Definition

pixels per inch (ppi)

Part of the Multimedia and graphics glossary:

In computers, pixels per inch (ppi) is a measure of the sharpness (that is, the density of illuminated points) on a display screen . The dot pitch determines the absolute limit of the possible pixels per inch. However, the displayed resolution of pixel s (picture elements) that is set up for the display is usually not as fine as the dot pitch. The pixels per inch for a given picture resolution will differ based on the overall screen size since the same number of pixels are being spread out over a different space. The term "dots per inch" ( dpi ), extended from the print medium, is sometimes used instead of pixels per inch.

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This was last updated in March 2011
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • dots per inch (dpi)

    - In computers, dots per inch (dpi) is a measure of the sharpness (that is, the density of illuminated points) on a display screen. (WhatIs.com)

Glossaries

  • Multimedia and graphics

    - Terms related to multimedia, including graphics, animation and video definitions and words and phrases about images and sound.

  • Internet applications

    - This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet applications, including definitions about Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models and words and phrases about web sites, e-commerce ...

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