How Big Can I Print This Image?
Enter the pixel dimensions of your image to see every common maximum print size at once: 72, 100, 150, 200 and 300 DPI. The lower the DPI, the larger the print - and the softer it looks up close. If you already have a target size, use the Print Size & Required Pixels Calculator instead.
| DPI | Maximum print size | Use this for |
|---|
How to read the results
Print size = pixel size ÷ DPI. A 6000 × 4000 px image (24 megapixels) prints at 20 × 13.3 in at 300 DPI and at 60 × 40 in at 100 DPI. Choose the DPI that matches how closely people will view the print, then check that your image meets it.
Reading the results correctly
The table shows the maximum print size at each resolution, not a requirement. The same file can be printed at several sizes: choose the row whose "use this for" column matches how closely the print will be viewed. A poster on a wall is viewed from further away than a photo in your hand, so it can use fewer pixels per inch without looking soft.
Worked examples
- 12 MP (4000 × 3000 px): 13.3 × 10 in at 300 DPI, 20 × 15 in at 200 DPI, 26.7 × 20 in at 150 DPI, 55.6 × 41.7 in at 72 DPI.
- 24 MP (6000 × 4000 px): 20 × 13.3 in at 300 DPI, 40 × 26.7 in at 150 DPI - a strong poster file.
- 48 MP (8000 × 6000 px): 26.7 × 20 in at 300 DPI and 53.3 × 40 in at 150 DPI, enough for very large wall prints.
Pixels alone do not guarantee sharpness
A file can have enough pixels and still look soft if it was cropped heavily, shot with motion blur, saved at a low JPEG quality or upscaled from a smaller original. Sharpness is a combination of optical quality, focus, shutter speed and real pixel data. When in doubt, inspect the file at 100% zoom before ordering a large print.
Common mistakes
- Judging by file size in MB. A compressed JPEG can be small on disk but still contain plenty of pixels - and vice versa.
- Assuming megapixels alone decide quality. A sharp 12 MP photo beats a blurry 48 MP one at any size.
- Upscaling before checking. Interpolation cannot recover detail that was never captured.
- Ignoring viewing distance. A billboard at 20 DPI looks sharp from 60 feet away; the same file would look terrible on a desk.
Related tools
Print size calculator · Print PPI calculator · Poster DPI calculator · Large format resolution guide
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest poster size for a 24-megapixel photo?
At 150 DPI it prints at 40 × 26.7 in, which suits a poster viewed from 3-6 feet. At 300 DPI the same image prints at 20 × 13.3 in, which is the limit for close-up photo quality.
Can I print bigger than the largest size shown?
Yes, at even lower DPI, but the print will look progressively softer. Some print services accept low-DPI files for large products viewed from a distance; always check their specification.