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Megapixel To Print Size Calculator

Work out megapixel to print size instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Megapixel To Print Size Calculator

Total pixels are megapixels times a million; splitting them by the aspect ratio gives the pixel dimensions, which divided by the target dpi give the print size in inches. Print size grows only with the square root of megapixels, so doubling resolution buys just 41% more linear print size at the same dpi.

Formulas

Pixel dimensions

height px = sqrt(total pixels / aspect ratio); width px = height x aspect ratio

Print size

inches = pixels / dpi

Worked example

With the default values below, Megapixel To Print Size Calculator returns Maximum print width of 20.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Camera resolutionminimum 0.1 MP
24 MP
Aspect ratioone of 3:2 (most DSLRs), 4:3 (micro four thirds, phones), 16:9 (video crop), 1:1 (square)
3:2 (most DSLRs)
Target print resolutionminimum 10 dpi
300 dpi

Results

Maximum print width
20.00 in
Maximum print height
13.33 in
Print diagonal
24.04 in
Print width in centimetres
50.80 cm

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Pixel dimensions
  3. 3Print size
  4. 4Maximum print width= 20.00 in
  5. 5Maximum print height= 13.33 in
  6. 6Print diagonal= 24.04 in
  7. 7Print width in centimetres= 50.80 cm

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Megapixel To Print Size figure worked out?

height px = sqrt(total pixels / aspect ratio); width px = height x aspect ratio. Total pixels are megapixels times a million; splitting them by the aspect ratio gives the pixel dimensions, which divided by the target dpi give the print size in inches.

Why does this matter?

Print size grows only with the square root of megapixels, so doubling resolution buys just 41% more linear print size at the same dpi.

What do I need to enter?

Enter camera resolution, aspect ratio, target print resolution. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.

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