What DPI means for photos, scans and uploads
Updated 2026-09-30
DPI (dots per inch) links pixels to physical size. A 600-pixel-wide image printed at 300 DPI is 2 inches wide. On a screen or in an upload form, only the number of pixels matters.
When DPI matters
- Printing a photo: DPI decides the printed size. Passport photos are usually prepared at 300 DPI.
- Scanning: a higher DPI captures more pixels and produces a bigger file. Lower it when a portal has a size limit. IRCC suggests 96 to 150 DPI.
When it does not
A website that asks for 600 × 750 pixels will accept any file with those pixels, whatever DPI is stored in the metadata. Editing the DPI tag alone does not resample the image.
See passport photo size in pixels, mm and inches for the conversions.
Frequently asked questions
- Is DPI the same as PPI?
- Strictly, PPI counts image pixels per inch and DPI counts printer dots per inch, but the terms are used interchangeably for photos.
- Is 300 DPI required for passport photos?
- Millimetre-sized printed photos are commonly prepared at 300 DPI, but the resolution is not what an online upload checks. Follow the requirement for your document.