# Screen Size & PPI Calculator

Calculate your screen's PPI (pixels per inch), physical dimensions, and total megapixels. Enter diagonal size and resolution to compare display sharpness.

## What this calculates

Compare monitor sharpness and size with this PPI calculator. Enter your screen diagonal and resolution to calculate pixels per inch, physical screen dimensions, total pixel count, and aspect ratio. Higher PPI means sharper text and images.

## Inputs

- **Screen Diagonal** (inches) — min 1, max 200
- **Horizontal Resolution** (pixels) — min 1
- **Vertical Resolution** (pixels) — min 1

## Outputs

- **Pixels Per Inch (PPI)**
- **Screen Width**
- **Screen Height**
- **Total Pixels** — Megapixels
- **Aspect Ratio** — formatted as text

## Details

PPI (pixels per inch) determines how sharp a display looks:

  - Below 100 PPI: Individual pixels visible at normal viewing distance

  - 100-150 PPI: Standard desktop monitors

  - 150-250 PPI: High-DPI / Retina-class displays

  - 250-400 PPI: Smartphone displays

  - 400+ PPI: Beyond human perception at normal distance

Common resolutions: 1920x1080 (Full HD), 2560x1440 (QHD), 3840x2160 (4K UHD), 5120x2880 (5K).

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is a good PPI for a monitor?**

A: For a desktop monitor at typical viewing distance (2-3 feet), 100-120 PPI is standard, 140-160 PPI is high quality, and 200+ PPI is retina-class where individual pixels become imperceptible. Apple's Retina displays are typically 220+ PPI.

**Q: Does higher PPI always mean better?**

A: Higher PPI means sharper individual pixels, but at some point (around 300 PPI at phone distance, 200 PPI at desktop distance), the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels. Beyond that threshold, higher PPI offers diminishing returns.

**Q: How do I find my screen's diagonal size?**

A: Measure from one corner to the opposite corner of the display area (not including the bezel). Alternatively, check the product specifications online using your monitor's model number.

**Q: What is the difference between PPI and DPI?**

A: PPI (pixels per inch) refers to display density, while DPI (dots per inch) refers to print resolution. They are often used interchangeably in casual contexts, but technically PPI is for screens and DPI is for printers.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/technology/screen-size
Category: Technology
Last updated: 2026-04-21