Upload Image to Analyze & Change DPI
JPG · PNG · WebP · BMP | Max 50 MB | Your file never leaves your browser
Use this calculator to convert between pixel dimensions and physical measurements (inches, centimetres, millimetres) at any DPI. Essential for understanding how your image will print.
📐 Pixels → Physical Size
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🔢 Physical Size → Pixels
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96
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⚡ Quick Reference – Common Photo Sizes at 300 DPI
| Photo Size | mm (W×H) | Pixels at 72 DPI | Pixels at 96 DPI | Pixels at 300 DPI | Pixels at 600 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (India/EU) | 35×45 | 99×128 | 132×170 | 413×531 | 827×1063 |
| US Passport 2×2″ | 51×51 | 144×144 | 193×193 | 600×600 | 1200×1200 |
| Canada Passport | 50×70 | 142×198 | 189×264 | 591×827 | 1181×1654 |
| Wallet Photo | 57×89 | 162×252 | 215×336 | 673×1051 | 1346×2102 |
| 4×6 inch Print | 102×152 | 288×432 | 384×576 | 1200×1800 | 2400×3600 |
| 5×7 inch Print | 127×178 | 360×504 | 480×672 | 1500×2100 | 3000×4200 |
| A4 Paper | 210×297 | 595×842 | 794×1123 | 2480×3508 | 4960×7016 |
| A3 Paper | 297×420 | 842×1191 | 1123×1588 | 3508×4961 | 7016×9921 |
DPI requirements vary by use case, device, and governing authority. Use this comprehensive reference table to quickly find the correct DPI for your specific need — from government exam photo portals to professional print media.
| Use Case / Exam | Required DPI | Pixels (W×H) | Physical Size | File Format | DPI Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS PO / Clerk / SO / RRB | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~25×29 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| SBI PO / Clerk | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~25×29 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| UPSC Civil Services | 200–300 DPI | 340×410 | ~29×35 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| SSC CGL / CHSL / GD | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~17×19 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| RRB NTPC / Group D / ALP | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~17×19 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| NTA – NEET / JEE Main | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~17×19 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| India Passport (PSP Portal) | 300 DPI | 413×531 | 35×45 mm | JPEG | High Quality |
| US Passport (State Dept.) | 300 DPI | 600×600 | 2×2 inch | JPEG | High Quality |
| UK Passport | 300 DPI | 413×531 | 35×45 mm | JPEG | High Quality |
| Schengen Visa (EU) | 300 DPI | 413×531 | 35×45 mm | JPEG | High Quality |
| Canada Passport | 300 DPI | 591×827 | 50×70 mm | JPEG | High Quality |
| Web / Social Media Images | 72–96 DPI | Any | Varies | JPEG / PNG | Screen Only |
| Social Media Profile Photo | 72–96 DPI | 400×400 min | Screen only | JPEG / PNG | Screen Only |
| Home Printer (standard) | 150–200 DPI | Varies | Varies | JPEG / PNG | Draft Print |
| Professional Photo Lab | 300 DPI | 1200×1800 (4×6″) | 4×6 inch | JPEG | High Quality |
| Magazine / Editorial Print | 300 DPI | Varies | Varies | JPEG / TIFF | High Quality |
| Newspaper Print | 85–150 DPI | Varies | Varies | JPEG / TIFF | Draft Print |
| Large Format Poster / Banner | 72–150 DPI | Varies | Varies | JPEG / TIFF | Draft Print |
| Fine Art / Giclée Print | 360–600 DPI | Varies | Varies | TIFF / PNG | Ultra HD |
| Medical / Diagnostic Imaging | 300–600 DPI | Varies | Varies | DICOM / TIFF | High Quality |
| Photoshop / Design Work | 300 DPI | Varies | Varies | PSD / PNG | High Quality |
| eBook / Digital PDF | 72–96 DPI | Varies | Screen | JPEG / PNG | Screen Only |
| Retina / High-DPI Screen | 144–227 PPI | 2× standard | Screen only | PNG / WebP | Screen HQ |
| Police / Defence / Paramilitary | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~17×19 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
| State PSC Exams | 200–300 DPI | 200×230 | ~17×19 mm | JPEG | Print Ready |
DPI Converter – The Complete Guide to Image DPI, Resolution & Print Quality (2026)
Our DPI Converter is a free, professional-grade, browser-based tool that lets you analyze an image's current DPI, change the DPI metadata from any value to any other (commonly 72 DPI to 300 DPI), and calculate exact pixel dimensions from physical measurements — all in seconds, with zero server uploads and no software installation required.
