Print Size Calculator
Find out how large you can print a photo. Enter its pixel dimensions and the print resolution to get the size in inches and centimeters, see the largest print a camera's megapixels allow, or work out how many pixels you need for a given print.
300 for photo prints, 150–200 for posters.
How to use the Print Size Calculator
- Choose what you want to know: print size from pixels, max print size from megapixels, or pixels needed.
- Enter your image size in pixels or megapixels, or the print size you want.
- Set the print resolution: 300 DPI for photo-quality prints, 150–200 for posters.
- Read the result in inches and centimeters with its quality rating.
- Check the tables to compare resolutions and standard print sizes.
Print size formulas
- Print size (in) = pixels ÷ DPI
- Print size (cm) = pixels ÷ DPI × 2.54
- Pixels needed = print size (in) × DPI
- Megapixels = width px × height px ÷ 1,000,000
- Pixels from megapixels: width = √(MP × 1,000,000 × ratio width ÷ ratio height)
Example: a 24 MP camera with a 3:2 sensor makes images of about 6000 × 4000 pixels. At 300 DPI that prints at 20 × 13.3 in (50.8 × 33.9 cm); at 150 DPI it can go to 40 × 26.7 in.
Pixels needed for common print sizes
| Print size | 300 DPI | MP at 300 | 150 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in | 1200 × 1800 | 2.2 MP | 600 × 900 |
| 5 × 7 in | 1500 × 2100 | 3.2 MP | 750 × 1050 |
| 8 × 10 in | 2400 × 3000 | 7.2 MP | 1200 × 1500 |
| 11 × 14 in | 3300 × 4200 | 13.9 MP | 1650 × 2100 |
| 16 × 20 in | 4800 × 6000 | 28.8 MP | 2400 × 3000 |
| 24 × 36 in | 7200 × 10800 | 77.8 MP | 3600 × 5400 |
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | 2481 × 3508 | 8.7 MP | 1241 × 1754 |
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | 3508 × 4961 | 17.4 MP | 1754 × 2481 |
Viewing distance matters
Large prints are seen from farther away, so they need fewer pixels per inch to look sharp. A common rule of thumb is that a print viewed from about 1.5 times its diagonal looks sharp at around 150 DPI, which is why posters and billboards are printed at much lower resolutions than photos held in the hand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate print size from pixels?
Divide the pixel dimensions by the print resolution in DPI (or PPI). A 6000 × 4000 pixel photo printed at 300 DPI is 6000 ÷ 300 = 20 by 4000 ÷ 300 = 13.33 inches. Multiply by 2.54 for centimeters.
What DPI should I use for printing photos?
300 DPI is the standard for sharp photo prints viewed up close. 240 DPI still looks very good, 150–200 DPI is fine for posters and larger prints viewed from a distance, and big banners are often printed at 100 DPI or less.
How big can I print a 12 megapixel photo?
A 12 MP photo from a phone is about 4032 × 3024 pixels, which prints at about 13.4 × 10 inches (34 × 25.6 cm) at 300 DPI, or about 26.9 × 20.2 inches at 150 DPI.
How many pixels do I need for an 8 × 10 print?
At 300 DPI you need 2400 × 3000 pixels (7.2 MP). For an A4 print (21 × 29.7 cm) you need about 2481 × 3508 pixels, and for a 24 × 36 inch poster at 150 DPI 3600 × 5400 pixels.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
PPI (pixels per inch) describes how many image pixels go into each inch of the print, while DPI (dots per inch) strictly describes the printer's ink dots. In everyday use, and in this calculator, the two terms mean the same thing: image pixels per printed inch.
Does changing the DPI in my image file change its quality?
No. The DPI value stored in a file only tells software what print size to use; the number of pixels stays the same. To print larger at the same quality you need more pixels, and upscaling only adds interpolated detail.