What is DPI and why does it matter?
DPI (Dots Per Inch) determines the print quality of your image. Higher DPI means more detail and sharper prints. For professional photography prints, 300 DPI is the standard. For large format prints viewed from a distance, 150 DPI may be sufficient. Web images typically use 72 DPI since screen resolution is different from print resolution.
How do I calculate print size from pixels?
To calculate print size, divide your image's pixel dimensions by the desired DPI. For example, a 3000x2000 pixel image at 300 DPI will print at 10x6.67 inches (3000÷300 = 10 inches width, 2000÷300 = 6.67 inches height). Our calculator does this instantly for multiple DPI settings.
How do I calculate required pixels from print size?
To find required pixels, multiply your desired print dimensions (in inches) by the DPI. For example, an 8x10 inch print at 300 DPI requires 2400x3000 pixels (8×300 = 2400 pixels width, 10×300 = 3000 pixels height). This ensures your image has enough resolution for high-quality printing.
What resolution do I need for different print sizes?
For high-quality prints at 300 DPI: 4x6 inches needs 1200x1800 pixels, 8x10 inches needs 2400x3000 pixels, 11x14 inches needs 3300x4200 pixels, and 16x20 inches needs 4800x6000 pixels. Lower DPI settings require fewer pixels but may result in lower print quality.
What's the difference between screen and print resolution?
Screen resolution is typically 72-96 DPI, which looks great on monitors and phones. Print resolution needs to be much higher (300+ DPI) because printers can reproduce much finer detail than screens. An image that looks perfect on screen may appear pixelated when printed if the resolution is too low.
What are megapixels and how do they relate to print size?
Megapixels represent the total number of pixels in an image (width × height ÷ 1,000,000). A 12-megapixel image (4000x3000 pixels) can produce excellent 13x10 inch prints at 300 DPI. Higher megapixel counts allow for larger prints while maintaining quality. Modern smartphones typically capture 12-48 megapixels.