Figure Checker
Upload a research figure and run a submission-focused preflight
Drag a file here, or click to choose one
One raster figure up to 4 MB.
Use for microscopy, gels, EM, or photographic figure panels.
Evaluate effective DPI against an 85 mm target width.
How Figure Checker Works
Use a submission-first review flow instead of guessing from file metadata alone
Upload the figure you plan to submit
Choose the PNG, JPEG, WebP, or TIFF file that is closest to the real submission version, not an earlier draft.
Set figure type and layout width
Tell the checker whether this is photo-like, mixed, or line art, then choose single-column, double-column, or a custom width.
Review issues and jump into fixes
The report flags DPI, format, and accessibility risks, then routes you into conversion or redraw tools to repair the figure.
Created with SciDraw AI
Real examples generated by researchers using our platform
Integrated anatomic and physiologic evaluation of ischemia in AAOCA, structured as a JACC-style three-panel central illustration.
Create a scientific figure panel suitable for a microbiology and synthetic biology conference poster, adhering to a BioRender-style aesthetic and publication-quality infographic standard.
A nutrient release profile showing lag, linear release, and decay phases as a clean scientific evolution curve.
Accurate DPI Analysis at Real Layout Widths
Figure Checker calculates effective DPI at your actual journal submission width, not just file metadata. Know whether your figure truly meets 300 DPI before uploading.
Select single-column, double-column, or custom width, and the tool evaluates whether your figure's pixel dimensions deliver sufficient resolution at that specific layout size.
Check Your FigureColorblind and Grayscale Safety Preview
Preview how your figure appears under common color-vision deficiencies and in grayscale print, catching accessibility issues before reviewers flag them.
Simulations cover protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia along with full grayscale conversion, so you can verify that your data remains readable for all audiences.
Run Accessibility CheckWhat Authors Search Right Before Figure Submission
When a journal portal asks for 300 DPI, TIFF, or single-column width, most authors are really trying to answer these questions before upload.
Journal figure requirements
Check final size, effective DPI, file format, and whether labels stay readable after export.
Is this really 300 DPI?
Evaluate resolution at the exact submission width instead of trusting file metadata alone.
TIFF, PNG, or JPEG?
Understand which raster formats are safer for journal workflows and why JPEG is risky for text and line work.
Single-column or double-column width?
Estimate whether the figure still passes once it is placed at 85 mm, 180 mm, or your journal's custom width.
Figure Checker brings these submission questions into one preflight review, then adds grayscale and colorblind simulations so authors can catch technical and accessibility problems before upload.
Where Figure Checker Fits Best
Submission preflight
Run a fast figure-quality review before sending files to a journal, co-author, or production team.
Thesis and poster prep
Use the same workflow to review figures for dissertations, posters, qualifying exams, and lab decks.
Teaching and shared materials
Check whether figures still read clearly when printed in grayscale or viewed under different display conditions.
Figure Checker FAQ for Journal Submission
What image requirements do journals usually ask for before submission?
Many journals ask authors to check final figure size, effective DPI, file format, and whether text and symbols stay readable after export. Photo-like panels are often expected around 300 DPI at final size, while mixed figures or line art may need substantially higher resolution. TIFF or PNG is commonly safer than JPEG, but the exact requirement still depends on the target journal.
How do I know if my figure is really 300 DPI at journal submission size?
You need to compare the pixel dimensions of the file with the physical width it will occupy in the final layout. That real output resolution is often called effective DPI. A figure can look like 300 DPI in an editor, but once it is placed at double-column width, the effective DPI may drop below the journal requirement.
Is 300 DPI enough for every scientific figure?
Not always. Around 300 DPI is a common target for photos, microscopy images, or other continuous-tone panels, but line art, schematics, and mixed figures with labels often require 600 DPI or even 1000 to 1200 DPI in some journal guidelines. The safest approach is to check the author instructions and evaluate the figure at the exact submission width.
Should I submit TIFF, PNG, or JPEG for a journal figure?
TIFF is still a common journal-preferred format for raster submission files because it preserves detail without the compression artifacts often introduced by JPEG. PNG is also a strong option for charts, annotated figures, and screenshots. JPEG is usually the riskiest choice for scientific figures because repeated exports can soften labels, edges, and fine structures.
What does single-column or double-column width mean for figure preparation?
It refers to the physical width the figure will occupy in the journal layout, and that width directly changes the effective DPI. Many journals use roughly 80 to 90 mm for single-column figures and around 160 to 180 mm for double-column figures, but the exact value varies by publisher. If your figure is exported for the wrong width, it may fail resolution checks even when the pixel count looks large.
Why does Figure Checker require credits?
Each run creates normalized previews, grayscale and colorblind simulations, and a submission-oriented analysis report. In SciDraw AI, that is treated as a full tool action and currently costs 10 credits per figure.
Need to fix the figure after the check?
Use the converter for safer export formats or jump into AI Drawing to rebuild a cleaner submission-ready figure.
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