4C Tool Hub

Print Size & DPI Calculator

Find out whether an image has enough pixels for the size you want to print. Enter the image pixels and the print size to see the effective DPI, or the largest size the image can print at.

Effective resolution
—
Print quality
—
Width resolution
—
Height resolution
—
Pixels needed for 300 DPI
—
Largest print at 300 DPI
—

The largest this image can print

AtWidth x height (inches)Width x height (cm)Best for

How the calculator works

Resolution is pixels divided by inches. A 4000 x 3000 pixel image printed 16 x 12 inches has 250 pixels in every inch, so its resolution is 250 DPI. The calculator does that for the width and the height and reports the lower one, because the lower side limits sharpness.

Going the other way, the largest sharp print is the pixels divided by the DPI you want. The same image at 300 DPI can print 13.3 x 10 inches, and the table above shows the other sizes.

Which DPI do you need?

ResolutionQualityTypical use
300 DPI or moreExcellentBusiness cards, flyers, brochures, photos, anything held in the hand
200 to 299 DPIGoodPosters and prints seen from arm's length or a little further
150 to 199 DPIAcceptableLarge posters and signs viewed from a few steps back
100 to 149 DPILowBanners and window graphics seen from a distance
Under 100 DPIPoorOnly for very large graphics seen from far away, and usually vector artwork is a better choice

These are guidelines. A simple graphic with bold shapes prints well at a lower resolution than a detailed photo, and your printer's own recommendation for the product and material always comes first.

Fixing an image that is too small

Pixels cannot be invented. If the effective DPI is too low, the options are to print smaller, to go back to the original file or a higher resolution camera setting, to recreate logos and text as vector artwork, or to accept the softer result for something viewed from far away. For help with the other parts of file preparation, see the image converter.

Frequently asked questions

What DPI do I need for printing?
For prints viewed in the hand, such as business cards, flyers, photos and brochures, aim for 300 DPI. Posters and signs viewed from a few steps back look fine at 150 to 200 DPI. Large banners and billboards viewed from a distance often print well at 100 DPI or less. These are guidelines, not hard limits: a clean, simple graphic can print well at lower resolutions than a detailed photo.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
PPI (pixels per inch) describes how many pixels of an image fall on each inch of a screen or print. DPI (dots per inch) strictly describes the dots a printer lays down. In everyday print talk, people say DPI for both, and this calculator does too: it gives the pixels per inch your image would have at the print size you chose.
How is the effective DPI calculated?
The width in pixels divided by the print width in inches, and the height in pixels divided by the print height in inches. The calculator reports the lower of the two, because that is the side that limits sharpness. If the image and print shapes differ, the image has to be cropped to fill the print, and the lower value is the one that still applies.
My image is too small. Can I just increase the DPI in my software?
Changing the DPI number in a file does not add detail. It only changes the size the file claims to print at. To print larger and stay sharp you need more pixels, either from the original camera or design file, or by recreating the artwork as vector graphics, which print sharply at any size. Upscaling software can make an image look smoother but cannot restore detail that was never captured.
Do I need 300 DPI for a large format print?
No. A banner or sign is seen from further away, so a lower resolution looks just as sharp at the viewing distance. A common rule of thumb is that the further away the viewer, the lower the DPI you need. Ask your printer for the resolution they recommend for the product and material.
What about bleed?
Bleed is the extra margin of artwork beyond the trim edge that is cut off after printing, so no white edge shows. If your print needs bleed, add it to the print size before you check the pixels: a 4 x 6 inch card with 0.125 inch bleed is 4.25 x 6.25 inches of artwork.

Related tools

Image ConverterPNG ↔ JPG ↔ WebP with resize — no uploads. Bleed & Trim SizeArtwork size with bleed, safe area and pixel size for any print size. Paper Weight (GSM to LB)Convert gsm to lb bond, text, cover, index and banner oz, with typical uses. Banner & Large FormatResolution and image size for banners and signs, from size and viewing distance.