You can increase the DPI of an image with Let’s Enhance, Photoshop, GIMP, and free online converters. Or you can simply change the DPI in your printing software settings.
So which app should you use?
It depends on why you need to increase the DPI:
- to change the DPI value saved in an image file
- or to increase pixel density and sharpness of your photo for printing.
Below you'll learn which tool will be the best in your case and how to use it.
DPI metadata sets the recommended default pixel density for printing. It is stored in the image file along with the date, time, camera model, etc.
How to check the DPI
You can check DPI by viewing image properties in almost any file manager or photo editor.
Windows 10
- Open File Explorer and go to your image folder.
- Right-click on the file and select Properties > Details.
Mac
To check the DPI on macOS:
- Open Finder and go to your image location
- Right-click on the image and select Open with > Preview
- Click Tools > Show Inspector.
Do you need to change the DPI in photo metadata?
Changing the DPI value by itself doesn’t add pixels, sharpness, or clarity to your image.
And in most cases, you don’t need to override it.
Your printing software will calculate the DPI based on your source file’s resolution, when you choose the print size.
For example, you have an image file with 1000 x 800 resolution, and you want to print it as a 10 by 8-inch photo.
In this case, you’ll have 100 pixels for every inch. And the actual pixel density would be 100, whether the DPI value is set to 72, 300, or 1000.
With that same file, you’ll get a 167 DPI for a smaller, 6x4 inch picture.
So reducing your print size is one way to increase the DPI and make your photo look sharper.
But what if you don’t want to compromise on size?
Let’s say you want to print this 1000 x 800 file as a 10 x 8 photo at 300 DPI.
In this case, you need to increase the resolution of your image. In this particular example — to 3000 x 2400 pixels.
Having higher resolution in your source file allows to cram more pixels in every inch of your photo. Hence, you’ll have a higher DPI.
Check how the print size changes depending on the resolution and DPI in the table below.
Resolution | Megapixels | Print Size at 300dpi, in | Print size at 200dpi, in |
2048 × 1536 | 3 | 6.82 × 5.12 | 10.24 × 7.68 |
2464 × 1632 | 4 | 8.21 × 5.44 | 12.32 × 8.16 |
3008 × 2000 | 6 | 10.02 × 6.67 | 15.04 × 10.00 |
3264 × 2448 | 8 | 10.88 × 8.16 | 16.32 × 12.24 |
3872 × 2592 | 10 | 12.91 × 8.64 | 19.36 × 12.96 |
4290 × 2800 | 12 | 14.30 × 9.34 | 21.45 × 14.00 |
4920 × 3264 | 16 | 16.40 × 10.88 | 24.60 × 16.32 |
Takeaway: For higher DPI and better print quality — increase the total amount of pixels in your digital picture.
Now, increasing the resolution wasn’t really a thing up until recently. Traditional photo editors use old upscaling algorithms that reduce image quality and lose details.
But with our AI-based technology, you can almost magically add more pixels to your source photo.
How to increase DPI of your photo for bigger and sharper prints with Let’s Enhance
Step 1. Log in
Log in to your Let’s Enhance account or go to https://letsenhance.io/signup to create a new one. You can also sign in with Google or Facebook.
Step 2. Upload your images
Upload photos you want to enhance. You can do this by
- Using drag & drop
- Selecting files from your device
- Importing them from Google Drive or URL
You can check the output DPI value below the resolution in the uploader.
Step 3. Set the desired resolution and DPI
When editing photos with Let’s Enhance, you can set your desired DPI metadata value and resolution.
Our default DPI is 300 for all operations. If you upload the image with a different DPI value, the output DPI would be rewritten to 300, in case you don’t change the settings.
You can set custom DPI under Resolution settings if you select the Photo upscale type.
Two of our older algorithms (Photo 1.0 and Illustration) also support changing the DPI.
In the future, we plan to add a custom DPI option to the remaining two modes: Smart Enhance and Digital Art.
Note: Changing the DPI value without increasing resolution doesn’t add more details to your image. It’s only the recommended default value for printers.
