Print Size DPI Calculator
What Your Sensor's Megapixels Actually Buy You in Print
Camera manufacturers sell megapixels, but the number that matters when you're ordering a print is inches at a target DPI. This calculator converts a pixel resolution directly into the maximum print dimensions at a given DPI, in both inches and centimeters, so you know before you order whether a file will hold up at the size you want.
The Formula
Print Dimension (cm) = Print Dimension (inches) × 2.54
The same pixel dimension divided by different DPI targets naturally produces different maximum print sizes — lower DPI targets stretch the same file to a larger physical size at the cost of print sharpness up close.
Where This Calculation Matters
- Print lab orders — confirming a file meets a lab's minimum DPI requirement for a chosen print size before submitting.
- Gallery and fine-art prints — verifying a file supports the large format and DPI a print requires for close-up viewing.
- Camera and sensor comparison — translating raw megapixel specs into the practical maximum print size for buying decisions.
- Cropping decisions — checking how much you can crop a file and still hit the target print size at acceptable DPI.
Maximum Print Size at 300 DPI
| Resolution | Pixel dimensions | Max print size at 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| 12 MP | 4000 × 3000 | 13.33 × 10.0 in |
| 16 MP | 4920 × 3264 | 16.4 × 10.88 in |
| 24 MP | 6000 × 4000 | 20.0 × 13.33 in |
| 48 MP | 8000 × 6000 | 26.67 × 20.0 in |
300 DPI is the conventional standard for close-viewing photo prints; posters and large-format prints viewed from a distance can use a lower DPI and still look sharp.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the image width in pixels.
- Enter the image height in pixels.
- Enter the target DPI (300 for standard photo prints).
- Select Calculate to get the maximum print size in inches and centimeters.
Related Calculations
To solve the same relationship in either direction, including finding required pixels for a target print size, use the Image DPI Calculator. To estimate the resulting export file size, see the Image Compression Calculator.