How to Check Image Resolution Before Printing

The number that matters for printing is pixel dimensions (width × height), not the DPI tag stored in the file. Here is how to find it on any device and decide whether the photo is sharp enough.

On Windows

Right-click the image file and choose Properties.
Open the Details tab.
Read the Dimensions field, such as 6000 × 4000. You can ignore the horizontal/vertical resolution shown in DPI - it is only metadata.

On macOS

Open the image in Preview.
Press Cmd + I or choose Tools → Show Inspector.
Read the pixel dimensions in the More Info tab.

In Photoshop or GIMP

Photoshop: Image → Image Size. Look at the top line for pixel dimensions.
GIMP: Image → Image Properties or the status bar at the bottom of the window.
Both show width and height in pixels, plus the resolution field that you can change without affecting quality.

Is it sharp enough to print?

Divide each pixel dimension by the DPI your print service requires:

At 300 DPI, a 6000 × 4000 px image prints at 20 × 13.3 in.
At 200 DPI, the same image prints at 30 × 20 in.
At 150 DPI, it prints at 40 × 26.7 in (fine for posters viewed from a distance).

Use the image print size checker to do this automatically for any file on your device.

Frequently asked questions

My image says 72 DPI. Is it low resolution?

Not necessarily. The 72 DPI tag is just metadata that many cameras and editors write. Check the pixel dimensions; a 6000 × 4000 px image is high resolution even if the tag says 72 DPI.

Can I make a low-resolution image print bigger in Photoshop?

Changing the resolution field or resampling to more pixels does not add true detail. It only interpolates the existing pixels, so the print may look soft. Start with enough real pixels or accept a smaller print size.

Resolution and viewing distance

Whether a file is "good enough" depends on how closely it will be viewed. A 4000 × 3000 px photo printed at 24 × 18 inches gives about 167 PPI, which looks fine on a wall viewed from several feet but slightly soft when inspected in hand. The same file printed at 13.3 × 10 inches gives 300 PPI and appears sharp at arm's length. Decide the viewing distance first, then check the numbers.

Checking resolution on a phone or tablet

Mobile gallery apps often display a downscaled preview and may report the wrong dimensions. If the number matters - for example before ordering a large canvas - transfer the file to a computer and check the properties there, or use the image print size checker in a browser, which reads the original file without uploading it.

What to do when resolution is too low

Print smaller: reducing the physical size raises the effective PPI.
Accept a lower DPI if the print will be viewed from a distance.
Ask the print shop about professional upscaling - modern tools do better than casual resampling, though they cannot invent true detail.
Reshoot or find a higher-resolution original when the print is important.