DPI & Print Size Calculator
Calculate the print dimensions of your image at any DPI, or find how many pixels you need for a given print size and resolution.
Pixels → Print Size
Print Size → Pixels Needed
Standard Print Sizes - Pixels Required at 300 DPI
| Print Size | Pixels at 300 DPI | Megapixels | Camera Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×6 inches | 1200 × 1800 px | 2.2 MP | Any modern camera |
| 5×7 inches | 1500 × 2100 px | 3.2 MP | Any modern camera |
| 8×10 inches | 2400 × 3000 px | 7.2 MP | 7+ MP camera |
| 11×14 inches | 3300 × 4200 px | 13.9 MP | 14+ MP camera |
| 16×20 inches | 4800 × 6000 px | 28.8 MP | 24+ MP camera |
| A4 (8.3×11.7 inches) | 2480 × 3508 px | 8.7 MP | 9+ MP camera |
| A3 (11.7×16.5 inches) | 3508 × 4961 px | 17.4 MP | 18+ MP camera |
DPI Explained
DPI (Dots Per Inch) describes the density of printed dots in a given area. Higher DPI means more detail per inch of print. For digital screens, PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is used instead.
- 72–96 DPI - Screen resolution. Not suitable for print.
- 150 DPI - Minimum for acceptable print quality. Suitable for large banners viewed from a distance.
- 300 DPI - Standard for professional photo and document printing.
- 600 DPI - High-quality print for sharp text and fine detail.
Setting DPI in GIMP
In GIMP, go to Image → Print Size to view and set the print resolution of your image. Changing DPI here does not change the pixel count - It only affects how the image appears when printed or exported to PDF. To actually change the pixel count, use Image → Scale Image.
Print Planning Examples
| Project | Recommended DPI | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Photo print held in hand | 300 DPI | Sharp enough for close viewing without oversized files. |
| Poster viewed on a wall | 150 to 240 DPI | Large prints are viewed farther away, so lower DPI can still look clean. |
| Line art or text-heavy artwork | 300 to 600 DPI | Edges and small type need more pixel density. |
| Web image | DPI does not matter | Browsers use pixel dimensions, not print metadata. |
If a print shop asks for 300 DPI, they usually mean the image must have enough pixels for the requested physical size. A 1200 × 1800 pixel photo can make a clean 4 × 6 inch print at 300 DPI, but it cannot make a sharp 16 × 24 inch poster without upscaling.
Related Tutorial
Set DPI, choose the right export format, and understand resolution for print vs screen output.