Which DPI should you use when converting a PDF to an image?
DPI means dots per inch: how many pixels the image gets for each inch of the PDF page. More pixels mean sharper images and bigger files. PDF to Image offers four presets.
The presets
- 72 dpi: screen preview. Fine for thumbnails and quick previews; text looks soft.
- 150 dpi: standard. Good for reading on a screen and for sharing in chat or email.
- 200 dpi: sharp. Crisp text on large monitors, and decent for presentations.
- 300 dpi: print quality. Use for printing or when small text must be legible after zooming.
Choosing by purpose
| Purpose | DPI | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Website or blog | 150 | WebP or JPG |
| Social media post | 150 to 200 | JPG |
| Slide or document insert | 200 | PNG or JPG |
| Printing | 300 | PNG or JPG at high quality |
| Preview of a first page | 72 to 150 | JPG |
Reducing size afterwards
If the image is larger than needed, resize it or compress it. The compressor can aim for a size such as 200 KB.
Quality slider
For JPG and WebP, around 85-90% is a good start. The slider does not affect PNG.
A common mistake
Converting at 300 dpi “just in case” creates large files and can slow your browser on big pages. Pick the lowest dpi that still looks good at the size you need.