How to check the DPI of an image

When working with images on your computer, their DPI resolution may become relevant. DPI stands for Dots Per Inch and represents the number of pixels present in the space of one inch. A higher DPI generally results in better image quality.

Since DPI is not the information an average user encounters in their day-to-day work, you will need to check the image details to get this information. To do this, open the properties of the image file via Windows Explorer. Of course, image editing programs like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP can also provide you with this information.

Windows File Explorer

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

1. To bring up File Explorer, press the Windows + E buttons simultaneously on your keyboard. You can also click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of your taskbar and start typing "File Explorer".
2. Use 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 on the "Details" tab.
5. Scroll down to the "Picture" section of the menu.
6. Here you will see two values ​​that give you the DPI of your image: “Horizontal resolution” and “Vertical resolution”.

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

1. Using File Explorer, navigate to the folder containing your images.
2. Click on the "View" tab in the top menu.
3. Select "Details" as the display layout for this folder.
4. The middle part of the window will now show your image files (as well as any other files) sorted to the left.
5. Notice the columns with miscellaneous details to the right of the filenames and right click on one 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.

You should now see two new columns, showing you the DPI resolution for each image. You can also sort the files by clicking on each of the column names. If you are looking for a specific DPI, hover 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 display the filter menu and select any DPI value your files may have.

Adobe Photoshop

As the ultimate image editing tool for many professionals, Photoshop allows you to check an image's DPI at any time. To check it, follow these few steps.

1. Open the desired image in Photoshop.
2. In the top menu, click on the "Image" tab.
3. Click on “Image Size”. You can also access this menu by pressing Alt+Shift+I on your keyboard.
4. In the "Document size" section, you will see the "Resolution" value. This is your DPI. Just make sure the units in the drop-down menu next to it is "Pixels/Inch".

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

GIMP

With its high price, Photoshop may not be the most accessible tool for the majority of people. That's why many use GIMP, the free, open-source image-editing application. And it also provides you information about the DPI resolution of your image.

1. Open the desired image in GIMP.
2. As in Photoshop, click on the "Image" tab in the top menu.
3. Now click on the “Scale image…” option.
4. Next to the "Resolution X" and "Resolution Y" 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.

Find the DPI of the image

Whether you want to check the DPI of the image or want to change it, there are several ways to do it. While File Explorer on Windows only lets you see the DPI, photo editing apps let you manipulate image size and DPI resolution.

Do you find these tips helpful? How important are DPI values ​​to your work? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.