Print size in inches is pixels divided by PPI, so a 6000 x 4000 pixel file prints 20 x 13.3 inches at 300 PPI and 40 x 26.7 inches at 150 PPI. Enter your image's pixel dimensions and a print size below, and the calculator gives the effective PPI, a quality rating and the largest print your file makes at 300, 150 and 100 PPI.
24.0 megapixels
Print Quality Analysis
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Maximum Print Sizes at Your Resolution
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Minimum Megapixels for Common Print Sizes (at 300 PPI)
| Print Size | Pixels Needed | Min Megapixels |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6″ | 1200 x 1800 | 2.2 MP |
| 5 x 7″ | 1500 x 2100 | 3.2 MP |
| 8 x 10″ | 2400 x 3000 | 7.2 MP |
| 8 x 12″ | 2400 x 3600 | 8.6 MP |
| 11 x 14″ | 3300 x 4200 | 13.9 MP |
| 12 x 18″ | 3600 x 5400 | 19.4 MP |
| 16 x 20″ | 4800 x 6000 | 28.8 MP |
| 16 x 24″ | 4800 x 7200 | 34.6 MP |
| 20 x 30″ | 6000 x 9000 | 54.0 MP |
| 24 x 36″ | 7200 x 10800 | 77.8 MP |
| 30 x 40″ | 9000 x 12000 | 108.0 MP |
Wondering how far the file will stretch before it shows? How large can you print sets out print quality by PPI and why viewing distance matters more than megapixels.
Size settled and choosing a surface? Glossy vs matte vs luster explains what each paper finish does to blacks, colour and reflections.
How to read the calculator's result
The calculator divides the long side of the image by the long side of the print and the short side by the short side, then reports the lower of the two as Effective PPI. That is the density you get when the photo fills the paper and the excess is cropped off. The rating comes straight from that number:
| Effective PPI | Rating | What the calculator says |
|---|---|---|
| 300 or more | Excellent | Magazine quality |
| 150 to 299 | Good | Great for wall prints |
| 100 to 149 | Acceptable | Fine at normal viewing distance |
| Under 100 | Low | Best for distant viewing |
Aspect Ratio Match compares the shape of the file with the shape of the paper: under 2% difference is a good match, 2% to under 10% is minor cropping, and 10% or more is significant cropping.
Orientation is matched for you. The calculator compares long side with long side and short side with short side, whichever order you type them in. A 6000 x 4000 file shows 250 PPI and a good match on a 16x24 print whether you enter 16 by 24 or 24 by 16.
The print size formula, worked at 300, 200 and 150 PPI
Three versions of one sum cover every question about print size and image resolution:
- Print size (inches) = pixels divided by PPI
- PPI = pixels divided by print size in inches
- Pixels needed = print size in inches multiplied by PPI
Take a 24 megapixel file of 6000 x 4000 pixels. At 300 PPI it prints 6000 / 300 = 20 inches by 4000 / 300 = 13.3 inches. At 200 PPI it prints 30 x 20 inches. At 150 PPI it prints 40 x 26.7 inches. The file is the same each time. Only the spacing of the pixels on paper changes. For centimeters, multiply inches by 2.54: 20 x 13.3 inches is about 51 x 34 cm.
Is PPI the same thing as DPI? DPI vs PPI explains why they measure two different things and why the DPI number stored in a file changes nothing on screen.
Pixels and megapixels needed for 8x10, 11x14, 16x20 and other print sizes
An 11x14 print needs 3300 x 4200 pixels (13.9 MP) at 300 PPI, 2200 x 2800 (6.2 MP) at 200 PPI and 1650 x 2100 (3.5 MP) at 150 PPI. A 16x20 print needs 4800 x 6000 pixels (28.8 MP) at 300 PPI, 3200 x 4000 (12.8 MP) at 200 PPI and 2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP) at 150 PPI. Every row below is inches multiplied by PPI, then width times height divided by one million.
| Print size (inches) | 300 PPI | 200 PPI | 150 PPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x6 | 1200 x 1800 (2.2 MP) | 800 x 1200 (1.0 MP) | 600 x 900 (0.5 MP) |
| 5x7 | 1500 x 2100 (3.2 MP) | 1000 x 1400 (1.4 MP) | 750 x 1050 (0.8 MP) |
| 8x10 | 2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP) | 1600 x 2000 (3.2 MP) | 1200 x 1500 (1.8 MP) |
| 8.5x11 (letter) | 2550 x 3300 (8.4 MP) | 1700 x 2200 (3.7 MP) | 1275 x 1650 (2.1 MP) |
| 8x12 | 2400 x 3600 (8.6 MP) | 1600 x 2400 (3.8 MP) | 1200 x 1800 (2.2 MP) |
| 11x14 | 3300 x 4200 (13.9 MP) | 2200 x 2800 (6.2 MP) | 1650 x 2100 (3.5 MP) |
| 12x18 | 3600 x 5400 (19.4 MP) | 2400 x 3600 (8.6 MP) | 1800 x 2700 (4.9 MP) |
| 16x20 | 4800 x 6000 (28.8 MP) | 3200 x 4000 (12.8 MP) | 2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP) |
| 16x24 | 4800 x 7200 (34.6 MP) | 3200 x 4800 (15.4 MP) | 2400 x 3600 (8.6 MP) |
| 20x30 | 6000 x 9000 (54.0 MP) | 4000 x 6000 (24.0 MP) | 3000 x 4500 (13.5 MP) |
| 24x36 | 7200 x 10800 (77.8 MP) | 4800 x 7200 (34.6 MP) | 3600 x 5400 (19.4 MP) |
| 30x40 | 9000 x 12000 (108.0 MP) | 6000 x 8000 (48.0 MP) | 4500 x 6000 (27.0 MP) |
| A4 (210 x 297 mm) | 2480 x 3508 (8.7 MP) | 1654 x 2339 (3.9 MP) | 1240 x 1754 (2.2 MP) |
| A3 (297 x 420 mm) | 3508 x 4961 (17.4 MP) | 2339 x 3307 (7.7 MP) | 1754 x 2480 (4.3 MP) |
| A2 (420 x 594 mm) | 4961 x 7016 (34.8 MP) | 3307 x 4677 (15.5 MP) | 2480 x 3508 (8.7 MP) |
| A1 (594 x 841 mm) | 7016 x 9933 (69.7 MP) | 4677 x 6622 (31.0 MP) | 3508 x 4967 (17.4 MP) |
| A0 (841 x 1189 mm) | 9933 x 14043 (139.5 MP) | 6622 x 9362 (62.0 MP) | 4967 x 7022 (34.9 MP) |
These megapixel figures assume the file has the same shape as the paper. If it does not, the short side decides, as the aspect ratio section below shows. For megapixel counts turned into pixel dimensions at each sensor shape, see the megapixel to resolution chart.
Largest print from 3600 x 2400, 6000 x 4000 and other pixel dimensions
This is the same sum run the other way: pixels divided by PPI. The 300, 150 and 100 PPI columns are what the calculator lists under Maximum Print Sizes.