Whether you're preparing a photo for a government exam portal (UPSC, IBPS, SSC, RRB, NTA), submitting a passport application, sending artwork to a professional printer, or troubleshooting why your print looks blurry — this tool gives you full, professional control over image DPI and resolution.
DPI Analyzer
Upload any image and instantly see its embedded DPI, pixel dimensions, file size, and print size at current DPI.
DPI Changer
Change DPI metadata (72→300, 96→300, etc.) with one click. Option to resample pixels for true resolution change.
Pixels ↔ Dimensions
Convert pixels to inches, cm, mm — and back — at any DPI. Essential for print and exam photo planning.
Reference Table
25+ DPI requirements for exams, passports, printing, web, medical, and professional use — all searchable.
JPEG Quality Slider
Control output JPEG quality (60–100%) to balance file size and image sharpness precisely.
100% Private
All processing runs in your browser via Canvas API. Your images are never uploaded or stored anywhere.
What is DPI? – A Complete Explanation
DPI (Dots Per Inch) is a measure of print resolution — specifically, the number of individual ink dots a printer places within one inch of printed output. The higher the DPI, the more densely the dots are packed, resulting in finer detail, sharper text, and smoother gradients in the printed image.
DPI was originally a purely physical concept tied to printer hardware capabilities. Modern inkjet printers can output at 1,200–9,600 DPI. However, when we talk about "the DPI of an image file," we mean the DPI metadata embedded in the file — a tag that tells software how densely to map the image's pixels to physical space when printing. This metadata DPI does not change the actual pixels in the file; it only changes how printers and software interpret the physical size of those pixels.
Physical Size (inches) = Pixels ÷ DPI
Pixels = Physical Size (inches) × DPI
Physical Size (cm) = (Pixels ÷ DPI) × 2.54
Physical Size (mm) = (Pixels ÷ DPI) × 25.4
Pixels = Physical Size (inches) × DPI
Physical Size (cm) = (Pixels ÷ DPI) × 2.54
Physical Size (mm) = (Pixels ÷ DPI) × 25.4
DPI vs PPI – Understanding the Difference
These two terms are often confused and used interchangeably, but they refer to different things:
🖨️ DPI – Dots Per Inch (Print)
- Refers to physical printer output — the number of ink droplets per inch on paper or other media
- Relevant when you ask: "How sharp will this print?"
- A printer at 1,200 DPI places 1,200 tiny ink dots in each inch of printed output
- Higher DPI = smoother gradients, finer detail, better photo quality in print
- Standard for professional photo printing: 300 DPI
- Standard for large format/banner printing: 72–150 DPI (viewed from distance)
🖥️ PPI – Pixels Per Inch (Screen)
- Refers to screen/monitor resolution — the number of pixels displayed per inch of screen area
- Relevant when you ask: "How sharp will this look on screen?"
- A Retina MacBook display has ~227 PPI — meaning 227 pixels are crammed into each inch of screen
- Higher PPI = sharper text and images on the display
- Standard HD monitor: 96 PPI
- iPhone 15 Pro display: 460 PPI
ℹ️ In Practice: When government exam portals, passport offices, and photo labs say "300 DPI", they technically mean 300 PPI — the number of pixels per inch in the digital file. The terms are used interchangeably in everyday image editing. Our tool uses "DPI" throughout to match the language used by exam portals and official photo requirements.
The 3 DPI Scenarios – Which One Applies to You?
Scenario 1: Metadata Only Change
Your image has the right pixel count but wrong DPI tag. Example: 600×600px image tagged as 96 DPI — you just need to re-tag it as 300 DPI. Pixel count stays the same, no quality loss, file size stays same. Use "Metadata only" mode.
Scenario 2: True Resolution Increase (Upsampling)
Your image is low-resolution and needs more pixels for printing at a larger size. Example: you have a 300×300px image and need to print it at 4×4 inches at 300 DPI (needs 1200×1200px). Use "Resample" mode — the tool adds pixels using interpolation.
Scenario 3: Downsampling for Web/Upload
Your image is high-resolution (300 DPI) and you need a web version at 72 or 96 DPI with smaller file size. Use "Resample" mode with lower target DPI — the tool reduces pixel count, resulting in a smaller, faster-loading file.
