Free tool

How many pixels does your print need?

Enter the finished print size and the file you have. You get the pixel count for each print standard, and the upscale factor that closes the gap.

Pixels needed for each print standard, and the upscale factor required
StandardPixels neededYou need

Press / photo lab

300 DPI · Held at reading distance

7,200 × 10,800 px4× pass (3.6× needed)

Canvas / poster

150 DPI · Viewed from about a metre

3,600 × 5,400 px2× pass (1.8× needed)

Banner / mural

100 DPI · Viewed from several metres

2,400 × 3,600 px2× pass (1.2× needed)

Already have the file and want to check it? DPI checker.

Questions, answered.

Which DPI should I actually target?
Viewing distance decides it. Something held in the hand wants 300 DPI. A canvas on a wall seen from a metre is fine at 150. A banner read from across a room is fine at 100. Targeting 300 for a mural wastes an enormous number of pixels.
Why does the calculator round pixels up?
Because a fractional pixel does not exist, and rounding down would leave the print marginally short of the standard you asked for.
Does the aspect ratio have to match?
The pixel counts are calculated per side, so if your print proportions differ from your image proportions you will crop. Check both numbers, not just the width.
Can I get any size from any file?
Up to a point. A single pass tops out at 8×, and reconstruction quality depends on the source — a clean 2000 px original enlarges far better than a compressed 500 px one.

Short on pixels?

Only Upscalers enlarges up to 8× and writes the result at 300 DPI. 3 images on signup, watermarked. Plans from ₹1,499/month.