DPI vs PPI: The Most Common Design Mistake
DefinitionDots Per Inch (Printers) vs Pixels Per Inch (Screens).
1The Simple Explanation
PPI is for screens (how many pixels are in an inch of screen). DPI is for printers (how many dots of ink are on the paper). Websites generally ignore both numbers and just look at total pixel count.
2Technical Deep Dive
Changing metadata from 72 PPI to 300 PPI does not change the number of pixels in the image. It only changes a header tag read by printer drivers. A 1000px image is always 1000px wide on a screen.
Common Misconceptions
Myth: I need 300 DPI for my website logo. Fact: Browsers ignore DPI. You need resolution (pixel dimensions), not density metadata.