What is difference between px, dp, dip and sp in Android?

Samuel Fernandes 2459 23 Apr 2015

how px, dp , dip and sp are differentiated in andriod, what is the purpose and use of using different dimensions

Ask by Samuel Fernandes

Updated 23 Apr 2015

1 Answers

Anonymous User 23 Apr 2015 Accepted Answer

px is one pixel.

sp is scale-independent pixels.

dip is Density-independent pixels.

You would use

sp for font sizes

dip for everything else.

dip==dp

Pixels - corresponds to actual pixels on the screen.

Inches - based on the physical size of the screen.

1 Inch = 2.54 centimeters

Millimeters - based on the physical size of the screen.

pt (it depends upon physical size of the screen) Points - 1/72 of an inch based on the physical size of the screen.

Density-independent Pixels - an abstract unit that is based on the physical density of the screen. These units are relative to a 160 dpi screen, so one dp is one pixel on a 160 dpi screen. The ratio of dp-to-pixel will change with the screen density, but not necessarily in direct proportion. Note: The compiler accepts both "dip" and "dp", though "dp" is more consistent with "sp".

Scale-independent Pixels - this is like the dp unit, but it is also scaled by the user's font size preference. It is recommend you use this unit when specifying font sizes, so they will be adjusted for both the screen density and user's preference.

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What is difference between px, dp, dip and sp in Android?

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