| Image (pixels) | Megapixels | 300 PPI | 200 PPI | 150 PPI | 100 PPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3600 x 2400 | 8.6 MP | 12 x 8 in | 18 x 12 in | 24 x 16 in | 36 x 24 in |
| 4000 x 3000 | 12.0 MP | 13.3 x 10 in | 20 x 15 in | 26.7 x 20 in | 40 x 30 in |
| 4032 x 3024 | 12.2 MP | 13.4 x 10.1 in | 20.2 x 15.1 in | 26.9 x 20.2 in | 40.3 x 30.2 in |
| 3600 x 3600 | 13.0 MP | 12 x 12 in | 18 x 18 in | 24 x 24 in | 36 x 36 in |
| 6000 x 4000 | 24.0 MP | 20 x 13.3 in | 30 x 20 in | 40 x 26.7 in | 60 x 40 in |
| 8192 x 5464 | 44.8 MP | 27.3 x 18.2 in | 41 x 27.3 in | 54.6 x 36.4 in | 81.9 x 54.6 in |
| 9504 x 6336 | 60.2 MP | 31.7 x 21.1 in | 47.5 x 31.7 in | 63.4 x 42.2 in | 95 x 63.4 in |
| 11648 x 8736 | 101.8 MP | 38.8 x 29.1 in | 58.2 x 43.7 in | 77.7 x 58.2 in | 116.5 x 87.4 in |
| 9000 x 12000 | 108.0 MP | 30 x 40 in | 45 x 60 in | 60 x 80 in | 90 x 120 in |
Not sure of your file's dimensions? Most photo viewers list them under file info or properties, and there is a walk-through for finding the resolution of an image on a Mac.
Why 300 PPI is a handheld standard, not a wall standard
How much PPI a print needs depends on how far away the viewer stands. A rule of thumb for normal eyesight: the eye stops separating pixels at about 3,438 divided by the viewing distance in inches, the point where one pixel spans one arcminute.
- 12 inches (a print in the hand): about 290 PPI, which is where the 300 PPI figure for books and magazines comes from.
- 24 inches: about 140 PPI.
- 36 inches: about 95 PPI.
- 60 inches: about 57 PPI.
That is why the calculator rates 150 PPI as good for a wall and 100 PPI as acceptable. Large prints are usually viewed from further back. A common estimate is 1.5 to 2 times the diagonal, which for a 24x36 print (a 43 inch diagonal) is roughly 5.5 to 7 feet. Use the higher density when people can walk right up to the print, as in a hallway, and when the picture holds fine detail or small text.
Which print sizes match a 3:2 or 4:3 file, and which force a crop
A 3:2 file fits 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30 and 24x36 with nothing cut off. A 4:3 file fits 6x8, 9x12, 12x16, 18x24 and 30x40. Every other size trims the long side, and the pixels that remain are what the print is made from. The table shows what is left of a 6000 x 4000 file and what the calculator reports for each shape.
| Print size | Pixels kept from 6000 x 4000 | Calculator, 3:2 file | Calculator, 4:3 file |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x6, 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, 24x36 | 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP) | Good match | Significant cropping |
| 5x7 | 5600 x 4000 (22.4 MP) | Minor cropping needed | Minor cropping needed |
| A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 | 5657 x 4000 (22.6 MP) | Minor cropping needed | Minor cropping needed |
| 30x40 | 5333 x 4000 (21.3 MP) | Significant cropping | Good match |
| 8.5x11 | 5176 x 4000 (20.7 MP) | Significant cropping | Minor cropping needed |
| 11x14 | 5091 x 4000 (20.4 MP) | Significant cropping | Minor cropping needed |
| 8x10, 16x20 | 5000 x 4000 (20.0 MP) | Significant cropping | Minor cropping needed |
Because the short side is kept whole, it sets the PPI. A 16x20 at 300 PPI needs 4800 pixels on the 16 inch side. A 24 MP 3:2 file has 4000 there, so it prints 16x20 at 4000 / 16 = 250 PPI, even though 24 MP sounds close to the 28.8 MP in the table above.
Not sure which shape suits the photo? Aspect ratio explains what each one does to a composition, and how to crop photos shows what you keep and lose.
What to do when the file is too small
- Print one size smaller. PPI rises in step as the print shrinks. A file that gives 150 PPI at 24x36 gives 300 PPI at 12x18.
- Accept a lower PPI for a wall. If the print will be seen from three feet or more, 100 to 150 PPI holds up. Textured surfaces such as canvas and matte paper hide low density better than gloss.
- Upscale. Resampling software adds pixels by estimating them from their neighbors. It cannot add detail that was never captured, and fine texture, hair and small text suffer first. Upscale once, to the final size, before output sharpening.
