DPI Print Size Calculator

The DPI Print Size Calculator bridges digital pixels and physical prints. In one mode it tells you the largest size an image can print at a chosen dots-per-inch resolution; in the other it tells you how many pixels you need to print a given size sharply. Photo labs typically want 300 DPI for crisp prints, so this helps you confirm a file is big enough before you order.

Formula

inches = pixels / DPI; pixels = inches × DPI

pixels

Image dimension in pixels

DPI

Print resolution in dots per inch

inches

Physical print dimension in inches

How it works

1. In Print Size mode, enter the image width and height in pixels and the target DPI; the calculator divides pixels by DPI to give inches, then converts to centimetres.
2. In Required Pixels mode, enter the desired print width and height in inches and the target DPI; it multiplies inches by DPI to give the pixel dimensions you need.
3. A higher DPI produces a smaller, sharper print from the same pixels, while a lower DPI lets the same file print larger but coarser.

Worked example

Frequently asked questions

What DPI should I use for printing photos?

300 DPI is the standard for high-quality photo prints viewed up close. Large posters seen from a distance can use 150 DPI or even less without looking pixelated.

Does increasing DPI improve a photo I already have?

No. DPI only sets how the existing pixels map onto paper. To print larger at the same quality you need more pixels in the original image, not a higher DPI tag.

How many pixels do I need for an 8 × 10 print?

At 300 DPI an 8 × 10 inch print needs 2400 × 3000 pixels, which is 7.2 megapixels. At 150 DPI it would need only 1200 × 1500 pixels.

Is DPI the same as PPI?

Strictly, DPI is ink dots per inch on a printer and PPI is pixels per inch on a screen. In everyday image software the two terms are often used interchangeably for print resolution.

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