Best DPI for Scanning Photos, Small Prints, Slides and Negatives
What DPI should you scan old photos at? A clear table for prints, wallet photos, slides and negatives, plus file sizes and when higher DPI is a waste.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
DPI (dots per inch) is the most common scanning question, and the answer depends on what you're scanning and what you'll do with it. Too low and you lose detail you can never get back; too high and you waste time and storage on detail that isn't there.
What DPI means
When scanning, DPI (strictly, PPI) is how many pixels the scanner captures per inch of the original. A 4 × 6 inch print at 600 dpi becomes 2400 × 3600 pixels.
Recommended DPI
| Original | Recommended DPI | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard print (4×6, 5×7) | 600 | Captures all the detail typical prints hold |
| Large print (8×10+) | 300–600 | Already large; 600 for archival |
| Small print, wallet, contact print | 1200 | More pixels for restoration and enlargement |
| Tiny photo (passport, locket) | 1200–2400 | Very little area to work with |
| 35 mm slides and negatives | 2400–4000 | Small originals need high dpi |
| Medium format negatives | 1200–2400 | Larger film, less magnification needed |
Why not scan everything at the maximum?
- Diminishing returns: most consumer prints hold no more detail than 600 dpi captures. Higher dpi mostly records paper texture and grain.
- Time: high-dpi scans take much longer.
- Storage: files grow with the square of dpi. Doubling dpi quadruples file size.
What about phone captures?
Phones don't have a DPI setting, but you can calculate the effective value: pixels across the photo divided by its width in inches. A 12 MP phone capture of a 4 × 6 print that fills the frame gives roughly 600–700 effective dpi, which is great. A tiny wallet photo in the middle of the frame might only get 300, which is too low; use the telephoto lens and fill the frame (see scanning photos with iPhone).
DPI and printing
If you plan to print larger than the original, multiply:
- Want an 8 × 10 from a 4 × 5 original at 300 ppi print quality? Scan at 600 dpi (2× enlargement × 300).
- Want an 8 × 10 from a 2 × 2.5 wallet photo? Scan at 1200 dpi.
See restoring photos for printing.
DPI and restoration
Higher-resolution captures give AI restoration more information, especially for faces. After scanning, restore with Refixo to remove damage and sharpen faces; the restored file is exported in full quality.
Related: how to scan old photos, digitizing negatives with your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is 300 dpi enough for scanning photos?
For viewing on screens, often yes. For archiving, restoration and reprints, 600 dpi is a better default.
What DPI should I use for small photos?
1200 dpi or more, so you have enough pixels to restore and enlarge.
Does higher DPI make a blurry photo sharper?
No. It captures existing detail more fully, but can't add sharpness the print doesn't have.
What DPI for slides?
2400–4000 dpi for 35 mm slides and negatives.
Restore it in seconds
Bring your old photos back to life
Refixo's AI removes scratches, tears and stains, sharpens faces and colorizes black & white photos in seconds. Free to download on iPhone and iPad, with a 3-day free trial.
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