What Is DPI vs PPI?

DPI vs PPI explained

DPI (dots per inch) and PPI (pixels per inch) are both measures of resolution, but they apply to different contexts. PPI describes the density of pixels in a digital image or on a screen — a 3000x2000 pixel image printed at 10 inches wide has a PPI of 300. DPI describes the density of ink dots a printer can place per inch, which is a physical property of the printer hardware. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably (incorrectly), but the distinction matters: changing an image's DPI metadata does not add or remove pixels, it only changes the suggested print size. For web use, PPI is largely irrelevant because screens display images pixel-for-pixel. For print, 300 PPI is the standard for sharp output, while 72 PPI is insufficient and will appear pixelated.

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Real-world examples