Common Print Sizes Chart
Standard photo and poster sizes converted to centimetres and pixel dimensions at common print resolutions. Change the DPI to see exactly how many pixels each size needs.
| Print size | Inches | Centimetres | Aspect ratio | Pixels |
|---|
Pixel values are rounded to whole numbers. Always confirm the final DPI with your print service.
How to use this chart
- Find the size your print service offers, for example 16 × 20 in.
- Select the DPI the service recommends.
- Check that your image is at least as large as the pixel column, and ideally larger with the same aspect ratio.
Why DPI changes the pixel count
A printer places a fixed number of dots per inch. At 300 DPI a 6 × 4 in photo needs 1800 × 1200 pixels; at 150 DPI the same physical print only needs 900 × 600 pixels because each inch contains fewer dots. Physical size stays the same - only the required resolution changes.
How print sizes relate to aspect ratio
Every print size has an aspect ratio, and photos rarely match all of them. A 3:2 camera file (6000 × 4000) fits 4 × 6 and 8 × 12 perfectly, but an 8 × 10 or 16 × 20 print uses a 4:5 ratio and requires cropping the sides. Knowing the ratio before ordering avoids surprise crops in the lab.
Worked examples
- 16 × 20 inches at 300 DPI needs 4800 × 6000 pixels - a 28.8 MP crop, which is demanding for many cameras.
- 16 × 20 inches at 200 DPI needs 3200 × 4000 pixels (12.8 MP), a realistic canvas print target.
- 24 × 36 inches at 150 DPI needs 3600 × 5400 pixels (19.4 MP) and is sharp at normal poster viewing distance.
- 8 × 10 inches at 300 DPI needs 2400 × 3000 pixels, easy for almost any modern phone photo.
Frames, mats and standard products
When you buy a frame, its size usually refers to the frame opening, not the artwork. An 8 × 10 print in a 11 × 14 frame needs a mat with an 8 × 10 opening. Use the frame and mat calculator to work out the mat board and outside frame dimensions.
Common mistakes
- Ordering a 16 × 20 print from a 3:2 photo without accepting the crop, then losing the top of a head or the edge of a scene.
- Printing a 3000 px file as a 24 × 36 poster and blaming the lab; the file is simply too small to be sharp up close.
- Mixing up portrait and landscape orientations when the same numbers can describe both.
- Forgetting that 4 × 6 is a 3:2 ratio while 5 × 7 is 5:7 - they crop differently.
Related tools
Print size calculator · Photo crop calculator · Canvas print calculator · Large format resolution guide
Frequently asked questions
What resolution do I need for an 8 × 10 print?
At 300 DPI you need 2400 × 3000 pixels. At 200 DPI you need 1600 × 2000 pixels.
What is the largest size I can print with a 12-megapixel photo?
A 12-megapixel image is typically 4000 × 3000 pixels. At 300 DPI that prints at about 13.3 × 10 inches; at 200 DPI it prints at 20 × 15 inches.
Can I use a lower DPI for a bigger poster?
Yes, if the poster will be viewed from farther away. Large-format posters are often printed at 100–150 DPI, and billboards can be much lower because viewing distance is large.