EveryPDFToolPDF DPI & Resolution Checker
Check the effective DPI of raster images inside a PDF based on their pixel dimensions and how large they are placed on each page.
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Choose a PDF to inspect its raster-image resolution.
Maximum file size: 50 MBCheck effective image DPI inside a PDF
A PDF does not always have one single DPI value. PDF pages may contain selectable text, vector graphics and raster images at the same time.
This checker focuses on raster images. It compares each image's pixel dimensions with the physical size at which that image is placed on the PDF page to calculate its effective DPI.
Why effective DPI matters
The same 1200-pixel-wide image can have very different effective resolution depending on whether it is printed four inches wide or eight inches wide.
Embedded metadata DPI vs effective DPI
An image may contain metadata such as 72, 96 or 300 DPI, but that metadata does not necessarily describe its actual resolution after the image is resized on a PDF page. Effective DPI reflects the placement size used in the document.
Understanding PDF image resolution
Pixel dimensions
Pixel dimensions show the actual width and height of a raster image, such as 1200 × 600 pixels.
Placed size
Placed size is the physical area the image occupies on the PDF page. The checker reports this measurement in inches.
Effective DPI
Effective DPI is calculated by dividing image pixels by the physical placement size. For example, a 1200-pixel-wide image placed four inches wide has an effective horizontal resolution of 300 DPI.
Text and vector PDFs
Text and vector graphics do not have raster-image DPI in the same way photographs and scans do. If no raster images are detected, the checker reports that clearly rather than showing 0 DPI.
Frequently asked questions
Does a PDF have one DPI value?
Not necessarily. A PDF can contain text, vectors and multiple raster images with different effective resolutions.
What is effective DPI in a PDF?
It is the resolution calculated from an image's pixel dimensions and the physical size at which it is placed on the PDF page.
Why can metadata DPI differ from effective DPI?
Image metadata is stored with the source image, while effective DPI depends on how large that image is displayed inside the PDF.
What if my PDF contains only text or vectors?
The tool reports that no raster images were detected. It does not assign a false 0 DPI value to the document.