If you want to print a low-res photo at high pixel density, it will result in tiny output size.
In the example below, we have an 1162 x 702 (0.9 MP) image that was cropped to zoom in the flying swangs.
At 300 DPI, the print size of this 1162 x 702 cropped picture would be 3.87 x 2.34 inches.
With Let’s Enhance, you can increase the resolution while keeping or increasing pixel density. This will allow you to print larger and crisper photos.
Click on the Width & Height tab on the Size sidebar and set the resolution.
Here, we set the larger side’s resolution to 5250 (the smaller side will be increased proportionally). It will allow us to print a 15 x 9” photo at 350 DPI.
Step 4. Launch the processing
Click the “Start processing” button and wait till the processing ends.
To get notifications when your photos are ready, click the Bell icon.
Step 5. Download your enhanced image
When your new file is ready, the thumbnail will turn from blurry to clear, and the download arrow button will appear.
After processing is finished, you can save the image to your device and check the result.
We’ll also store your enhanced photos on the cloud for 6 months for free. So you can go back to them any time you want.
Now, you can print that same file as a 15 x 9-inch photo at 350 DPI.
Don’t want to set the DPI and resolution manually? Use one of our presets for printing, real estate, or eCommerce.
Printing Presets
We have various ready-made presets for printing.
You can choose from popular standards for posters, photos, and international paper sizes from A5 to A0.
Our app will calculate and set the right resolution for the preset you choose at 300 DPI.
E. g., you want to print the file from the example above on an A4 paper. Let’s Enhance will set the resolution to 5806 x 3508 and upscale your image to meet A4 dimensions.
When you don’t need Let’s Enhance
Let’s Enhance works best when you want to increase the DPI, quality, and resolution of your image.
But what if you want to override the metadata DPI only without improving image quality? For example, some websites require a certain minimum value of DPI / PPI for uploading pictures.
If your sole purpose is to override the DPI value in an image file metadata, there’s a couple of ways to do it. Learn how in the section below.
If you want to change the DPI metadata only, you can use almost any photo editing software:
- Free for Windows, Mac, and Linux: GIMP
- Paid for Windows, Mac: Photoshop
- Free online DPI converters
These tools override the DPI value in your file without affecting resolution or print quality.
How to change the DPI in GIMP
GIMP is a free photo editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
You can use it to change the DPI in EXIF metadata.
- Go to Image > Print Size
- Set your desired DPI value for X resolution. Y resolution changes automatically if you keep the Chain icon intact.
- Go to File >
- Save — to apply changes to the current file.
- Save As — to change the name of the file.
- Save a Copy — to make a new file.
How to change the DPI in Photoshop
- Go to Image > Image size
- In the window that pops up, set the DPI you want in the “Resolution” field. And click OK.
Make sure that
- Units are set to Pixels/Inch
- Resample box is unchecked. Otherwise, Photoshop will stretch your image or shrink it down to the new resolution and make it blurry.
- Go to File >
- Save — to apply changes to the current file.
- Save As — to make a new file in your preferred format.
In March 2021, Adobe introduced a better upscaling option called “Super Resolution” in the Camera Raw 13.2 release. We tested it side-by-side with Let’s Enhance. Check out the results here.
How to change the DPI online for free
You can use any other similar website. They all work more or less in the same way.
- Choose the desired DPI value.
- Click the "choose image" button.
- Pick an image from your device.
This DPI converter supports JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, and ICO.
- The image with the new DPI value will be downloaded to your device in a few seconds.
You can also use this website to change the DPI on your iPhone or Android smartphone.
Note: this service overrides DPI property only and doesn’t improve image quality.
What to consider when choosing the DPI for printing
Generally, the higher the DPI, the better. Aim at 300 DPI or more when possible. But sometimes you can get away with smaller pixel density.
To estimate the minimal DPI consider 3 things: viewing distance, subject matter, and printing material.
Viewing distance
The closer people will look at your photo, the more DPI you need to make it look crisp.
