Poster DPI Calculator
Work out how many pixels your poster needs based on its physical size and how far away people will view it. Large posters viewed from a distance need fewer pixels per inch than small prints held close.
Recommended DPI by viewing distance
| Viewing distance | Minimum DPI for a sharp look | Typical pixel height for 24 × 36 in |
|---|
How the calculation works
The minimum DPI for an image to look sharp to 20/20 vision is roughly 3438 ÷ viewing distance in inches. At 5 feet (60 inches) that gives about 57 DPI; at 3 feet it gives about 96 DPI. In practice print services usually prefer round values such as 100 or 150 DPI, so the tool also shows a recommended value.
Frequently asked questions
What DPI should a 24 × 36 poster be?
For a poster people stand a few feet from, 100–150 DPI is typical: 24 × 36 inches at 100 DPI means 2400 × 3600 pixels, and at 150 DPI it means 3600 × 5400 pixels.
Why do print shops still ask for 300 DPI for posters?
Some services use one standard for every product to keep quality consistent. If they ask for 300 DPI, supply it: a 24 × 36 poster at 300 DPI needs 7200 × 10800 pixels, which is a very large file.
Will a 150 DPI poster look pixelated?
Not at normal viewing distance. 150 DPI is comfortably above the sharpness threshold for distances beyond about 2 feet, and is a common large-format standard.