Pixel density refers to the number of pixels in a given space and is used to indicate display, scanning, and printing quality. It is measured in pixels per inch (PPI) and higher numbers result in smoother images with more detail.
Pixel density is a term used to refer to the number of pixels, or image elements, present within a given space in a number of different contexts. The term is often used in reference to monitors and television screens to indicate the quality of the display at various resolutions. It can also be used when dealing with image scanners and digital cameras to refer to how well an image can be captured based on the number of pixels in an area that can be scanned. Pixel density can also be used in reference to printers and print images, as it relates to the number of individual pixels printed in a given space.
Often measured in pixels per inch (PPI), pixel density is usually demonstrated with reference to a given amount of area, often a single inch (2.54 cm). Pixel density indicates how many picture elements, each a tiny point of light or color that makes up an image, are present within that space. The higher the number, the higher the quality of the image, as more pixels in a space allow for a higher resolution of an image and more detail.
On a computer monitor or television screen, for example, pixel density often indicates how many pixels exist in a given screen space. Each pixel on a screen is a single tiny “dot” of light that makes up the big picture displayed on the screen; these individual pixels can often be seen when looking very closely at a screen. With more pixels and higher pixel density, these individual dots are harder to see and create a smoother overall image.
Computer scanners and digital cameras often also provide a numerical pixel density to indicate the quality of the image that can be captured or scanned. Higher numbers indicate greater image clarity and detail, as more pixels can result in a cleaner image. A low-density scanner, for example, might scan a photograph in a somewhat blocky way that lacks the smoothness of the original image.
Pixel density is also typically used to indicate the quality of a printer. In printmaking, each pixel is a single dot of ink or toner used to create the overall image, similar to the pointillism art style. Printers with higher density can print more dots within a given space and thus create a smoother image with more detail. This is often important for commercial printers used in magazine printing, where photographs and images are displayed in high resolution.
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