DPI Requirements for Indian Government Exam Photo Portals (2026)
Indian government exam portals enforce strict photo specifications to ensure consistent biometric processing. Understanding DPI in this context is critical — submitting a photo with incorrect DPI can result in form rejection, upload errors, or document verification failure at the exam centre.
| Exam Board / Portal | Photo Size (px) | Effective DPI | Max File Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS (ibps.in) – PO, Clerk, SO, RRB | 200×230 | ~200 DPI | 100 KB | JPEG |
| SBI (sbi.co.in) – PO, Clerk, SO | 200×230 | ~200 DPI | 50–100 KB | JPEG |
| UPSC (upsconline.nic.in) – Civil Services | 340×410 | ~295 DPI | 300 KB | JPEG |
| SSC (ssc.nic.in) – CGL, CHSL, GD | 200×230 | ~200 DPI | 100 KB | JPEG |
| NTA (nta.ac.in) – NEET, JEE Main | 200×230 | ~200 DPI | 100 KB | JPEG |
| Railway (rrbcdg.gov.in) – NTPC, Group D | 200×230 | ~200 DPI | 100 KB | JPEG |
| India Passport (passportindia.gov.in) | 413×531 | 300 DPI | 1 MB | JPEG |
| State PSC Portals (varies by state) | 200–350×230–420 | 200–300 DPI | 50–200 KB | JPEG |
✅ Exam Photo DPI Tip: Most Indian exam portals specify pixel dimensions and file size limits — not DPI directly. Our tool's Pixels ↔ Dimensions calculator instantly tells you what DPI your 200×230px photo is printing at for any physical size, helping you verify compliance before uploading.
Why Your Image Looks Blurry When Printed – DPI Explained
The most common cause of blurry prints is a mismatch between pixel count and physical print size. Here is a practical example:
You have a 600×600 pixel image taken from a website (96 DPI). You want to print it at 4×4 inches on photo paper. At 300 DPI, a 4×4 inch print needs 1200×1200 pixels. Your 600×600px image is only 1/4 the required pixel count. The printer stretches those 600 pixels across 4 inches — resulting in only 150 dots per inch, which looks visibly soft and pixelated.
The solution: Either find a higher-resolution source image, or use our tool's "Resample" mode to upscale the image to 1200×1200px (understanding that upsampling adds pixels via interpolation and cannot recover original detail that was never captured).
DPI for Passport & Visa Photos – Country-by-Country Guide
🇮🇳 India – Passport Seva Portal
- Required size: 35×45 mm = 413×531 pixels at 300 DPI
- File must be JPEG format, 10 KB – 1 MB
- Plain white background, no shadows
- Our Passport Photo Maker auto-outputs 413×531px at 300 DPI
🇺🇸 United States – State Department
- Required size: 2×2 inch = 600×600 pixels at 300 DPI
- Must be colour, JPEG, minimum 600×600px
- Head between 1″ and 1⅜″ from chin to crown
- Plain white or off-white background only
🇬🇧 United Kingdom – HM Passport Office
- Required size: 35×45 mm = 413×531px at 300 DPI
- Digital submissions: minimum 500×650px recommended
- Light grey or cream background accepted
🇪🇺 Schengen / EU Visa
- Required size: 35×45 mm = 413×531px at 300 DPI
- Consistent across all 27 Schengen-area countries
- ICAO biometric standards apply
- Plain white or very light grey background
🇨🇦 Canada – IRCC
- Required size: 50×70 mm = 591×827px at 300 DPI
- Larger format than most countries
- Head between 31–36 mm from chin to crown
- Plain white background, matte finish preferred
🇦🇺 Australia – Department of Home Affairs
- Required size: 35×45 mm = 413×531px at 300 DPI
- Must be taken within the last 6 months
- Plain white or light grey background
- No glasses, no head coverings (except religious)
How to Use This DPI Converter – Step-by-Step
- Tab 1 – DPI Analyzer & Changer: Upload your image. The tool instantly reads the embedded DPI metadata from the JPEG/PNG EXIF data and displays your current DPI, pixel dimensions, file size, and the physical print size at that DPI. A quality badge (Excellent / Good / Low) tells you at a glance if your image meets print standards.
- Set Your Target DPI: Type a value or click a preset — 72 (web), 96 (screen), 150 (draft print), 300 (professional print standard), 350 (high-quality), or 600 (press/fine art). The preview updates instantly to show how the output will differ from the original.
- Choose Resampling Mode: "Metadata only" simply re-writes the DPI tag without touching pixels — fastest, zero quality loss. "Resample image" physically scales the pixel grid to match the target DPI at the original physical size — useful for genuinely increasing resolution.
- Select Output Format: Choose JPEG (smaller file, ideal for photos and exam uploads) or PNG (lossless, best for graphics and when pixel-perfect accuracy matters). Adjust the JPEG quality slider if needed.
