Understanding PPI, DPI, and Screen Resolution
Whether you are a graphic designer buying a new monitor, a gamer looking for sharpness, or a developer designing a mobile app, pixel density matters. Our calculator determines the PPI (Pixels Per Inch) of any display based on its resolution and diagonal size.
PPI vs. DPI: What's the Difference?
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things:
- PPI (Pixels Per Inch): Refers to digital screens (monitors, smartphones). It measures how many individual pixels are packed into one inch of the display. Higher PPI means sharper images.
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): Refers to printers. It measures how many tiny dots of ink a printer lays down on paper to simulate a digital pixel.
What is a "Retina" Display?
"Retina Display" is a marketing term coined by Apple. It simply means the PPI is high enough that the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels at a normal viewing distance.
- Standard Monitor (24" 1080p): ~92 PPI
- High-Res Laptop (13" 2K): ~227 PPI (Retina)
- Smartphone (6" 1080p): ~400+ PPI
- Print Quality: 300 PPI is the industry standard for high-quality printing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does higher PPI drain more battery?
Yes. A display with higher resolution (and thus higher PPI) requires the GPU to render more pixels, which consumes more power. This is why many smartphones allow you to lower the resolution in software to save battery.
What PPI do I need for gaming?
For PC gaming, a PPI between 90 and 110 is generally considered the "sweet spot" (e.g., 27-inch 1440p). It offers great sharpness without putting excessive load on your graphics card.
Disclaimer: The calculated optimal viewing distance is a theoretical recommendation based on 20/20 vision. Personal preference may vary.