How to Change DPI in Photoshop for Print and Screen

What DPI means and why it matters in Photoshop

DPI (dots per inch) controls how many pixels Photoshop will print in each physical inch of your image. When you change DPI, you are not changing the pixel count — you are telling the printer how to space those pixels across paper. A 1000-pixel-wide image at 72 DPI prints about 14 inches wide. The same image at 300 DPI prints about 3 inches wide, because the pixels are packed tighter.

Most screens display at 72 DPI or 96 DPI, so web images and social media graphics use those numbers. Print jobs — books, posters, business cards — need 300 DPI to look sharp. If you send a 72 DPI image to a printer expecting 300 DPI, the printer will enlarge it to fit, and the result will look blurry or pixelated.

Changing DPI in Photoshop is straightforward, but the outcome depends on whether you want to keep the physical print size the same or keep the pixel dimensions the same. Most people need to do one or the other, and Photoshop gives you that choice.

Key Takeaways

Open the Image menu, select Image Size, and you will see the current DPI listed as Resolution in the dialog box.
Check the chain link icon between Dimensions and Resolution — if it is linked, changing DPI will shrink or enlarge the printed size; if unlinked, the printed size stays the same but pixel count changes.
For print work, set DPI to 300; for web and screen display, use 72 or 96 DPI.
Changing DPI does not add detail to a blurry image — it only changes how the existing pixels are spaced on paper.

Opening the Image Size dialog

Start with the image already open in Photoshop. Click the Image menu at the top of the screen. From the dropdown, select Image Size. A dialog box will open showing your current dimensions in pixels, the physical size in inches (or centimeters), and the Resolution field — this is where DPI lives.

You will see three numbers: width and height in pixels at the top, then width and height in inches below, and finally Resolution in DPI at the bottom right. Between the pixel dimensions and the physical dimensions is a small chain link icon. This icon controls whether the two are locked together.

Understanding the chain link and what it controls

The chain link icon is the key to understanding what happens when you change DPI. If the chain is linked (connected), changing the DPI will automatically adjust the physical print size to keep the pixel count the same. If the chain is unlinked (broken), changing the DPI will keep the physical print size the same and change the pixel count instead.

Most of the time, you want the chain linked. This means: if you have a 1000 × 1000 pixel image and you change from 72 DPI to 300 DPI, the pixel count stays 1000 × 1000, but the printed size shrinks from about 14 inches to about 3 inches. The image stays sharp because you are not stretching the pixels.

You would unlink the chain only if you need to keep a specific printed size — for example, a 4 × 6 inch photo — and you are willing to add or remove pixels to hit that size. This is rare in practice.

Changing DPI for print work

If you are preparing an image for printing, set the Resolution field to 300. Make sure the chain link is connected before you do this. Click in the Resolution field, clear the current number, type 300, and press Enter.

Photoshop will update the physical dimensions (width and height in inches) automatically. Your pixel count does not change — only the spacing of those pixels on paper changes. If your image was already large enough in pixels, you now have a print-ready file. If the printed size is now too small for what you need, you will have to go back and start with a larger original image or accept a smaller print.

Do not try to increase DPI on a small image and expect it to print larger and sharp. A 500-pixel-wide image will print about 1.7 inches wide at 300 DPI, no matter what. Changing DPI cannot add detail that was not there.

Changing DPI for web and screen display

Images for websites, email, and social media should use 72 DPI or 96 DPI. These numbers match how screens display pixels, so there is no mismatch between what Photoshop thinks and what the screen shows. The DPI number itself does not affect how the image looks on a screen — screens ignore DPI and display one pixel per screen pixel — but setting it correctly keeps your file size reasonable and prevents confusion later.

Open Image Size, make sure the chain link is connected, and change the Resolution field to 72. Your pixel dimensions stay the same, and the physical dimensions will expand (because the same pixels are now spaced further apart). This does not change the image itself; it only changes what Photoshop reports about how it would print.

Checking your work before saving

After you change DPI, look at the Image Size dialog one more time to confirm the numbers make sense. For a print image, the physical dimensions (in inches) should match what you actually need to print. For a web image, the pixel dimensions should match your target — usually 1200 pixels wide for a social media post, or whatever size your website template expects.

Close the Image Size dialog by clicking OK. The image on your screen will not look different — DPI is metadata, not a visual change. When you save the file, Photoshop will embed the DPI information in the file so that printers and other programs know what you intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DPI make my blurry image sharp?

No. DPI only controls how pixels are spaced on paper. If your image is blurry because it was shot out of focus or enlarged too much, changing DPI will not fix it. You need to start with a sharper original or accept the blur.

What DPI should I use for a photo I am printing at home?

Use 300 DPI for the best results. Home printers can work with 240 DPI in a pinch, but 300 is the standard. If your image is smaller than 300 DPI requires, print it smaller rather than trying to stretch it.

Can I change DPI after I have already resized my image?

Yes. DPI is separate from pixel dimensions, so you can change it anytime. Just open Image Size again and adjust the Resolution field. Your pixels do not change unless you unlink the chain.

Why does my printer ignore the DPI I set in Photoshop?

Some printers have their own DPI settings that override what is in the file. Check your printer driver settings before printing. Also make sure you are saving the file in a format that preserves DPI information, like TIFF or PSD, not all formats carry it.

Is 72 DPI really enough for web images?

Yes. Screens do not use DPI the way printers do — they display one pixel per screen pixel regardless of the DPI number in the file. Setting 72 DPI is a convention that keeps file sizes down and prevents accidental printing at the wrong size.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.