The major difference between PPI and DPI is the contexts in which they are used. PPI is used to refer to digital imagery and TV screens. DPI, on the other hand, is used to refer to printed images!

Trying to make sense of the modern television industry can sometimes feel like deciphering high-level code! There are so many unique technologies, terms, and abbreviations to understand. Some of these terms and abbreviations also sound incredibly similar. After all, many people often find themselves confused as to the difference between OLED and QLED TVs!

When looking for a new TV, many tech-savvy sources might suggest you consider the display’s “PPI”. But unless you’re a whizz with display technology, you might wonder just what PPI even is! You might also wonder what separates PPI from the similarly named “DPI”.

If you often find yourself getting dizzy just looking at a TV’s technical specs, then allow the Reliant tech experts to help! We’ve put together this guide to take you through all you need to know about PPI and DPI, so you can spare yourself the embarrassment of confusing the two!

What Is PPI?

PPI is an abbreviation for “Pixels Per Inch”, and it refers to the number of individual pixels that are packed into every inch of a TV’s display. Of course, the more pixels there are packed into a single inch, the clearer a TV display will look!

PPI, or “Pixels Per Inch” refers to the number of individual pixels that are packed into a single inch of an image. PPI is closely tied to TV resolution! If you want a clear image, look for good PPI!

Of course, because PPI is a term used to refer to the pixel density of an image, many people often find themselves confusing it with resolution. Are the two actually the same?

Is PPI The Same As Resolution?

For the most part, yes. PPI and resolution can be used interchangeably. The more pixels there are in a single image, the higher the resolution of the image will be! However, PPI is most often used to refer to the resolution of an image. It is much less likely to be used to refer to the resolution of a TV.

What Is DPI?

Because they are so similarly named, DPI and PPI are very often confused with one another. DPI is an abbreviation of “Dots Per Inch”, and, as the name suggests, is a description of the number of dots contained in an image.

However, the major difference between the two is what they are used to refer to. DPI, unlike PPI, is used specifically to refer to a printed image! The more dots that are contained in a single inch of a printed image, the clearer the image looks!

Why Should You Consider PPI In Your TV?

If you’re keen to watch films and shows at 4K or 8K resolutions, and you want the image to look as crystal clear as possible, then it’s worth considering the PPI of your TV. The greater the PPI, the more pixels are packed into the screen. This means you won’t find the resolution or the clarity dipping as you move closer to the screen!

If you are planning to grab a 4K TV, make sure it has a PPI of around 140. This ensures there’s enough pixel density to allow large 4K images to really shine, without running the risk of appearing blurry.

It’s important to consider the PPI of your TV display. The higher the PPI, the better equipped the TV will be for displaying high-quality 4K images. If you want to stream in 4K, then a high PPI is essential!

Of course, as PPI increases, so too will the price of your TV. So, it’s worth considering your budget, as well as what you want from your TV itself. This is because PPI will often increase with the overall size of the TV’s screen. The greater the size of the screen, the more pixels will need to be packed into each inch, to keep images from appearing stretched out.

Why Should You Consider The DPI Of An Image?

If you work in the print industry, or you simply plan to print out photos or artwork, then you need to consider DPI. The higher the DPI of your image, the bigger it will be when printed. If you want to print out a piece of digital artwork at a large size, then you’ll need to carefully consider the DPI.

It’s also important to consider PPI when attempting to print an image. If your image has a low PPI, then it will look incredibly stretched if printed at a high DPI. In order to ensure clarity when printing, you should make sure that the PPI of your chosen image is as close to the DPI as possible!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between PPI And DPI?

The key difference between PPI and DPI is context. PPI is used to refer to digital imagery. PPI itself refers to “Pixels Per Inch”. The more pixels there are per inch within an image or TV screen, the clearer the image will look. DPI instead is used to refer to printed imagery. DPI stands for “Dots Per Inch”. The more dots there are in a single inch, the clearer the image will look!

Is 300 PPI The Same As 300 DPI?

No. The PPI of an image refers to how many pixels are packed into each inch in its digital form. If you were to print the image, then DPI would be used to refer to the number of dots packed into each inch of the printed image. However, it is a good idea to match up an image’s PPI to its DPI when printing. This ensures the image doesn’t look stretched or blurred when printed!