4 Simple Ways to Find the DPI of an Image on a Computer

PDF download Download Article
A user-friendly guide to finding the DPI of a picture or photo on a computer
PDF download Download Article

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch, and it's important if you're looking to print an image. You'll need to make sure the DPI is high enough for the printed product comes out as clear as possible. Luckily, this can be checked in a few simple steps. This wikiHow will show you how to check the DPI resolution of an image using your Windows or Mac computer.

Things You Should Know

  • On Windows, right-click the image and click "Properties." Click the "Details" tab and find the DPI underneath the "Image" header.
  • Alternatively, open the image in Microsoft Paint. Click "File" and then "Properties." Find "Resolution."
  • On Mac, open the image in "Preview." Click "Tools" and then "Show Inspector." Find the "Image DPI."
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Properties Menu (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the image is in your Pictures folder , use the File Explorer to navigate there now.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will be at the very bottom of the pop-up menu.
    • A new window will open.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the tab at the top, between Security and Previous Versions .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Scroll down to the Image header. You'll find the DPI next to Horizontal resolution and Vertical resolution .
    • If you need to change the DPI, you'll need to use a program such as Adobe Photoshop to convert and/or resize it.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using the File Explorer (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the Start menu and click the folder icon, or press the Windows key + E .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the tab at the top, next to Share .
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If this isn't already selected, the files will be shown in list format.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In most cases, you'll already have the column headers: Name, Date, and Type. [1]
    • A pop-up window will open.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll need to scroll down to find these options. Check the box next to both options and then click OK to add them as column headers in the File Explorer.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You should see the DPI immediately underneath the "Horizontal resolution" and "Vertical resolution" headers.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Microsoft Paint (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A pop-up menu will open.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can be found in your list of applications. If you don't have this program, you can easily download it from the Microsoft Store .
    • The image will open in Microsoft Paint.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will be at the top-left corner.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this towards the bottom of the menu, next to the checkmark icon.
    • A new window will open.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see the image's DPI next to Resolution .
    6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Preview (Mac)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-16.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Navigate to the image and right-click it . You can use the Finder to locate the file.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-17.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This program comes pre-built into Mac devices.
    • The image will open in Preview.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the tab at the top.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-19.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A new panel will open.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-20.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Dpi-of-Image-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":541,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find the DPI next to Image DPI .
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Fake ID
      Use Your Keyboard to Type Symbols: Alt Key + More
      How to
      Type a Less Than or Equal to Sign: PC & Mac
      How to
      Open and View DWG Files (on Windows, Mac, & More)
      The Ultimate Guide: How to Show Symbols, Accents & Emojis on a Mac
      2 Easy Ways to Type a Symbol on a Laptop Keyboard
      How to
      Text a Heart <3 Using Symbols Instead of Emoji
      Simple Ways to Find the Hex Code of Any Color on Your Computer
      How to
      Create Subscript in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, & TextEdit
      How to
      Make a Cat Using Your Keyboard
      How to
      Effectively Resize Images to a Specific Size in KB
      How to
      Delete a Background in Paint 3D (Windows 10 & 11)
      How to
      Hide Icon Names on a Desktop (Windows and MacOS)
      How to
      Add Words to Images on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-change-column-settings-in-windows-explorer-7a6e06e5-85fe-62d5-c9a3-eed515e52aee

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 103,882 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement