Image Print Size Calculator

Our image print size calculator determines the maximum size you can print a digital image while maintaining acceptable quality. By entering your image's pixel dimensions and target DPI (Dots Per Inch), you can instantly see how large your photo can be printed before quality degradation becomes visible.

Print quality depends on the relationship between pixel count and physical output size. A 12-megapixel image (4000×3000 pixels) prints beautifully at 13×10 inches at 300 DPI, but enlarging beyond this introduces softness and visible pixelation.

300 DPI – Professional Photo Prints

300 DPI is the gold standard for photo lab prints, magazines, and high-quality marketing materials. At this density, individual dots are invisible to the naked eye at normal viewing distances, producing smooth gradients and sharp details.

150-200 DPI – Large Format Prints

For posters and large prints viewed from several feet away, 150-200 DPI provides excellent quality while allowing larger output from the same source files. Billboard images may use even lower resolutions since they're viewed from great distances.

72 DPI – Web and Screen Display

Images intended for web display only need 72-96 DPI since monitors have fixed pixel densities. Higher DPI settings in web images don't improve quality but increase file size unnecessarily.

The formula is simple: Print Size (inches) = Pixel Dimension ÷ DPI. A 6000-pixel-wide image at 300 DPI prints at 6000÷300 = 20 inches wide. Reduce DPI to 150, and the same image prints at 40 inches, though with reduced sharpness per inch.

When planning photography for specific print sizes, work backward: Required Pixels = Print Size × DPI. A 24×36 inch poster at 200 DPI needs 4800×7200 pixels, or approximately 35 megapixels. Knowing these requirements helps select appropriate camera resolution and shooting techniques.