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Monitor PPI & Retina Distance Calculator

Calculate Pixels Per Inch (PPI) and the optimal 'Retina' viewing distance for monitors. Compare 1080p, 1440p, and 4K screens.

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0PPI Density
0cmRetina Distance
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About

When buying a monitor, resolution alone is meaningless without screen size. This tool calculates the Pixel Density (PPI) and determines the exact distance you must sit from the screen for the pixels to become indistinguishable to the human eye (often called the Retina Distance).

For gamers and designers, a PPI below 90 often results in visible aliasing and blocky text. Conversely, extremely high PPI (>160) at a desktop distance yields diminishing returns unless you have perfect 20/20 vision. This tool balances screen real estate with visual fidelity.

ppi calculator retina distance screen resolution monitor density gaming setup

Formulas

Pixel Density (PPI) is derived from the diagonal resolution and physical size.

PPI = √w2 + h2dinch

The Retina Distance is calculated based on 1 arc-minute of visual acuity.

Dist = 3438PPI (inches)

Reference Data

ResolutionSizePPIRetina Dist (cm)
1920×108024"91.7994 cm
2560×144027"108.7979 cm
3840×216027"163.1853 cm
3840×216032"137.6863 cm
3440×144034"109.6878 cm

Frequently Asked Questions

A 'sweet spot' is generally considered to be between 108 and 140 PPI. This corresponds to a 27-inch 1440p monitor or a 32-inch 4K monitor. Standard 24-inch 1080p monitors sit around 92 PPI, which is acceptable but can look grainy up close.
Indirectly. Higher PPI usually comes from higher resolution (e.g., 4K), which requires significantly more GPU power to render. However, the PPI value itself does not degrade performance; it is purely a physical measurement of pixel density.