How to Check the DPI of an Image

When working with images on your computer, their DPI resolution might become relevant. DPI stands for Dots Per Inch, and it represents how many pixels are within one inch. Higher DPI usually translates to better image quality.

Since DPI is not the information an average user encounters in everyday work, you’ll have to check the image details to get this info. To do this, open the image file’s properties via Windows Explorer. Of course, image editing programs like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP can give you this info, too.

Check an Image’s DPI using Windows File Explorer

The easiest way to check the DPI resolution of an image is to use Windows File Explorer.

1. To bring up the File Explorer, press Windows + E buttons on your keyboard at the same time. You can also click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your taskbar and start typing “File Explorer.”
   
2. Use the File Explorer to navigate to the location of the image you want to check.
   
3. Right-click on the image file and click Properties at the bottom of the menu.
   
4. In the Properties menu, click the Details tab.
   
5. Scroll down to the Image section of the menu; you’ll see two values that give you your image’s DPI: Horizontal Resolution and Vertical Resolution.
   

If you often work with images on your computer, and DPI info is relevant to you, you can customize the layout of File Explorer so that it always displays this info as well.

1. Using File Explorer, navigate to the folder containing your images.
   
2. Click the View tab on the top menu.
   
3. Select Details as a view layout for this folder.
   
4. The central portion of the window will now show your image files (and any other files as well) sorted to the left.
   
5. Notice the columns containing various details to the right of the file names, and right-click on any of the column names.
   
6. Click More… at the bottom of the menu.
   
7. The Choose Details menu will appear.
   
8. Here, scroll down to the Horizontal Resolution and Vertical Resolution options and check their respective boxes.
   
9. Click OK to close the menu.
   
10. Now you should see two new columns showing you the DPI resolution for each image. You can also sort files by clicking each of the column names. If you’re looking for a specific DPI, hover with your mouse cursor over the column header until you see the arrow to the right of the column name, pointing down. Click the arrow to reveal the filter menu and select any DPI value your files may have.

How to Check an Image’s DPI on a Mac

If you’re a Mac user and need to see the image’s DPI details, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the image in a Preview.
   
2. Click Tools in the menu at the top.
   
3. Click Show Inspector.
   
4. View the image’s DPI in the small pop-up window.
   

Check the DPI of an Image with Adobe Photoshop

As the ultimate image editing tool for many professionals, Photoshop allows you to check the DPI of an image at any moment. To check this, follow these few steps.

1. Open the image you want in Photoshop.
   
2. On the top menu, click the Image tab.
   
3. Click Image Size; you can also access this menu by pressing Alt + Shift + I on your keyboard.
   
4. In the Document Size section, you’ll see the Resolution value. That’s your DPI; just make sure the units in the drop-down menu next to it are Pixels/Inch.
   

Even though Photoshop doesn’t explicitly label this value as DPI, but rather PPI (pixels per inch), it practically gives you almost the same information.

Check the DPI of an Image Using GIMP

With its steep pricing, Photoshop may not be the most accessible tool out there for the majority of people. That’s why many use GIMP, the free-to-use, open-source image editing app. And it provides you with information on your image’s DPI resolution as well.

1. Open the image you want in GIMP.
2. Same as in Photoshop, click the Image tab from the top menu.
   
3. Now click the Scale Image… option.
   
4. Next to the X resolution and Y resolution values, choose the pixels/in option from the drop-down menu.
   
5. The resolution values will now show you the DPI of the image.

The same logic applies here as in Photoshop – pixels per inch represent the DPI of your image.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to more questions we’ve been asked about viewing an image’s DPI.

Can I change the DPI of an image?

Yes. But you may need a third-party service to do it. Mac users can open the image in Preview and select Tools>Adjust size.

However, PC users need to use something like Adobe Photoshop or another service you find online.

What’s the best DPI for printing?

Generally speaking, 300 DPI is best for printing. However, if you’re using glossier paper, it may be best to go a little higher, up to 600 DPI.

Finding an Image’s DPI

Whether you want to check the image DPI or you want to change it, there are multiple ways to do that. While File Explorer in Windows allows you only to see the DPI, photo editing apps allow you to manipulate image size and DPI resolution.

Do you find these tips useful? How important are DPI values for your work? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.