Photo Print Size Calculator
Find the maximum sharp print size from pixel dimensions and target DPI.
Shows print size at 300, 240, and 150 DPI for 4x6, 8x10, 11x14, and poster prints.
How Photo Print Size and Resolution Are Calculated
Print quality depends on PPI (pixels per inch) — the number of pixels in your image divided by the physical print size. Below the minimum PPI threshold, prints look blurry or pixelated.
PPI Formula:
PPI = Image Pixels (long edge) / Print Size (inches, long edge)
Minimum PPI for Quality Prints:
- Professional/fine art: 300 PPI
- Standard photo prints: 200–300 PPI
- Large format/viewing distance: 100–150 PPI
- Billboards (viewed from 10m+): 15–30 PPI
Max Print Size Formula:
Max Print Size (inches) = Image Pixels / Minimum PPI
Worked Example: Camera produces 6,000 × 4,000 pixel images (24 megapixels):
- At 300 PPI: 6,000 / 300 = 20 inches × 13.3 inches: large format, excellent quality
- At 200 PPI: 6,000 / 200 = 30 inches × 20 inches: poster size, still sharp
- At 150 PPI: 6,000 / 150 = 40 inches × 26.7 inches: gallery print, viewed from distance
Standard Print Size Reference:
| Print Size | Pixels Needed (300 PPI) |
|---|---|
| 4" × 6" | 1,200 × 1,800 px |
| 5" × 7" | 1,500 × 2,100 px |
| 8" × 10" | 2,400 × 3,000 px |
| 11" × 14" | 3,300 × 4,200 px |
| 16" × 20" | 4,800 × 6,000 px |
| 24" × 36" | 7,200 × 10,800 px |
Aspect Ratio Note: Camera sensors (3:2 ratio) don’t match common print sizes (4:5 ratio for 8×10). You’ll need to crop — always compose with this in mind.