An image can carry a stored resolution value, but that number is only one part of the answer. A reliable DPI check reports the file's metadata, its real pixel dimensions, and the effective pixels per inch at the intended print size.
Fastest way to check image DPI online
- Open the PixelKaro DPI checker and choose, drop, or paste a JPG, PNG, or WebP file.
- Read the stored horizontal and vertical DPI/PPI and note whether it came from EXIF, JPEG JFIF, or PNG metadata.
- Check the pixel width and height. Pixels determine how much digital detail is actually present.
- Select the print size you need and compare the effective PPI with the target requirement.
Stored DPI and effective PPI are different
A 3000 × 2000 pixel image tagged as 72 DPI still contains 3000 × 2000 pixels. At a 10-inch width it provides 300 effective PPI; at a 20-inch width it provides 150 effective PPI. Editing only the metadata tag changes the suggested physical size, not the pixels or sharpness.
Check DPI on Windows and macOS
Windows
Right-click the image, choose Properties, then open Details. Look for horizontal and vertical resolution as well as pixel dimensions. Some formats or stripped files may not show a resolution value.
macOS
Open the image in Preview, then choose Tools and Show Inspector. The information panel can show image size and resolution when the file contains that metadata.
What “no DPI metadata” means
Screenshots, messaging-app exports, and web images often omit physical-resolution metadata. This is not proof that the image is low quality. Use pixel dimensions and the required print size to calculate effective PPI. If a service asks for a specific pixel size, follow that pixel requirement directly.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every untagged image is 72 DPI.
- Changing 72 to 300 without adding pixels and expecting more detail.
- Checking only one axis when horizontal and vertical metadata differ.
- Using a screenshot of an image instead of the original file.
- Confusing file size in KB with resolution or print sharpness.