What DPI do I need for printing?

300 DPI is the standard for professional printing and gallery-quality prints viewed up close. 240 DPI is sufficient for most photo books and consumer prints. 150 DPI works for large prints (A1+) viewed from 1m or more. Billboards may use 30-70 DPI since they are viewed from metres away.

How do I calculate maximum print size?

Divide your image pixel dimensions by the target DPI: max width (inches) = pixel width / DPI. Then convert to cm by multiplying by 2.54. A 6000x4000px image at 300 DPI = 20x13.3 inches = 50.8x33.9 cm.

Does upscaling help for larger prints?

AI upscaling (Topaz Gigapixel, Adobe Super Resolution) can effectively double or quadruple resolution with good results. However, it cannot add detail that was not captured. For the best large prints, start with the highest resolution original and use upscaling to bridge small gaps.

What is the relationship between DPI and PPI?

PPI (pixels per inch) describes digital image resolution. DPI (dots per inch) describes printer resolution. For photography, they are often used interchangeably. A 300 PPI image printed at 300 DPI gives one image pixel per printed dot. Printers may use multiple dots per pixel for colour accuracy.

PhotoCalcs

Print Size Calculator — Maximum Print Dimensions

Find the maximum print size at a given DPI from your image resolution.

Image Width

Image width in pixels

Image Height

Image height in pixels

Target DPI

Print resolution

How We Calculate This

Print size is calculated by dividing pixel dimensions by the print resolution:

Print Size Formula

Print width (inches) = pixel width / DPI

Print width (cm) = print width (inches) x 2.54

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard optical and photographic formulas. Results may vary with specific equipment.