Accuracy vs Resolution

Written by Drawbridge Team

We often mistake resolution for accuracy. But the question is, is there a correlation between the two, or none at all? 

You’ve heard both terms. You’ve probably mixed them up.

Let’s break down the real difference between resolution and accuracy.

A common misconception

High resolution ≠ high accuracy

Many assume they’re the same, but they serve different purposes.

Resolution and accuracy are not interchangeable; and one matters more when it comes to engineering and inspection.

Resolution = Detail

Resolution is about how much detail a scanner captures but detail doesn’t guarantee correctness.

More mesh points = higher resolution

Accuracy = Truth

Accuracy is about dimensional correctness. That’s what ensures the part fits, functions, and passes QA.

Measures how close the scan is to the real dimensions

In engineering, accuracy wins

Without accuracy, even the most detailed scan is unreliable for production, reverse engineering, or inspection.

High accuracy ensures true performance

Does higher resolution improve accuracy?

Not necessarily.

You can have high resolution (dense points) but poor accuracy if:

• The scanner is miscalibrated

• There's motion blur, noise, or surface reflection

But in general:

• Higher resolution can enhance perceived detail, which may help fit features more precisely in software.

• If paired with good hardware and calibration, high resolution + high accuracy gives both detail and dimensional reliability.