Guide
What DPI Should You Scan Old Photos?
Learn the right DPI and resolution settings for scanning prints, slides, and negatives—plus how phone megapixels translate to DPI.
Published Nov 13, 2025 · Updated Nov 13, 2025
Resolution jargon can be confusing. Here’s a simple guide to picking the right DPI so you don’t over- or under-shoot.
Recommended DPI for Prints
| Original Size | Minimum | Ideal | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3×5 or 4×6 | 300 DPI | 600 DPI | Great for reprints and online sharing. | | 5×7 or 8×10 | 300 DPI | 600 DPI | Larger originals need less magnification. | | Wallet / mini prints | 600 DPI | 1200 DPI | Gives room to crop/enlarge. |
Slides & Negatives
Aim for 2400–4000 DPI to capture all the detail in film grain. Dedicated film scanners or DSLR rigs excel here, but PhotoScanRestore’s slide workflow plus a light pad can help for casual projects.
Phone Megapixels vs DPI
Approximate equivalence for a 4×6 print:
- 12 MP phone (4032×3024 px) ≈ 670 DPI
- 24 MP phone ≈ 950 DPI
- 48 MP phone ≈ 1,350 DPI
So if your phone is 12 MP or higher, you’re already matching common archival recommendations when using a good scanning app.
File Size vs Quality
Higher DPI = bigger files. A 4×6 at 600 DPI (TIFF) might be ~25 MB; at 1200 DPI it can exceed 80 MB. Save TIFF masters for keepsakes and high-quality JPEGs for everyday sharing to keep storage manageable.
Scan at the Right ResolutionStill unsure? Start at 600 DPI (or the phone equivalent) and keep consistent notes per batch so you can re-scan only the photos that need extra detail later.
Digitize & Restore FreeBack to Best Way to Scan Old Photos · Compare capture methods in phone vs scanner.