Dots per inch, often represented as DPI, is a measurement of spatial printing or video dot density, specifically the number of individual dots that can be placed within a linear inch. As an example, a printed image with a rating of 300 has 300 individual dots of ink for every inch. A higher value generally indicates a greater level of detail and sharpness in the resulting image or print.
Understanding this metric is crucial for achieving desired output quality in printing, scanning, and display technologies. It allows for informed decisions regarding image resolution, print size, and display settings. Historically, this measurement became important with the rise of digital printing and the need to accurately represent digital images in physical form, ensuring faithful reproduction of detail and visual fidelity.