Free Image DPI Checker

Check any image’s DPI and, more importantly, the real size you can print it at. It runs entirely in your browser, so your image is never uploaded. Built for clipart, print-on-demand and Etsy sellers.

What DPI actually means for print

DPI (dots per inch) only means something at a given print size. The same image is 300 DPI at a small size and much lower blown up big, the pixels have not changed, only the inches have. So the number to watch is your pixel dimensions relative to how large you want to print.

Need it bigger than the checker says?

If your image cannot reach your print size at 300 DPI, it needs upscaling. Clipart Prep Studio upscales clipart to a real 300 DPI print size, and preps a whole batch at once. Create a free account and your first 5 images are on us.

Common questions

How do I check the DPI of an image?

Drop it into the checker above. It reads the DPI tag from the file and, more usefully, shows the real print size your pixels give you at 300 DPI. It runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.

What DPI do I need for printing?

300 DPI is the print standard for most products (clipart, cards, stickers, print-on-demand). Large-format items viewed from a distance, like banners, can be fine at 150 DPI.

My file says 72 DPI, is it bad for print?

Not necessarily. The DPI tag is just a label. What matters is the pixel count at your print size. A 3600px image is 300 DPI at 12 inches whether the tag says 72 or 300. The checker shows you the real print size.

Why does my image look fine on screen but blurry when printed?

Screens show far fewer dots per inch than print, so a small image looks sharp on a monitor and soft on paper. If your print size needs more pixels than you have, the image has to be upscaled.