300–400 DPI is a good ballpark for photo books, flyers, brochures or other printed materials that people will look at closely.
But for posters or placards, even 100–200 DPI might be enough if viewers would look at them from a couple of feet away.
Use a cheat sheet below to estimate the minimum DPI based on expected viewing distance:
Viewing Distance | Min DPI |
less than 0.6m / 2ft | 300+ |
0.6m / 2ft | 300 |
1m / 3.3ft | 180 |
2m / 6.5ft | 90 |
5m / 16ft | 35 |
15m / 50ft | 12 |
50m / 160ft | 4 |
200m / 650ft | 1 |
Yes, even 1 DPI can sometimes be OK. Think of a billboard that hangs a block away.
Subject matter
What’s depicted in your photo is also a factor. The more little detail your main object has, the higher DPI you need. For instance, trees can require more pixel density than skin.
Paper coating
The high-quality paper holds the ink better and allows for more detail. That’s why you can safely set the DPI to 300 or more for coated glossy paper.
And as for uncoated paper, there is no point in opting for more than 200–250 DPI.
FAQ
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
The words DPI (Dots Per Inch) and PPI (Pixels Per Inch) are often used interchangeably. We also use them as synonyms to make things simple.
There is a technical difference, however.
PPI value shows how many pixels there’s on every inch of your screen OR in your source digital picture for print.
DPI shows how many dots of ink the printer puts on one inch of paper.
What is DPI in printers’ settings?
Generally, choosing the higher DPI in the printer settings increases photos’ quality but uses more ink and slows printing speed down.
Depending on the printer’s model, there could be different DPI settings. For instance, many HP printers have 4 DPI modes: Draft, Normal, Best, and MAX DPI.
Some brands allow you to choose the exact DPI, usually from 100 to 1000. But this is a simplified number, and it doesn’t directly correlate with pixels per inch.
The actual amount of dots is calculated by printers’ internal software.
Typical inkjet printers have ink of 4 colors. Digital images consist of pixels that can have at least 256 different colors.
To compensate for the difference in color range, printers spray combinations of multiple dots to simulate how one pixel looks on a screen.
Is 72 DPI a high resolution?
72 and 96 DPI are just legacy numbers passed down from old industry standards. Although those values are often embedded in image files, they don't say anything about image quality. What matters is the total resolution of the image, i.e., its megapixels.
How to change DPI in Paint?
Unfortunately, MS Paint doesn’t have this option. But you can check the DPI in Paint by going to File > Properties.
Final tips
What DPI you need depends on how many small details there are on your photo and how close people will look at it.
300 DPI is the optimal pixel density for photos, brochures, and other printed materials that people will look at arm’s length or closer.
Also if you’re going to use a printing service, don’t forget to ask about their minimal DPI requirements. For instance, Printful requires your photo to be at least 150 DPI.
In case you need a higher DPI for the print you want, you can always use Let’s Enhance.
Our tool allows you not only to increase the DPI to 300+ but also enhance the resolution and actual pixel density of your photos for crisp prints of any size.
So try our tool for free right now.
And if you’re a printing company check out our solution tailored for your business.
FAQs
How do I increase the DPI of an image for printing? ›
If you want to increase the DPI, then you should increase the value in X resolution and Y resolution box. If you want to decrease the DPI of the image, then you should decrease the value in the X resolution box and Y resolution box.
How to convert 96 DPI to 300 DPI? ›First, open your 96 DPI image in Photoshop. Then go to 'Image' tab and select "Image Size" and set the resolution on 300 DPI (Pixels/Inch) and then save it. - S. M.
Can you change 240 DPI to 300 DPI? ›1 Correct answer. You can change the resolution in Photoshop: Image > Image Size. Ensure Resample is unticked. The image dimensions will decrease as your increase the PPI.
How many pixels do I need for 300 DPI? ›Understanding the DPI ratio
Usually, for a quality print, we need about 300 DPI, meaning that an image the size of an A4 paper should count 2480x3507 pixels.
