, but the optimal PPI depends on viewing distance. A 55-inch 4K TV at 80 PPI looks sharp from a couch, while a phone at the same PPI would look pixelated. Match PPI to your typical viewing distance.

Q: What is a good PPI for a monitor?

For desktop monitors at typical viewing distance (24-30 inches), 100-110 PPI is acceptable, 140-160 PPI is good for sharp text, and 200+ PPI is excellent. A 27-inch 4K monitor at 163 PPI offers a great balance of sharpness and usability.

Q: What PPI do I need for gaming?

For gaming monitors at typical desk distance (2-3 feet), 100-110 PPI is the minimum for acceptable clarity. 140-165 PPI (27" 4K or 24" 1440p) provides excellent sharpness while maintaining good frame rates. Higher PPI requires more GPU power to maintain smooth gameplay.

Q: Is 4K worth it on a 27-inch monitor?

Yes, 4K on a 27-inch monitor provides 163 PPI, which is excellent for sharp text and detailed images. However, you may need to use display scaling (125-150%) for comfortable reading, and you'll need a powerful GPU for gaming at native 4K resolution.

Q: How do I convert DPI to PPI?

For screens, DPI and PPI are essentially the same value - no conversion needed. DPI is traditionally used for printing while PPI is used for screens. When someone says a monitor has '96 DPI', they mean 96 PPI. Our calculator works for both PPI and DPI calculations.

Free pixel density calculator for screens. Calculate PPI (pixels per inch) and DPI for monitors, phones, and TVs. Find the ideal resolution for your display size.

PPI & DPI Calculator

Calculate pixel density (PPI/DPI) for any screen or display

Device Presets

Resolution (pixels)

Screen Diagonal

Pixel Density

109PPI

Average

Pixel Pitch

0.233 mm

Min Distance

2.6 ft

Quality Assessment

Acceptable for larger screens

Pixel Density Visualizer

0150300450+

Text Clarity Simulation

80 PPI

55" TV

109 PPI

Your Display

460 PPI

iPhone

Relative Pixel Size (to scale)

80 PPI

109 PPI

460 PPI

Each square represents one pixel at that density

Compared to Common Devices

iPhone 17

458

MacBook Pro 14"

254

27" 4K Monitor

163

27" QHD Monitor

109

55" 4K TV

Your Display

109

How to Calculate PPI & DPI

Choose Your Mode

Select Calculate PPI/DPI to find pixel density from resolution and screen size, or Find Resolution to calculate required resolution for a target PPI.

Enter Display Details

Input your screen resolution (width × height in pixels) and diagonal screen size. Use device presets for quick calculations.

View Results & Compare

Get instant PPI calculation with quality rating, pixel pitch, and optimal viewing distance. Compare against popular devices.

When to Use This PPI & DPI Calculator

Choosing a Monitor

Compare PPI across different monitor sizes and resolutions. Find if 1440p or 4K is right for your desk setup and viewing distance.

Monitor size calculator

Optimal Viewing Distance

Calculate the minimum distance where pixels become invisible. Essential for home theater setup and desk ergonomics.

Learn about PPI

Gaming Display Quality

Find the right balance between PPI and performance. Higher resolution means sharper graphics but requires more GPU power.

Compare gaming monitors

Pixel Density Guide: PPI & DPI Reference

Compare pixels per inch across different screen sizes and resolutions. Use this chart to find the ideal pixel density for your monitor or display.

PPI Quality Ratings

300+ PPI Retina/Excellent - No visible pixels

200-300 PPI Very Good - Minimal visible pixels

150-200 PPI Good - Sharp for desktop use

100-150 PPI Average - Standard desktop monitors

<100 PPI Low - Visible pixels (TVs, projectors)

Typical Device PPI

iPhone 17 458 PPI

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 505 PPI

MacBook Pro 14" 254 PPI

27" 4K Monitor 163 PPI

27" QHD Monitor 109 PPI

55" 4K TV 80 PPI

Screen Size	1080p PPI	1440p PPI	4K PPI	4K Formula
24"	92 PPI	122 PPI	184 PPI	√(3840²+2160²)÷24
27"	82 PPI	109 PPI	163 PPI	√(3840²+2160²)÷27
32"	69 PPI	92 PPI	138 PPI	√(3840²+2160²)÷32
55" TV	40 PPI	53 PPI	80 PPI	√(3840²+2160²)÷55
65" TV	34 PPI	45 PPI	68 PPI	√(3840²+2160²)÷65

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PPI & DPI FAQ: Pixel Density Questions

What is PPI (Pixels Per Inch)?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) measures pixel density - how many pixels are packed into one inch of screen. Higher PPI means sharper images and text. It's calculated by dividing the diagonal pixel count by the screen's diagonal size in inches.

What PPI is considered Retina display?

Apple defines Retina as a display where pixels are not individually distinguishable at typical viewing distance. For phones (held at ~10-12 inches), this is around 300+ PPI. For laptops (~18 inches), it's around 220 PPI. For desktop monitors (~24 inches), about 110 PPI may suffice.

How do I calculate PPI?

PPI = √(width² + height²) / diagonal. For example, a 27-inch 2560×1440 monitor: √(2560² + 1440²) / 27 = 2940 / 27 ≈ 109 PPI.

What is the difference between PPI and DPI?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) refers to screen display density. DPI (Dots Per Inch) traditionally refers to print resolution. For screens, PPI is the correct term, though they're often used interchangeably.

Does higher PPI mean better quality?

Higher PPI generally means sharper images, but the optimal PPI depends on viewing distance. A 55-inch 4K TV at 80 PPI looks sharp from a couch, while a phone at the same PPI would look pixelated. Match PPI to your typical viewing distance.

What is a good PPI for a monitor?

For desktop monitors at typical viewing distance (24-30 inches), 100-110 PPI is acceptable, 140-160 PPI is good for sharp text, and 200+ PPI is excellent. A 27-inch 4K monitor at 163 PPI offers a great balance of sharpness and usability.

What PPI do I need for gaming?

For gaming monitors at typical desk distance (2-3 feet), 100-110 PPI is the minimum for acceptable clarity. 140-165 PPI (27" 4K or 24" 1440p) provides excellent sharpness while maintaining good frame rates. Higher PPI requires more GPU power to maintain smooth gameplay.

Is 4K worth it on a 27-inch monitor?

Yes, 4K on a 27-inch monitor provides 163 PPI, which is excellent for sharp text and detailed images. However, you may need to use display scaling (125-150%) for comfortable reading, and you'll need a powerful GPU for gaming at native 4K resolution.

How do I convert DPI to PPI?

For screens, DPI and PPI are essentially the same value - no conversion needed. DPI is traditionally used for printing while PPI is used for screens. When someone says a monitor has '96 DPI', they mean 96 PPI. Our calculator works for both PPI and DPI calculations.