PDF DPI Checker

Check the DPI (Dots Per Inch) of images embedded in your PDF

Upload your PDF

Drop your PDF file below to analyze image DPI

Drop your PDF here or click to browse

Only PDF files are accepted

How does this DPI tool work?

Important note: PDFs themselves do not have a DPI - PDF files are typically a mix of raster and vector graphics. Text and vector graphics can scale to any size without their quality degrading, while raster images embedded in PDFs do have a DPI and can experience quality loss if they are scaled up.

  • The DocuPotion PDF DPI Checker analyzes PDF files and extracts information on the DPI (Dots Per Inch) of images embedded within the PDF
  • Simply drop your PDF in the dropzone above and you'll be provided with detailed information on the DPI of all embedded images
  • You'll also receive information on the image dimensions, display size (points), and display size (inches) of each of the images in your PDF

DPI Quality Rankings

Quality LevelDPI RangeDescription
Low QualityLess than 150 DPISuitable for web use only. May appear pixelated in print.
Medium Quality150 - 299 DPIAcceptable for most print applications. Good balance of quality and file size.
High Quality300+ DPIProfessional print quality. Ideal for high-quality publications and detailed images.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does DPI stand for?

DPI stands for 'Dots Per Inch'. It's a measurement of the resolution or detail in an image or printed output. Specifically, it's a measure of how many individual dots of color or ink fit into one inch of space. A higher DPI means more dots per inch, resulting in a sharper, more detailed image, while a lower DPI can make images appear blurry, pixelated, or low quality, especially when printed.

Do PDFs have a DPI?

No, this is actually a common misconception. PDFs themselves do not have a DPI. They merely act as containers for the elements they contain.

However, raster images within PDFs do have a DPI. This is what our PDF DPI Checker tool does. It extracts all the images from your PDF and analyzes the DPI of each of them (in addition to providing some other information like image dimensions).

Does the DPI of images in a PDF impact its overall quality?

Yes. Higher DPI images will look sharper/more detailed in PDFs, while lower DPI images may look fuzzy. The trade-off is that higher DPI images typically have a larger file size, which increases the overall size of the PDF.

It's worth considering what context you're using the PDF in when deciding on whether a certain DPI is needed for images in the PDF. If you're printing the PDF, you will likely want to ensure that all the images have a relatively high DPI (we recommend 300+). However, if you're simply displaying the PDF in a web browser, lower DPI images may be acceptable.

What's the minimum DPI I need for images in my PDF if I'm printing it out?

While there's no 'right' answer to this, we do recommend a DPI of at least 300 for images in PDFs you plan on printing out.

Is the DocuPotion PDF DPI Checker tool free?

Yes, it is free to use and you can check the DPI of images embedded in as many PDFs as you want.

Can I change the DPI of images embedded within PDFs?

Not directly. You'll need to remove the low DPI images from your original PDF and then re-add higher DPI versions of them.

Want to automate your PDF production?

Start creating professional PDFs in your app with our free trial.

Start Free Trial