Two 27-inch monitors can render text at completely different sharpness, and the difference is one number: pixels per inch. Resolution alone means nothing without the diagonal size. This calculator combines them and reads the result against real-world sharpness bands.
Updated September 03, 2026, after a fresh review, with updated visuals and links.
Why PPI is the number that matters
Formula: PPI = diagonal pixels / diagonal inches: sqrt(w² + h²) / inches. A 2560x1440 at 27 inches lands at 109 PPI: classic crisp desktop territory.
Context bands: TVs laze at 30-80 PPI (fine at couch distance), desktop monitors run 90-160, laptops 130-220, and phones exceed 400 because you hold them at 25 cm.
The output also gives megapixels and exact aspect ratio, handy when comparing spec sheets that hide the density they sell you.
Worth remembering
- For desk work, 110 PPI is the comfortable crisp-text floor; below that, UI scaling starts inventing blurry fractions.
- When buying: same resolution in a bigger screen always loses sharpness. A 4K 24-inch beats a 4K 32-inch for text every time.
Frequently asked
Is DPI the same as PPI?
Practically, in screens yes; technically DPI belongs to printers (ink dots) and PPI to displays (pixels). The spec sheets mix them freely, this number serves both comparisons.
Does higher PPI always look better?
Up to your viewing distance's limit. Past the point your eyes stop resolving pixels, extra density raises GPU load and price with no visible gain.
