How is PPI calculated?
PPI is calculated in two steps. First, use the Pythagorean theorem to find the diagonal resolution in pixels: diagonal_px = √(width² + height²). Then divide that diagonal pixel count by the physical diagonal size in inches: PPI = diagonal_px ÷ diagonal_inches.
What is dot pitch and how is it related to PPI?
Dot pitch is the physical distance between the centers of adjacent pixels, measured in millimeters. It is the inverse of PPI — a lower dot pitch means a higher PPI and a sharper display. It is calculated as: dot pitch (mm) = (diagonal in inches / diagonal in pixels) × 25.4.
What is PPI² (pixels per square inch)?
PPI² is the number of pixels contained in one square inch of screen area, calculated by squaring the PPI value. It gives you a measure of total pixel density in two dimensions rather than just along a line, which can be useful when comparing display sharpness more rigorously.
What is a good PPI for different types of screens?
For desktop monitors viewed at arm's length, 90–110 PPI is standard, while 150+ PPI is considered high-density. Laptops typically benefit from 150–220 PPI. Smartphones viewed close up generally need 300+ PPI to appear sharp, and 400+ PPI is considered retina-quality for handheld devices.
How do I find my screen's resolution and diagonal size?
Your screen resolution (width × height in pixels) can be found in your operating system's display settings. The diagonal size is the physical measurement from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner and is typically listed in the device specifications or printed on the product box.
Can I enter diagonal size in centimeters instead of inches?
Yes — select 'Centimeters' from the Diagonal Units dropdown and enter your diagonal measurement in cm. The calculator automatically converts the value to inches for the PPI calculation and also returns the pixels per centimeter (PPcm) result.
What is the aspect ratio and how does it relate to screen resolution?
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between a screen's width and height (e.g. 16:9). It is derived from the pixel resolution — a 1920×1080 display has a 16:9 aspect ratio. Aspect ratio affects how content appears on screen but does not directly determine PPI, which also depends on the physical screen size. You might also find our IP Subnet Calculator useful.