Calculate Display Metrics
What is PPI and Resolution?
Resolution refers to the total number of pixels displayed on a screen, expressed as Width × Height (e.g., 1920 × 1080). PPI (Pixels Per Inch), also known as pixel density, measures how many pixels are packed into one linear inch of a display. Higher PPI means sharper, more detailed images, which is crucial for graphic design, photo editing, and comfortable reading.
Calculation Formulas
PPI = Diagonal Pixels / Diagonal Size (inches)
Total Pixels = Width × Height
Width / Height = Screen dimensions in pixels
Diagonal Size = Physical screen size in inches
Common Resolutions
| Name | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD (720p) | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 | Entry-level monitors, older TVs |
| Full HD (1080p) | 1920 × 1080 | 16:9 | Standard monitors, laptops, TVs |
| QHD (1440p) | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 | Gaming monitors, premium phones |
| 4K UHD (2160p) | 3840 × 2160 | 16:9 | Professional displays, modern TVs |
| Mobile HD+ | 1080 × 2400 | 20:9 | Modern smartphones |
For graphic design and photo editing, a PPI of 100-150 is considered the minimum for comfortable work, while 200+ PPI (Retina/HiDPI displays) provides exceptional sharpness where individual pixels are indistinguishable to the human eye at normal viewing distances.
PPI vs DPI
While often used interchangeably, PPI refers to the pixel density of a digital display (monitors, phones), whereas DPI (Dots Per Inch) refers to the printing resolution of a physical printer. When preparing digital assets, always focus on PPI.
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