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For ordinary paper snapshots, 300–400 dpi is generally satisfactory; choose 600 dpi when a small print may be cropped or enlarged, or when extra pixels will help preserve visible detail. Slides and negatives need much higher sampling than paper prints: the Library of Congress advises about 1,400–1,500 dpi for small prints or slides and at least 1,500–2,000 dpi for negatives. The right setting depends on the original’s size, intended use, and the scanner’s true optical resolution.
A higher setting creates more pixels, but it cannot capture detail that is not in the original or beyond the scanner’s optical capability. A clean, well-aligned scan saved as a preservation master and backed up is more useful than a large interpolated file.
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| Original or purpose | Practical guidance |
|---|---|
| Ordinary paper snapshots for screens or common-size prints | 300–400 dpi is generally satisfactory, according to the Library of Congress |
| Small paper print, likely crop, or possible enlargement | Consider 600 dpi if the scanner captures that setting optically |
| 35-mm slide | About 1,400–1,500 dpi, per Library of Congress personal-scanning guidance |
| Photographic negative | At least 1,500–2,000 dpi, per Library of Congress personal-scanning guidance |
For a large batch of routine prints, 300 dpi can be an efficient choice; 400 dpi gives some extra pixel margin. Use 600 dpi when the extra samples are useful for the specific photo rather than assuming the highest available menu setting is always best.
Library of Congress personal scanning guidance
DPI, PPI, and what the number changes
DPI is the scanner industry’s common term for pixel density; PPI is technically more precise for pixels in a digital image. Consumer scanner software commonly labels its capture setting DPI. The setting alone does not tell you the resulting pixel dimensions: those also depend on the physical size of the original.
To estimate the pixel dimensions, multiply each physical dimension in inches by the scan setting. For example, a 4×6-inch print scanned at 300 dpi produces 1,200×1,800 pixels; at 600 dpi it produces 2,400×3,600 pixels. These are arithmetic examples, not a promise of equivalent visible detail.
Doubling from 300 to 600 dpi doubles samples in each dimension and creates four times as many pixels for the same original area. That increases data and can provide more room for cropping, but the visible benefit depends on the source photo and scanner.
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When 300–400 dpi is a good choice
The Library of Congress says 300–400 dpi is satisfactory for many snapshot prints and common enlargements. This is a practical starting point for ordinary paper prints intended for screens, sharing, or common-size printing.
- You are scanning standard snapshots for viewing or sharing.
- You expect to print at an ordinary size rather than make a substantial enlargement.
- You have a large collection and want a manageable scanning workflow.
- You do not expect extensive cropping or restoration.
For federal record transfers, NARA uses target pixel dimensions that vary with the original’s size. Its historical example yields 2,400×3,000 pixels from either an 8×10 original at 300 dpi or a 4×5 original at 600 dpi. These are NARA requirements and examples, not a universal consumer scanning rule. NARA digital photographic records guidance
When 600 dpi is worth considering
Consider 600 dpi for a small print, or when extra pixels are likely to help with cropping, enlargement, or later inspection. A 4×6 print scanned at this setting yields 2,400×3,600 pixels, compared with 1,200×1,800 pixels at 300 dpi. The larger pixel count does not mean four times the visible information.
How much useful detail survives depends on the original’s sharpness and condition, the print, the scanner’s focus, and its true optical resolution. Grain, damage, or softness in the original may also be more apparent in a larger scan.
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Prints are not slides or negatives
A slide or negative is a small film original, so it needs a much higher scan setting than an ordinary paper print to produce useful pixel dimensions. The Library of Congress advises about 1,400–1,500 dpi for small prints or photographic slides and a minimum of 1,500–2,000 dpi for negatives. These are broad personal-scanning recommendations; specialized archival projects may use different targets.
If you still have the negative, scanning it separately may preserve detail not present in the paper print. Make sure the scanner is designed to scan film, or use a service that states its film-scan resolution. Do not apply a paper-print setting to film without considering the original’s size and intended output.
Check optical resolution, not just the advertised maximum
A high number in scanner software does not guarantee new detail. NARA requires true optical resolution in its federal transfer context and does not permit interpolation to a higher resolution for record transfer. For home scanning, check the device’s optical resolution rather than relying only on an interpolated maximum. Interpolation enlarges the pixel grid; it does not capture additional information.
The National Archives’ guidance is for records management, not a consumer scanner buying specification. NARA guidance on digital photographic records
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Save a preservation master and a sharing copy
The Library of Congress recommends keeping a TIFF master when possible and describes LZW TIFF compression as lossless. JPEG is convenient for editing and sharing but uses lossy compression, so avoid repeatedly editing and resaving a JPEG master.
- Scan and keep a TIFF master when your software supports it.
- Make a separate JPEG copy for ordinary editing, email, or sharing.
- Back up the master files in more than one place and use descriptive filenames.
File sizes depend on pixel dimensions, compression, format, and image content. A 600-dpi scan has four times as many pixels as a 300-dpi scan of the same print, at the same bit depth; its final file is not guaranteed to be exactly four times as large.
Library of Congress scanning and file-format guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prepare and check the scan
- Clean the scanner glass and gently remove dust from the print before scanning.
- Preview for dust and alignment so you can correct obvious problems before making the final scan.
- Choose the setting for the original and intended use, bearing in mind that a scanner must support the setting optically for it to capture real detail.
- Keep the first clean scan as the master and make edits on a separate copy.
- Back up the master so the digital copy is not dependent on one device or location.
The Library of Congress recommends cleaning the glass, carefully removing dust, previewing scans, and avoiding unnecessary edits to the master. Library of Congress scanning guidance
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Common questions about scanning resolution
Is 300 dpi enough for old family photos?
For ordinary paper snapshots intended for screens or common-size prints, the Library of Congress considers 300–400 dpi satisfactory. Consider a higher setting for a small original or when you expect to crop or enlarge it.
Does 600 dpi make a scan four times sharper?
No. It creates four times as many pixels as 300 dpi for the same print area, but the extra samples may not contain four times as much visible detail. The source photograph and the scanner’s optical resolution limit what the scan can capture.
What resolution should I use for slides and negatives?
The Library of Congress advises about 1,400–1,500 dpi for small prints or slides and at least 1,500–2,000 dpi for negatives. These are general personal-scanning recommendations, not a specification for every archival project.
Should I save scans as TIFF or JPEG?
The Library of Congress recommends keeping a TIFF master when possible and using JPEG copies for editing or sharing. JPEG is lossy, so retain the master and avoid repeatedly resaving it.
Can I trust a scanner’s maximum DPI number?
Check whether the listed resolution is optical or interpolated. Interpolation adds pixels by software rather than capturing new image detail. NARA’s federal records guidance requires true optical resolution for transfers.
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