The short answer
Why use DPI Checker?
Print shops and some forms ask for 300 DPI, and most viewers hide that number. This reads it straight from the file, and also makes clear when the pixel count, not the DPI tag, is what really limits print quality.
When a value is found, the report shows it as horizontal × vertical DPI, names where it came from, and works out the print size: pixels divided by DPI, in inches and centimeters. The rest of the report repeats the pixel size, ratio, megapixels and file size, and you can download it all as a .txt file.
A 72 DPI tag is not a quality problem. Many cameras and phones write 72 by default, and a 4000 × 3000 photo tagged 72 DPI still prints sharply at 13.3 × 10 inches when the shop sets 300. A low pixel count is the real limit: an 800 × 600 image tagged 300 DPI only covers 2.67 × 2 inches. This tool reads the value; it does not change it.
PPI Checker runs the same check under the name screens and printers often use. To work out how many pixels you need for a given print, Print Size does the math in reverse. If the pixel count is too low, Resize Image can enlarge it, but enlarging adds no real detail.
Where DPI Checker fits
Print shop orders
Answer a printer asking whether your file is 300 DPI, with the pixel count to back it up.
Scanned documents
Check what resolution a scanner saved into a page scan.
Book and magazine art
Confirm cover images meet a publisher's 300 DPI rule at the final printed size.
Start to finish
How to use DPI Checker
- 01Tap Choose image and pick the JPEG or PNG you plan to send to print.
- 02Tap Apply changes and read the Resolution line and where it was found: EXIF, the JFIF header or the PNG pHYs chunk.
- 03Check Prints at, or the 300 and 150 DPI sizes if none is stored, then Download result for the report.
What to expect from DPI Checker
| Check | What it means here |
|---|---|
| Supported input | JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, SVG and browser-supported AVIF images |
| Main controls | Choose a file; the results are read-only |
| Output | Dimensions, metadata, colors, or an extracted preview, depending on the tool |
| Working limit | 50 MB and 50 megapixels per image |
DPI Checker tips
- 72 DPI is a common default tag and says nothing about sharpness.
- Print size equals pixels divided by DPI; only more pixels give a bigger sharp print.
- Values stored per centimeter are converted to per inch for you.
- A JPEG header with units set to none reads as no DPI stored.
DPI Checker FAQ
Something missing? Ask us.
What does DPI mean for a digital image?
Where does the tool look for the DPI value?
Why does it say no DPI is stored?
Does DPI Checker upload my file?
Is DPI Checker free to use?
Why did DPI Checker fail or look wrong?
Related tools
More in Image Information.