Glossary · Definition
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
DPI describes how finely a device places or samples dots across one inch. It is the most common way print and scan resolution is expressed.
By PrinterArchive EditorialEdited by PrinterArchive Editorial
DPI, short for dots per inch, expresses how densely a device renders or captures detail along a single inch. For a printer it refers to how many discrete dots of ink or toner are placed in a line; for a scanner it refers to how many samples are taken across an inch of the original.
Higher DPI generally allows finer detail, but the visible benefit depends on the medium, the content, and viewing distance. Text and line art reveal resolution differences more readily than continuous-tone photographs, where other factors such as halftoning and ink behaviour also matter.
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