What Is DPI? 200 DPI, 300 DPI and Print Size Explained Simply
What DPI means, how it relates to pixels and centimetres, and what to do when a form asks for a specific DPI.
DPI (dots per inch) tells a printer how many pixels to place in one inch. It connects pixel size to physical size:
Print size (inches) = Pixels ÷ DPI · 1 inch = 2.54 cm
Examples
| Pixels | DPI | Prints at |
|---|---|---|
| 600 × 600 | 300 | 2 × 2 inch (5.08 cm) |
| 276 × 354 | 200 | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| 413 × 531 | 300 | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
Does DPI change image quality?
Changing only the DPI number doesn't change the pixels, so the picture looks identical on screen. It only changes the size it prints at. To get a sharp print at a given size you need enough pixels.
A form says “200 DPI” — what do I do?
- If it gives only DPI: set DPI to 200 with “Only DPI”.
- If it gives DPI and a size in cm: choose “Set print size”, enter the cm size and 200 DPI — the tool computes the pixels.
When converting PDFs to images, pick the DPI in PDF to JPG: 150 DPI for screen, 300 DPI for print.