What Is My Screen Resolution

DPI / PPI Checker

Estimate screen DPI (pixels per inch) using the browser.

This tool estimates your display DPI/PPI using CSS-inch measurement + devicePixelRatio. Results are approximate — see the notes below.

Estimated Physical DPI (average)
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Device Pixel Ratio: —
Device Pixel Ratio
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CSS pixels per inch
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Physical PPI (X)
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Physical PPI (Y)
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Estimated diagonal (inches)
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Accuracy note
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How it works: the browser can measure the size of a CSS 1in element (in CSS pixels). Multiply that by devicePixelRatio to estimate physical pixels per inch (PPI). This method is approximate — some browsers and OSes report CSS inches differently (zoom, display scaling, OS DPI settings).

What Is DPI / PPI?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) and DPI (Dots Per Inch) both describe pixel density, but in different contexts. PPI refers to the number of pixels in one inch of a digital display, while DPI traditionally refers to the number of printed dots per inch in physical media.

Today, DPI and PPI are often used interchangeably when talking about screen sharpness, resolution quality, and display clarity.

PPI/DPI depends on:

  • Screen resolution — the total number of pixels
  • Display size — the physical diagonal size in inches
  • Device technology — Retina, OLED, LCD, etc.

Why DPI / PPI Matters

Pixel density plays a major role in how sharp your display looks. It affects:

  • Clarity of text and readability
  • Sharpness of graphics and icons
  • Photo and video detail
  • Color accuracy and smooth gradients
  • UI crispness on high-density (Retina) screens

Higher PPI results in a cleaner, more detailed viewing experience with less visible pixelation.

What a DPI / PPI Checker Detects

Our DPI / PPI Checker typically shows:

  • Your device's PPI value
  • Your screen resolution
  • Your display’s diagonal size
  • Pixel density classification (low, standard, high, Retina)
  • Device Pixel Ratio (DPR)

Many modern devices exceed 300+ PPI, especially smartphones and Retina displays.

Why Use a DPI / PPI Checker?

People use DPI/PPI Checkers to:

  • Compare display sharpness across devices
  • Choose the right monitor or laptop
  • Optimize graphics for high-resolution screens
  • Ensure proper print and digital design scaling
  • Diagnose blurry or low-quality display rendering

PPI of popular devices

Pixel density varies enormously between phones, laptops, and monitors. Phones pack the most pixels per inch because you hold them close; large monitors have fewer because you sit farther away. Here’s how common devices compare:

DeviceResolutionSizePixel density
iPhone 15 Pro2556 × 11796.1"~460 PPI
Samsung Galaxy S242340 × 10806.2"~416 PPI
iPad Pro 11"2388 × 166811"~264 PPI
MacBook Pro 14"3024 × 196414.2"~254 PPI
27" 4K monitor3840 × 216027"~163 PPI
27" 1440p monitor2560 × 144027"~109 PPI
24" 1080p monitor1920 × 108024"~92 PPI

How to calculate PPI manually

You can work out pixel density yourself with a simple formula. First find the diagonal resolution in pixels using the Pythagorean theorem, then divide by the screen’s diagonal size in inches:

PPI = √(width² + height²) ÷ diagonal (inches)

Worked example — a 27-inch 2560 × 1440 monitor:

√(2560² + 1440²) = √(6,553,600 + 2,073,600) = √8,627,200 ≈ 2937 px
2937 ÷ 27 ≈ 109 PPI

The tool above does this automatically using your browser’s reported resolution and an estimated diagonal — enter your real physical diagonal for an exact figure.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good PPI or DPI for a screen?

For a desktop monitor viewed at arm’s length, 90–110 PPI is comfortable and 140–160 PPI looks very sharp. Laptops typically target 150–240 PPI, and phones 400+ PPI because they’re held close. Higher isn’t always necessary — it depends on viewing distance.

What PPI counts as “Retina”?

Apple markets a display as “Retina” when the pixels are indistinguishable at a normal viewing distance. In practice that’s roughly 220+ PPI for laptops, 260+ PPI for tablets, and 300+ PPI for phones.

What’s the difference between DPI and PPI?

PPI (pixels per inch) describes screens; DPI (dots per inch) originally described printers. On the web the terms are used interchangeably, but technically your display has a PPI, while a printout has a DPI.

Is higher DPI always better?

Higher density means sharper text and images, but beyond what your eyes can resolve at your viewing distance the benefit disappears — while the GPU has to push far more pixels. For most desktop use, 4K at 27–32" is the practical sweet spot.

How do I change my screen DPI?

You don’t change the panel’s physical PPI, but you can change display scaling: Windows → Settings → System → Display → Scale, or macOS → System Settings → Displays. Scaling makes text and UI larger or smaller without altering the hardware pixel density.