- Stitch. Several overlapping frames joined into one file hold far more pixels than a single shot. Three vertical frames that overlap by a third make a file about 2.3 times as wide as one frame, before the edges are trimmed. Panorama photography covers how to shoot and stitch them.
PPI counts pixels, not detail. A frame blurred by camera shake or missed focus holds less detail than its pixel count suggests, and it looks soft at any density. How to take sharp photos deals with that at the source.
File big enough and ready to send? Preparing photos for print covers color spaces, soft proofing and sharpening for print.
Common mistakes
- Checking a landscape file against a portrait size by hand. Dividing the long side of the image by the short side of the print gives a PPI that is far too high. Fix: divide long side by long side and short side by short side. The calculator does this for you.
- Changing the DPI field to 300 and expecting a sharper print. That number is a label stored in the file. Unless the software resamples, the pixel count stays the same. Fix: judge the file by its pixel dimensions.
- Comparing megapixels without checking the shape. Megapixels are the whole frame, but a crop to 8x10 or 16x20 throws part of it away. Fix: compare the short side in pixels with the short side of the print.
- Holding every print to 300 PPI. That rules out wall sizes the file can carry well. Fix: decide where the print will hang and how close people will stand, then pick the density.
- Shrinking the file before sending it. A resized copy made for the web has too few pixels. Fix: when exporting photos for print, send the full pixel dimensions.
Try this: a 4x6 proof of a large print
Ten minutes at the computer shows what a big print will look like before you order it.
- Pick a photo you would like on a wall and enter its pixel dimensions and the print size in the calculator. The order of the sides does not matter.
- Note the Effective PPI. Multiply it by 6 and by 4. At 167 PPI that is about 1000 x 667 pixels.
- Crop a piece of the photo to exactly those pixel dimensions. Choose a part with fine detail, such as eyes, foliage or lettering.
- Print the crop as a 4x6 without resizing it. It now has the same pixel density the large print will have.
- Look at it from where the large print will be viewed, then from arm's length. If it holds up at the real distance, the file is big enough.
Do your prints never match the screen? Monitor calibration and color management fix that at the source. Print already in hand? How to hang photos covers height, spacing and planning a gallery wall.
Frequently asked questions
What size can I print a 3600 x 2400 pixel image?
12 x 8 inches at 300 PPI, 18 x 12 inches at 200 PPI and 24 x 16 inches at 150 PPI. It is a 3:2 image, so it fits 8x12, 12x18 and 16x24 paper without cropping.
What size can I print a 6000 x 4000 pixel image?
20 x 13.3 inches at 300 PPI, 30 x 20 inches at 200 PPI, 40 x 26.7 inches at 150 PPI and 60 x 40 inches at 100 PPI. On 16x20 paper it prints at 250 PPI after the long side is cropped.
How many pixels do I need for an 11x14 print?
3300 x 4200 pixels (13.9 MP) at 300 PPI. 2200 x 2800 pixels (6.2 MP) gives 200 PPI and 1650 x 2100 pixels (3.5 MP) gives 150 PPI, which the calculator still rates as good.
How many pixels do I need for a 16x20 print?
4800 x 6000 pixels (28.8 MP) at 300 PPI, 3200 x 4000 pixels (12.8 MP) at 200 PPI or 2400 x 3000 pixels (7.2 MP) at 150 PPI. With a 3:2 or 4:3 file, check the short side: it needs 4800, 3200 or 2400 pixels.
How many megapixels do I need for a 20x30 print?
54.0 MP (6000 x 9000 pixels) at 300 PPI, 24.0 MP (4000 x 6000) at 200 PPI or 13.5 MP (3000 x 4500) at 150 PPI. At that size most viewers stand several feet back, so 150 to 200 PPI is usually enough.
What resolution does a large format print need?
The calculator treats 100 PPI as its large format figure and rates 100 to 149 PPI as acceptable at normal viewing distance. A 24x36 print at 100 PPI needs 2400 x 3600 pixels, which is 8.6 MP. Below 100 PPI a print is best kept for distant viewing.