If you need a higher resolution, go to the General category in the Preferences of Adobe Acrobat Reader and choose Use fixed resolution for Snapshot tool images and set the resolution you need, e.g. 300 dpi. Important: When pasting the screenshot into Photoshop, you should set the resolution of the new file to 300 dpi.
Is 300 DPI best for printing? ›In many cases, the best resolution for printing is 300 PPI. At 300 pixels per inch (which roughly translates to 300 DPI, or dots per inch, on a printing press), an image will appear sharp and crisp. These are considered to be high resolution, or high-res, images.
Is 300 DPI OK for printing? ›DPI stands for dots per square inch. A 300 DPI image is considered to be a high quality photo for print.
How do I convert to higher DPI? ›To change an image's DPI in Photoshop, go to Image > Image Size. Uncheck Resample Image, because this setting will upscale your image, which will make it lower quality. Now, next to Resolution, type in your preferred resolution, set as Pixels/Inch. Notice how the Width and Height figures change, too.
Is 300 DPI the same as 300 resolution? ›So, when you ask yourself, “what is 300 DPI in Pixels Per Inch per image,” the answer is 300 because 300 DPI in an image means there are 300 pixels per inch in your web design image.
Is 72 DPI the same as 300 DPI? ›What is the difference between 72 and 300 DPI? 72 dpi is used for internet imaging. 300 dpi is used for photographic printing. 300 dpi gives much higher resolution when enlarging photos.
How do I convert JPG to 300 DPI? ›
- 300 DPI Converter. Change DPI of an image online. Choose file. Google Photos.
- 300 DPI Converter. Change DPI of an image online. Choose file. Fast Tool. Just select DPI between predefined settings: 600, 300, 200, 150, 100, 72, or enter the necessary one, wait a few moments and save. Change DPI Online.
You can increase the DPI of an image with Let's Enhance, Photoshop, GIMP, and free online converters. Or you can simply change the DPI in your printing software settings.
How do I convert a JPEG to 300 DPI in Photoshop? ›- Change the value in the resolution field to 300 and click OK.
- You will see the image size stays the same but the resolution has changed to 300 ppi.
- To save the image with 300 dpi go to File>Save As…
To change density but not resolution, uncheck the Resample Image box and change just the (confusingly named) Resolution field, which is set by default to ppi as “pixels/inch.”
Can a JPEG be 300 DPI? ›So, bottom line, a high resolution photo is an image with high quality pixels, saved in either a non-lossy file format or a low compression (high quality) JPEG, that can supply the desired PPI (usually 300) for the intended print size.
How big can you enlarge 300 DPI? ›Get the image printed at its max size at 300 DPI, then scan it. While it might seem counterintuitive, the high resolution of the scanner will allow you to enlarge the image up to four times the size.
What size is 300 DPI print? ›Printing: It also calculates the required image size (pixels) to print this image size (inches or mm) on paper at the dpi resolution. 3000×2400 pixels printed at 300 dpi will print (3000 pixels / 300 dpi)×(2400 pixels / 300 dpi) = 10x8 inches on paper.
What is 300 DPI equivalent to? ›300DPI for example, equals 118.11 PPI. For a good printing 300 DPI is standard, sometimes 150 is acceptable but never lower, you may go higher for some situations.
Does increasing DPI increase quality? ›The higher the DPI, the sharper the image. A higher resolution image provides the printer and printing device more information. You can get more detail and greater resolution from an image with higher DPI.
Can you increase DPI of a PDF? ›The default resolution for images is 300 DPI. You can change the default resolution by opening the "Printers" folder, right clicking on the Win2PDF icon, and opening "Printing Preferences". The resolution (Print Quality) setting us under the "Graphic" section of this window.
How do I know if my PDF is 300 DPI? ›
The tool to check the dpi for individual images is the Output Preview tool located under the Print Production panel. If you don't see the Print Production panel (and you have Acrobat Pro.) you can open it by selecting the View > Tools > Print Production menu.
Can a PDF be 300 DPI? ›The PDF file for full color cover can be created at 300 dpi.
