Updated July 9, 2026
The short answer
Printing photos calls for 300 DPI, the long-standing standard for sharp results at normal viewing distances. Scanning existing prints to archive them calls for 600 DPI, which captures enough detail to reprint larger later. Anything headed for a screen only needs 72 to 96 PPI; going higher just adds file size with nothing to show for it.
DPI by use case
| Use case | Recommended DPI/PPI |
|---|---|
| Standard photo prints (4x6 to 11x14) | 300 DPI |
| Large format (poster, banner) | 150 DPI (viewed from distance) |
| Fine art / gallery print | 300 to 600 DPI |
| Scanning old prints (archive) | 600 DPI |
| Scanning for large reprints | 1200 DPI |
| Web and screen display | 72 to 96 PPI |
Should I scan photos at 300 or 600 DPI?
For reprinting at the same size, 300 DPI does the job. For archiving or a future reprint at a larger size, scan at 600 DPI. If the original is small and the plan is to enlarge it significantly, 1200 DPI leaves you more source data to work with.
Check your own numbers
The Required Resolution Calculator tells you exactly how many pixels a target print size needs at any DPI you choose.
Is 400 DPI considered high resolution?
Yes. 400 DPI clears the standard threshold and produces sharp results for virtually any photo subject. Most images at normal viewing distance look the same at 300 and 400 DPI; the small gain shows up on fine texture such as feathers, hair, or woven fabric.
Which is clearer, 600 DPI or 1200 DPI?
1200 DPI is technically finer, but at normal viewing distances the step up from 600 DPI is invisible in a photograph. The extra resolution earns its keep on line art, text, and prints examined under magnification.
Things to know before you print photos
A DPI number only means something next to a pixel count. A camera phone shot that looks crisp on a five-inch screen can still be short of 300 DPI at 8x10, so check the source file, not just the setting on the printer. Cropping tightens a photo and removes pixels at the same time, which lowers the largest size that image can print sharp.
FAQs
Is it better to scan photos at 300 or 600 DPI?
600 DPI holds up better for archiving and for reprinting later at a larger size. 300 DPI is fine if a same-size reprint is all you need.
Which is clearer, 600 DPI or 1200 DPI?
1200 DPI is technically finer, but at normal photo viewing distances the difference from 600 DPI is not visible to most people. It matters more for line art and text.
Should I scan photos at 1200 DPI?
Worth doing when the original is small and you plan a large enlargement, or when archiving a historically important photo at maximum fidelity. Otherwise 600 DPI covers it.
Is 400 DPI considered high resolution?
Yes, 400 DPI clears the 300 DPI photo-print threshold. The gain over 300 DPI is subtle and shows up mainly on very fine detail.
See also: what DPI is actually measuring, why DPI and PPI get used interchangeably, and where to find your image's current resolution.