- Convert & Download: Click the download button. Your file is processed entirely in the browser and downloaded instantly with the new DPI embedded in the file's metadata — ready for printing or portal upload.
- Tab 2 – Calculator: Use the Pixels↔Dimensions calculator standalone — no image upload needed. Enter pixels and DPI to get inches/cm/mm, or enter physical size and DPI to get the required pixel count. Perfect for planning before shooting or ordering prints.
- Tab 3 – Reference Table: Search 25+ DPI requirements by exam name, portal, or use case. Find the exact DPI, pixel dimensions, file format, and size limits for IBPS, UPSC, SSC, NTA, passport portals, and professional printing scenarios instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions – DPI Converter
What is DPI and why does it matter for images?
DPI (Dots Per Inch) measures how many ink dots a printer places per inch of paper. Higher DPI means finer detail in print. For professional printing, passport photos, and exam portal uploads, 300 DPI is the standard. For web images displayed only on screen, 72–96 DPI is sufficient. The DPI tag in an image file tells software how densely to map pixels to physical space when printing — it does not affect how the image looks on screen.
Does changing DPI reduce image quality?
Changing only the DPI metadata (using "Metadata only" mode) does not reduce image quality at all — it only updates a tag in the file without touching any pixels. The pixel count, color data, and visual quality remain identical. However, if you use "Resample" mode to increase DPI while maintaining a fixed physical size (true upsampling), the tool must add new pixels via interpolation — which cannot recover detail that wasn't in the original image, and may introduce slight softness.
How do I convert my image from 72 DPI to 300 DPI?
Upload your image using the DPI Analyzer & Changer tab. The tool shows your current DPI (likely 72). Click the "300 – Print ★" preset chip or type 300 in the Target DPI field. Select "Metadata only" if you just want to re-tag the file, or "Resample image" if you want the pixel count to increase proportionally. Click "Convert & Download". Your new file will have 300 DPI embedded — ready for any print or upload portal that requires 300 DPI.
What DPI should I use for IBPS, SSC, UPSC exam photos?
Indian exam portals like IBPS, SSC, UPSC, and NTA specify pixel dimensions and file size — typically 200×230 pixels at under 100 KB. At this pixel count, the effective DPI is around 200–300 DPI for passport-size prints. Our DPI Reference Table (Tab 3) lists the exact requirements for every major exam portal. Our Pixels↔Dimensions calculator (Tab 2) helps you verify what DPI your specific pixel count corresponds to for any physical size.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
DPI (Dots Per Inch) technically refers to physical printer output — actual ink dots on paper. PPI (Pixels Per Inch) refers to screen pixel density — pixels per inch of monitor display. In practice, image editing software and exam portals use "DPI" to mean the same thing as PPI in digital files. When a portal says "submit at 300 DPI," it means 300 pixels per inch — purely a digital measurement. Our tool uses "DPI" throughout to match official portal language.
How many pixels do I need for a 4×6 inch print at 300 DPI?
Formula: Pixels = Physical Size × DPI. For a 4×6 inch print at 300 DPI: Width = 4 × 300 = 1,200 pixels, Height = 6 × 300 = 1,800 pixels. So you need a minimum 1200×1800 pixel image. Use our Pixels ↔ Dimensions calculator (Tab 2) to instantly compute this for any size and DPI combination.
Is my image safe? Is it uploaded to a server?
Your image is completely private and never uploaded anywhere. All analysis and DPI conversion happens 100% in your browser using JavaScript and the HTML5 Canvas API. We have zero access to your images — they never leave your device. This makes our tool safe even for sensitive documents like passport photos, government IDs, and medical scans.
Can I change DPI on my mobile phone?
Yes! Our DPI Converter works perfectly on Android Chrome and iPhone Safari. Upload a photo from your gallery, select your target DPI, and download the converted file — all on your smartphone without any app installation. Tap "Select Image" and choose from Camera or Gallery.
Why does my image show 72 DPI even though it looks sharp?
72 DPI embedded in an image file simply means the DPI metadata tag is set to 72 — it says nothing about the actual pixel count or visual sharpness. A 4000×3000 pixel image tagged at 72 DPI is still a high-resolution image with millions of pixels. The 72 DPI tag just means that if you print it without resampling, software will map it to a 55×42 inch print area (4000÷72 = 55.5 inches). For a 4×6 inch print from this same image, the software would resample it to 1200×1800 pixels — perfectly sharp. Use our tool to re-tag it as 300 DPI so printers correctly understand your intended physical print size.