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Image Resolution for Print Calculator

Viewing distance changes the requirement.

Written and maintained by Mohit PatelLast checked August 4, 2026How we build these
ft

Maximum print size

10.0 × 6.7 in

at 300 DPI

Megapixels6.0
Required DPI at 2.0 ft150
Size at that viewing distance20.0 × 13.3 in
Difference10.0 in wider

Viewing distance changes the requirement more than most people expect. A billboard viewed from thirty feet needs a fraction of the resolution of a photo book, which is why the same file can be inadequate at A4 and perfectly adequate at two metres across.

How the Image Resolution for Print Calculator works

A billboard viewed from thirty feet needs a fraction of the resolution of a photo book. That is why the same file can be inadequate at A4 and perfectly adequate at two metres across, the requirement falls roughly in proportion to distance.

Also known as: is my photo good enough to print · resolution needed for printing · minimum pixels for print quality

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Frequently asked questions

How does viewing distance change the requirement?

Roughly proportionally. If 300 DPI is right at one foot, 150 is adequate at two and 30 at ten. Large-format printers work to that rule routinely.

What is the maximum print size for my image?

Pixel dimensions divided by the required DPI. A 3000-pixel width prints 10 inches at 300 DPI and 20 at 150.

Do megapixels tell me enough?

Only with the aspect ratio. Twenty-four megapixels in a 3:2 shape and in a square give different maximum widths for the same total.

Can I print larger than the calculation allows?

Yes, and it will be softer. Whether that matters depends entirely on how close anyone gets to it.

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