How Do I Check My Monitors PPI?

A better understanding of your monitor’s PPI can be crucial to optimizing your display’s quality, scaling, and overall visual comfort. Moreover, many users don’t know that PPI doesn’t just impact the sharpness and clarity of the images and text that appear on your screen. It can directly affect your experience — everything from gaming to desk work.

This is why knowing about PPI can greatly aid you in finding the ideal screen size and resolution that can meet your specific needs. If you are unfamiliar with this practice and thinking, “How do I check my monitor PPI?” Don’t worry, and continue reading.

What is PPI and Why Does It Matter?

PPI stands for Pixels Per Inch, a measure of pixel density on a screen or monitor. It indicates the number of individual pixels that fit into one inch of the display. Essentially, PPI determines how sharp and detailed the image on a monitor appears. The higher the PPI, the crisper and clearer the image will be because more pixels are packed into the same physical space.

Importance of PPI

High PPI can directly influence the sharpness of your images, text, and the overall visuals of your screen. It plays a major role in graphics design, gaming, editing, etc. On the other hand, low PPI will result in blurry visuals and pixelation.

Common Misconceptions About PPI

A common mistake many individuals make is that they think PPI and screen resolution are the same — which isn’t true. For instance, a monitor with a 1920x1080 resolution with a large screen might have a low PPI, whereas a small monitor with the same resolution will have a higher PPI count.

How Do I Check My Monitor’s PPI?

The great thing about checking PPI is that it can be done through a few different methods, including online calculators, manual calculations, and system settings. Here are a few ways you can calculate your PPI.

Using Online PPI Calculators

Online PPI calculators are simple and one of the more approachable tools on this list, depending on which tool you are using — all you need to do is insert your monitor’s resolution and its diagonal size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• First, measure your monitor’s diagonal size in inches. 
• Figure out the resolution of your screen, i.e., 1920x1080, etc. 
• Select an online tool of your choice and insert the values mentioned above. 

Popular Tool

• Rows - Pixels Per Inch PPI Calculator
• calculatorsoup - Pixels Per Inch PPI Calculator

Manual Calculation

If you want to calculate your screen PPI manually, you will need your screen’s resolution and diagonal size, which you can calculate using the formula below. 

Formula

PPI = √(Width² + Height²) / Diagonal Size

Here is a simplified guide. 

• First, determine the width and height of your screen resolution in pixels like 1920x1080.
• Square both of them and then add them together. Then, take the square root.
• Divide the result by your monitor’s diagonal size (in inches).

For Example

The calculation will go like this for a  24-inch monitor with a 1920x1080 resolution. 

Resolution	Width = 1920 pixels, Height = 1080 pixels
Formula	PPI = √(1920² + 1080²) / 24 = √(3686400 + 1166400) / 24 = √(4852800) / 24
Result	220.6 PPI

Checking PPI on Windows

• Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.
• Scroll to the Scale and Layout tap to find your monitor’s resolution.
• Use the resolution and diagonal size to calculate and/or verify the PPI.

Checking PPI on macOS

• Open System Preferences and select Displays.
• Check the resolution and screen size.
• You can either use an online tool or manually calculate the PPI.

Using Built-In Tools or Apps

Some OSs and third-party apps can also aid you in finding your PPI. For instance, apps like MonitorInfoView can show detailed information about your display, including PPI.

Factors That Can Affect PPI

Some factors can also influence the way your PPI displays on your monitor. Here are a few things to look out for when checking your display.

Screen Scaling and Resolution Settings

OS like Windows and macOS can often automatically use display scaling features that can alter how your PPI is viewed. For instance, a higher scaling setting can make your UI appear much larger, even though the actual PPI remains unchanged.

Monitor Physical Size

As mentioned, Your PPI Value isn’t just determined by the resolution; it also depends on the size of your monitor. This means that a 1920x1080 resolution on a 15-inch screen will have a higher PPI than a screen with the same resolution on a 27-inch screen.

Multi-Monitor Setups

Geminos stacked dual screen monitor

If you are using multiple monitors, it is important that you also keep the PPI difference in mind. For instance, if you are using a monitor with a higher PPI alongside a screen with a lower PPI, your viewing experience will significantly vary. This is why you must make sure that you use similar screen sizes and revolutions for a better viewing experience.

Why Is Knowing Your Monitor’s PPI Important?

Having a better understanding of your monitor’s PPI can drastically change how you experience your screen and how much comfort you get from it.

Design and Content Creation

PPI is an important element for designers, photographers, and gamers — as it can determine the sharpness and clarity of their screens. Moreover, higher PPI monitors can provide better precision for design tasks and offer more accurate details.

UI Scaling

PPI also affects the UI elements like font size, button sizes, and general scaling. When you know your PPI, you can adjust the UI to ensure it appears at the optional size for better readability and comfort.

Optimizing Productivity

Monitors with the right amount of PPI can also aid in improving your ergonomics and reducing eye strain, which can result in a more comfortable working environment.

Conclusion

A better understanding of your monitor PPI can help you ensure that your screen is sharp, clear, and suitable for all your needs. Moreover, if you ever wonder again, “How do I check my monitor PPI?” you can check for online tools, manual calculations, or just use the system settings.