Meaning & use
DPI
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Meanings
abbreviationtechnical
Dots per inch: a measure of how many ink dots a printer or image can place in one inch.
Grammar: Used after a number, like a unit: '600 DPI'. It does not take a plural -s.
Patterns
- number + DPI
- print at number DPI
- a resolution of number DPI
This printer can print at 1200 DPI, so photographs look very sharp.
For a professional poster, save the image at 300 DPI or higher.
The old scanner only supports 200 DPI, which is fine for text but not for photos.
abbreviationcomputingtechnical
A measure of the sensitivity of a computer mouse, showing how far the cursor moves when you move the mouse.
Grammar: Also used after a number: 'a 1600 DPI mouse'.
Patterns
- a number DPI mouse
- set the mouse to number DPI
Gamers often prefer a mouse with 1600 DPI for faster movement.
You can lower the DPI in the settings if the cursor feels too fast.
Common combinations
- 300 DPI
- Most magazines ask for images at 300 DPI.
- high DPI
- High DPI printing makes small text much clearer.
- print resolution in DPI
- The manual lists the print resolution in DPI.
- a DPI setting
- Check the DPI setting before you send the file to the printer.
Synonyms and how they differ
- resolution
- A general word for image sharpness; DPI is one specific way to measure it.
- PPI
- Pixels per inch; used for screens and digital images, while DPI is about printed dots.
Commonly confused: DPI or PPI?
DPI vs PPI
PPI measures pixels on a screen; DPI measures printed dots. People often mix them up, but for printing DPI is the usual term.
Practice
The photographer asked for the image to be saved at ___ so it would print clearly.
Choose one answer.
DPI follows the number like a unit, so '300 DPI' is correct. It does not take an apostrophe or 'of', and the number comes before the abbreviation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “DPI”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.