DPI Calculator

Print DPI Calculator

Enter pixel dimensions and a print size to find the effective print DPI, or pick a target DPI to find the largest print size.

Maximum print size at target DPI

10 x 6.67 inches

Excellent for photo-quality printing at close viewing distance.

Effective DPI at desired width

300 DPI

Excellent for photo-quality printing at close viewing distance.

Image Print Studio

Upload an image, pick a print preset, and check effective DPI, required pixels, cropping and upscaling — before you print.

Drop an image here, or choose a fileProcessed only in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to a server. Max 20 MB.

Upload an image to start. It stays in your browser and is never sent to a server.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter image dimensions in pixels. 2. Pick a target DPI to see the maximum print size. 3. Enter a desired print width to see its effective DPI.

Formula

Print width (in) = Pixel width / DPI. Pixel width needed = Print width (in) x DPI.

Paper sizes and viewing distance

ISO 216 paper sizes and pixels needed at 300 DPI
SizeMillimetersPixels at 300 DPI
A5148 x 210 mm1748 x 2480 px
A4210 x 297 mm2480 x 3508 px
A3297 x 420 mm3508 x 4961 px
Viewing distance changes the DPI you need
Viewing situationTarget DPIWhy
Close-up photo300Held in the hand; fine detail is visible.
Wall poster150Viewed from a few feet away; finer detail cannot be resolved.
Billboard72Viewed from far away; 300 DPI would be wasted pixels.

Frequently asked questions

Is a higher DPI always better?

Not by itself. DPI only matters together with pixel dimensions and print size. A small image printed very large will still look soft, even if you label it 300 DPI.

Does changing DPI metadata add detail?

No. Changing the DPI number in a file changes the intended print size, not the pixels. Detail only comes from having enough pixels.

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