Creative Tools
Print Size Calculator
Enter width, height and DPI to see print size in centimetres or inches.
How big will it print?
Higher DPI means a smaller print from the same pixels — or sharper output at the same physical size. 300 DPI is a common photo-print starting point; large posters viewed from further away often use less. Enter pixel dimensions and target DPI to see print width and height before you order a lab print or send a file to a large-format bureau. Shape checks belong with aspect ratio. Screen pixels are not a guarantee of print quality if the original file is soft or heavily compressed. Upscaling software adds pixels before you print; the DPI formula still applies to the final pixel dimensions. Match colour profiles with your lab’s guidance after the size maths. Labs sometimes soft-proof at a viewing distance assumption — ask if your poster will be seen from arm’s length or across a room. Leave bleed if the printer requires it; the trimmed size is smaller than the file’s full pixel box. Soft files that look fine on a phone often disappoint at A3 even when the DPI maths says they ‘fit’.
Worked example
A 6000 × 4000 px photo at 300 DPI prints at 20 × 13.3 inches (about 51 × 34 cm). At 150 DPI for a wall poster viewed from a few metres, the same file can print around 40 × 26.7 inches. Raising DPI without adding pixels shrinks the print — that is why a ‘high quality’ setting sometimes surprises people with a smaller sheet.
Limits and assumptions
Does not assess focus, noise or compression artefacts. Borderless printers may crop edges. Not a colour-management tutorial.
Frequently asked questions
What DPI should I use for photo prints?
300 DPI is a common lab target for close viewing. Large wall prints may look fine nearer 150–200 DPI.
Why is my print smaller than I expected?
Raising DPI shrinks physical size for the same pixel count. Lower DPI enlarges the print but can look softer.
Does upscaling software change this maths?
Upscaling adds pixels before you print; the DPI formula still applies to the final pixel dimensions.
Is DPI the same as PPI?
In casual print talk people use them interchangeably; the calculator cares about pixels per inch of output.
How do A4 and A3 relate?
Compare the print size with ISO paper in the same units the header is using, or crop the file to fit.