Calculate pixels per inch (PPI), check Retina display quality, and find optimal viewing distances for any screen
Input resolution and size to calculate pixel density
Choose from Phone, Tablet, Laptop, Monitor, or TV. Each category has different quality standards.
Input screen resolution (width × height in pixels) and diagonal size in inches or centimeters.
Quick-select from 17+ popular devices including iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and popular monitors.
Check PPI, quality rating, Retina status, pixel pitch, and optimal viewing distance.
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) measures how many pixels are packed into one inch of screen space. Higher PPI means sharper, clearer images because individual pixels are smaller and less visible to the human eye.
PPI = √(width² + height²) / diagonal_inchesA "Retina" display is Apple's term for screens with pixel density high enough that individual pixels are invisible to the human eye at normal viewing distances. The required PPI varies by device type and typical viewing distance.
Modern flagship phones typically have 400-500 PPI for crystal-clear text and images at close viewing distances.
High-end laptops like MacBook Pro offer 220+ PPI for sharp text and comfortable reading at arm's length.
27" 4K monitors offer ~163 PPI, providing excellent clarity for professional work. 5K displays reach ~218 PPI.
TVs require much lower PPI since they're viewed from 6-10 feet away. 4K 55" TV has ~80 PPI, which is excellent at that distance.
Viewing distance significantly affects perceived screen quality. Closer viewing requires higher PPI to maintain sharpness. Our calculator automatically determines optimal viewing distances based on screen size and pixel density.
Compare pixel density of different devices before purchase. Ensure screen quality meets your needs for work, gaming, or entertainment.
Designers need high PPI displays (200+ PPI) to accurately preview design details and ensure color accuracy at close viewing distances.
Find the right balance between PPI, screen size, and refresh rate. Higher PPI at 24-27" provides sharp gaming visuals without sacrificing performance.
For text-heavy work, aim for 140+ PPI on desktop monitors to reduce eye strain during long working sessions. 4K at 27" offers excellent clarity.
Test your app on devices with different pixel densities. Ensure UI elements render correctly across varying PPI ranges (200-500+).
Calculate optimal TV size for your room. At 8-10 feet viewing distance, 4K 55-65" TVs (60-80 PPI) provide excellent picture quality.
For desktop monitors, 140-180 PPI is good, while 200+ PPI is excellent. A 27" 4K monitor (~163 PPI) is a popular choice for professional work. Lower PPI is acceptable for gaming monitors prioritizing refresh rate over pixel density.
Not necessarily. Higher PPI requires more GPU power to drive, may reduce battery life on mobile devices, and provides diminishing returns beyond certain thresholds. Choose PPI based on typical viewing distance and intended use.
Measure from one corner of the visible screen area to the opposite corner diagonally (not including the bezel). Use inches for accuracy. You can also check your device's specifications online.
Resolution (e.g., 1920×1080) is the total number of pixels. PPI measures pixel density - how tightly packed those pixels are. Two monitors with the same resolution but different sizes will have different PPI values.
Yes. Very high PPI (200+ on large monitors) can make text and UI elements too small, requiring OS scaling. This can cause blurry text in some applications. 140-180 PPI is often the sweet spot for 24-27" monitors.
Viewing distance is the key factor. Phones are held 10-12 inches from your eyes, requiring 300+ PPI for sharp images. TVs are viewed from 6-10 feet away, so 50-80 PPI is sufficient - individual pixels are invisible at that distance.
Pixel pitch is the physical distance between pixel centers, measured in millimeters or micrometers. Smaller pixel pitch (higher PPI) means sharper images. It's particularly important for professional displays, LED walls, and close-viewing scenarios.
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