What is the max DPI for printing? ›The maximum DPI of a printer is restricted by the hardware it's using. For instance, while inkjet printers can have a resolution ranging from 300 to 720 DPI, laser printers can go anywhere from 600 to 2,400 DPI.
What is better print quality 300dpi or 600dpi? ›This means that the more dots per inch (dpi), the higher the print resolution. For example, a 300 dpi printer can print 300 dots per inch of page space, whereas a 600 dpi printer can print double that amount, creating a much higher quality print.
Is 1200 DPI better than 300dpi? ›Generally, 300dpi is a high-res print and 1200 dpi is ultra high-res beyond what is often used even for extremely detailed fine art applications.
How can I increase DPI without changing size? ›How do I change the DPI without changing the image size? In Photoshop you go to Image > Image Size, check Resample, and change the resolution. You will then be changing the number of pixels without changing the image size.
How do I change the DPI of an image without Photoshop? ›Another way to make an image 300 DPI is to use GIMP, which is a free alternative to Photoshop. With GIMP, you can open your low-resolution image and change the DPI setting to 300. This will give you a high-quality image that is ready for print.
How do I know if my JPEG is 300 DPI? ›On Windows, find the image in File Explorer, right-click on it and choose Properties from the menu. There, click the Details tab and look for Vertical resolution and Horizontal resolution in the list, which will show you the image's DPI.
How do I know if I have 300 DPI? ›Right-click on the image file and click Properties at the bottom of the menu. In the Properties menu, click the Details tab. Scroll down to the Image section of the menu; you'll see two values that give you your image's DPI: Horizontal Resolution and Vertical Resolution.
How do I increase the resolution of a photo to print? ›- Start with the right size and shape. ...
- Understand DPI and PPI. ...
- Get a 300 DPI file. ...
- Apply some Sharpening. ...
- Download as a PNG + print. ...
- Check the DPI before you print.
Can you change DPI of a photo? ›
You can increase the DPI of an image with Let's Enhance, Photoshop, GIMP, and free online converters. Or you can simply change the DPI in your printing software settings.
How do I find the DPI of an image? ›People regularly discuss digital images in terms of DPI, which stands for Dots Per Inch. The DPI of a digital image is calculated by dividing the total number of dots wide by the total number of inches wide OR by calculating the total number of dots high by the total number of inches high.
What is the Height and width of a 300 DPI image? ›Multiply 8 (inches) by 300 (DPI) and you have 2,400 pixels. That is your width. 10 x 300 = 3000 which is your height. Some people worry about DPI vs PPI.
How do I convert a JPEG to high DPI? ›To change an image's DPI in Photoshop, go to Image > Image Size. Uncheck Resample Image, because this setting will upscale your image, which will make it lower quality. Now, next to Resolution, type in your preferred resolution, set as Pixels/Inch. Notice how the Width and Height figures change, too.
How do I know if a JPEG is 300 DPI? ›- In the Properties window, click the Details tab.
- You may need to scroll down until you find Vertical resolution and Horizontal resolution in the list of properties.
- This will show you the DPI of your image.
- Upload a picture. Choose your file from computer, phone, Google Drive, or Dropbox. ...
- Select DPI. Enter your desired DPI — Dots Per Inch (Today the term is often misused, usually means PPI, which stands for Pixels Per Inch). ...
- Download the result.
300DPI for example, equals 118.11 PPI. For a good printing 300 DPI is standard, sometimes 150 is acceptable but never lower, you may go higher for some situations.
What resolution is 300 DPI? ›At 300 pixels per inch (which roughly translates to 300 DPI, or dots per inch, on a printing press), an image will appear sharp and crisp. These are considered to be high resolution, or high-res, images.
Is 300 DPI good for large prints? ›A 300 DPI image is considered to be a high quality photo for print. More dots = higher quality. PPI stands for pixels per square inch, which are squares of light that fit into an inch on a monitor. A 72 PPI image isn't appropriate for print because it will appear pixelated, like the right side of the image above.