How to Increase DPI of Image: Ways and the Best Tool

Whenever I'm trying to print a photo, it often comes out blurry and distorted, and more often than not, it's because the picture has a low DPI. So I wondered how to increase the DPI of image, and I tried out different tools to help me increase the DPI of the image, and it felt like I was doing magic. However, trying to figure out which tool works the best and increases the DPI for free was a challenging task. So to help you save your time, I've explained my top tools to help you increase the DPI of an image, and given a guide on how to use them.

What is DPI of Image?

Before we start looking into the tools, it’s important to understand what DPI actually is. DPI stands for “dots per inch”. It refers to the number of printed dots that appear in a one-inch line of an image. So, higher DPI means more detail and sharper results, which is necessary when printing or working with high-quality visual media.

For example, images intended for web display typically use 72 DPI, while professional prints often require 300 DPI or more. That difference directly affects how good your image will look when resized or printed. Changing the DPI doesn’t necessarily add details by itself, but it sets up the image for better clarity during printing.

How to Increase DPI of Image: 3 Best Tools

When it comes to improving image quality, increasing the DPI is one of the most important things to do, especially if you need to post or print the images. Finding a good tool was really hard as most of the tools were paid, but I did manage to find some good ones, so let’s go over them.

1. Use PI7 Image Tool

PI7 Image Tool is a solid choice. It’s an online tool that increases the DPI of your image. It doesn’t ask for sign-ups or show any ads. It also lets you convert 3 pictures at one time, and you can choose the DPI that your image needs to be at.

Let’s have a look at how you can use the PI7 Image Tool to increase the DPI of your image.

Step 1: Firstly, open your browser and go to image.pi7.org/convert-DPI.

Step 2: Once the page loads, click on the bold “Select Images” button and upload the image you want to convert.

Step 3: The DPI is set to 300 by default, which is perfect for daily usage and printing. Change it if you want, then click the “Convert DPI” button.

Step 4: When it’s ready, you’ll see a “Download” option. Click on that bold link to save your updated image to your device.

It’s an amazing tool without any ads or sign-ups. I love how easy it is to increase the DPI of any image you want through this tool. It works perfectly every time, and is very reliable, making it one of my top tools to increase the DPI of an image.

Pros:

• No download or signup

• Quick and easy

• Works on mobile and desktop

Cons:

• Doesn’t enhance image clarity, just changes DPI

• Basic UI

2. Use Photoshop to Increase DPI

Photoshop is probably the most well-known tool in the photo editing community, and it’s also really great for increasing the DPI of an image. One thing I don't like about it is that you have to pay for it, but other than that, it’s amazing for increasing the DPI of an image, and it offers more editing power as well.

You must be wondering how to change DPI in Photoshop, so let’s get right into it:

Step 1: Open Photoshop and click on the bold “File” menu, then select “Open” to load your image.

Step 2: Once your image is loaded, click on the bold “Image” menu, then select “Image Size”.

Step 3: In the window that appears, you’ll see a field labeled “Resolution”. Change that value to something like “300”.

Step 4: Make sure the checkbox labeled “Resample” is checked. Choose “Preserve Details” from the dropdown for better results, then click “Ok”.

Step 5: Save your image by clicking on “File > Save As”.

Photoshop is a really amazing tool, and it allows you to do endless things, with your imagination being the only limiting factor. The only bad thing I have to say about it is that you need a paid subscription to use it. The next time you’re wondering how to increase DPI in photoshop, this is how you do it.

Pros:

• Professional-grade control

• Allows image enhancement alongside DPI changes

• Widely used in design industries

Cons:

• Paid software

• Not beginner-friendly

3. Topaz Gigapixel AI

Topaz Gigapixel AI not only helps you change the DPI for your image, it also helps you enhance the picture using Artificial Intelligence. It’s a very amazing tool, and I would say that it almost comes next to Photoshop, and it’s very reliable making it one of my top 3 tools for picture enhancement.

It is very easy to use, and here is how you can use it as well:

Step 1: Launch the Topaz Gigapixel application and use the “Browse Images” button to select the picture you want to change the DPI of.

Step 2: Once loaded, the application will start enhancing your image automatically.

Step 3: On the right panel labelled “Upscale”, you will see the option to change the DPI. Set it to the value you want, I recommend 300.

Step 4: When done, click on “Export Image” and your picture will be downloaded with your desired DPI.

It’s a great tool, but it has a very big downside, which is that it has a price tag of $99, which is quite a bit if you’re just wondering how to increase the DPI of an image, but it‘s a worthwhile investment for photographers or people that need good editing software on a daily basis.

Pros:

• AI enhancement with detail restoration

• Supports batch processing

• Great for old photos or artwork

Cons:

• Expensive license fee

• Needs installation

Comparison of the Tools Mentioned Above

Because each of these tools are unique and offer something different, alongside being really good, it gets confusing on which tool to use. To help you decide between which tool to use, I have made a comparison table highlighting the key features of each tool so that you can choose more easily.

All these tools work amazingly well, especially Photoshop, which is in my opinion, the best tool for increasing the DPI of your image. What makes your image even better is when you pair Photoshop with an Image Enhancer, that is going to make your image pop out like the Sun in the sky.

Why Choose Toolmart's Image Enhancer？

Toolmart’s Image Enhancer really stands out, especially for everyday users. You don’t need to install anything, there are no registration barriers, and it's completely free. It uses AI to improve sharpness, clarity, and contrast, which means you're not just changing the DPI, you're genuinely upgrading how your photo looks.

It’s very easy to use, so let’s quickly see how you can use Toolsmart’s Image Enhancer to increase the quality of your pictures.

Step 1: In your browser, open Toolmart’s Free Image Enhancer, and click on the “Upload Image” button to upload the image you want to enhance.  

Step 2: When the tool has processed the image, you’ll see the new version on the screen. Click on the bold “Download” button to save your transformed photo.

It’s that simple, with no sign-up, no watermarks, and you can enhance as many photos as you like. This is perfect for people who are not much accustomed with picture editing software as the interface is really simple, and it is very easy to use.

Pros:

• 100% free and unlimited

• No signup required

• AI-powered clarity and detail

• Web-based, fast access

FAQs

Q1: How much do I need to pay if I use Photoshop?

Photoshop typically costs $20.99/month for the individual plan or $52.99/month for the full Creative Cloud suite.

Q2: I am a beginner in Photoshop, will it be difficult for me to operate?

Yes, Photoshop can be tricky at first. But changing DPI is one of its simpler tasks. With a few tutorials, you'll get the hang of it.

Q3: Is it easier to use Photoshop or Toolmart’s Image Enhancer?

Toolmart’s Image Enhancer is far easier. It doesn’t require software installation, and the whole process takes under a minute.

Q4: Is Toolmart’s Image Enhancer safe to use?

Absolutely. It’s completely secure and doesn’t ask for any personal info or downloads.

Q5: What else can Toolmart do besides increasing DPI?

Toolmart can also convert file types, download videos/audio from YouTube or TikTok, help with AI writing, and more. And yes, all of it is free—no login needed.

Final Thoughts on Boosting Image DPI

All in all these 3 tools are really good for increasing the DPI of your images. PI7 is a very amazing tool that works completely and brilliantly in your browser, while Photoshop and Topaz Gigapixel AI have to be downloaded and are more of fully fledged picture editors rather than DPI increasing tools. Whichever one you choose, make sure that you pair it with Toolsmart’s Image Enhancer to make sure that the quality of your image is top notch. I hope the next time you’re wondering how to increase the DPI of an image, you won’t have much difficulty.