A measure of spatial resolution for printed or scanned images, DPI (Dots Per Inch) indicates the number of individual dots of ink or toner that can fit within a one-inch line. The concept applies to printing, scanning, and digital imaging, though the latter uses PPI (Pixels Per Inch) instead.
Printing
DPI (Dots Per Inch) refers to the number of ink droplets a printer can place in one inch. A higher DPI generally results in sharper and more detailed prints.
Scanning
When scanning an image, DPI indicates the number of dots the scanner captures per inch of the original image. A higher DPI setting during scanning will capture more detail and result in a larger file size.
Digital Images
While digital images don’t have a physical DPI, they have PPI (Pixels Per Inch), which is similar in concept. PPI determines the resolution of an image on a screen.
DPI vs. PPI
DPI and PPI are often used interchangeably, even though they refer to slightly different things. DPI is used for printed materials, while PPI is used for digital displays.
Additional Acronyms for DPI
- DPI - Deep Packet Inspection
