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Photo Print Resolution Calculator

Work out photo print resolution instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Photo Print Resolution Calculator

Pixel dimensions are print size in inches times the print resolution, and megapixels are the product of those two dimensions divided by a million. 300 dpi is the usual standard for prints held at reading distance, while large prints viewed from further away are perfectly sharp at 150 dpi.

Formulas

Pixel dimensions

pixels = print size in inches x dpi, for each dimension

Megapixels

MP = pixels wide x pixels high / 1,000,000

Worked example

With the default values below, Photo Print Resolution Calculator returns Megapixels needed of 7.200. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Print widthminimum 0.1 in
8 in
Print heightminimum 0.1 in
10 in
Print resolutionminimum 10 dpi
300 dpi

Results

Megapixels needed
7.200 MP
Pixels across
2,400 px
Pixels down
3,000 px
Uncompressed 8-bit RGB size
20.60 MB

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Pixel dimensions
  3. 3Megapixels
  4. 4Megapixels needed= 7.200 MP
  5. 5Pixels across= 2,400 px
  6. 6Pixels down= 3,000 px
  7. 7Uncompressed 8-bit RGB size= 20.60 MB

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 3 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 Photo Print Resolution figure worked out?

pixels = print size in inches x dpi, for each dimension. Pixel dimensions are print size in inches times the print resolution, and megapixels are the product of those two dimensions divided by a million.

Why does this matter?

300 dpi is the usual standard for prints held at reading distance, while large prints viewed from further away are perfectly sharp at 150 dpi.

What do I need to enter?

Enter print width, print height, 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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