An image forming apparatus is provided, that includes a recording head including a plurality of nozzles to discharge droplets; and a droplet discharge sensor unit to detect whether a droplet has been discharged from the plurality of nozzles of the recording head or not. The droplet discharge sensor unit includes a resistor, on which the droplets discharged from the nozzles of the recording head lands, the resistor disposed opposite the recording head; and a sensor to detect a change in electrical resistance of the resistor when the droplets discharged from the plurality of nozzles of the recording head landed on the resistor.