Print Resolution Calculator
Convert image pixel dimensions and DPI into the physical print size in inches and centimetres.
How it works
Print size (inches) = pixels ÷ DPI · Centimetres = inches × 2.54 · Megapixels = width px × height px ÷ 1,000,000
DPI (dots per inch) sets how densely the image's pixels are packed onto paper, so the physical size is simply the pixel count divided by the DPI. The same file prints large and soft at a low DPI or small and crisp at a high one — the pixels do not change, only how tightly they are spread. At normal viewing distance 300 DPI is the photo-quality benchmark, while big prints seen from further away look fine at 150 DPI or less.
Worked example
A 3,000 × 2,000 pixel photo (6 MP) at 300 DPI prints at 3,000 ÷ 300 = 10 inches by 2,000 ÷ 300 ≈ 6.67 inches, or about 25.4 × 16.9 cm. Drop to 150 DPI and the same file covers 20 × 13.3 inches, but detail softens.
Frequently asked questions
What DPI do I need for a good print?
For prints held in the hand, 300 DPI is the standard for crisp detail. 200 DPI is usually fine, and large posters viewed from a metre or more away look good at 150 DPI, because your eye cannot resolve the pixels at that distance.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
PPI (pixels per inch) describes a digital image's pixel density; DPI (dots per inch) is the printer's output density. In everyday use they are treated interchangeably for sizing a print, which is what this calculator does.
How many megapixels do I need for a given print?
Multiply the target print dimensions in inches by your DPI to get the pixels needed. An 8 × 10 inch print at 300 DPI needs 2,400 × 3,000 = 7.2 MP; anything above that has detail to spare.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.