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DPI / PPI Print Size Calculator

inches × PPI = pixels needed. Work it out either direction.

Processed entirely in your browser. Never uploaded to a server.

This calculator runs one formula, inches × PPI = pixels needed, in whichever direction you need it. Enter pixel dimensions and a target PPI to see the largest size you can print at that density, or enter a print size and PPI to see the pixel dimensions your image needs to hit it. Everything updates as you type, entirely in this browser tab.

Why this needs a real calculator, not just a table

"300 DPI" alone doesn't tell you anything, it's a density, not a size, and the pixel requirement scales directly with the physical dimensions you actually need. A quick reference table only covers a handful of common sizes; this covers any width, height, and target density combination.

FAQ

What is the actual formula?
inches × PPI = pixels needed. This calculator runs that formula both directions: pixels ÷ PPI = inches, when you already have an image and want its print size, or inches × PPI = pixels, when you know the print size and need to check your image is big enough.
What PPI should I use for print?
300 PPI is the standard safe target for photo-quality print viewed at a normal distance. Large posters viewed from across a room can look acceptable well below that, closer to 150-200 PPI, since viewing distance matters as much as density.
Is DPI the same as PPI?
Not strictly — DPI (dots per inch) technically describes a printer's physical output, PPI (pixels per inch) describes a digital image's pixel density — but the two terms get used interchangeably in everyday conversation, and the formula is identical either way.
My image is short a few pixels. Should I just resize it up?
Resizing up changes the pixel count but invents the missing detail rather than recovering it, producing a softer result, not a sharper one. It can be an acceptable compromise for a small shortfall, but it is not a substitute for having captured the photo at a high enough resolution to begin with.
Does this account for image bleed or printer margins?
No, this calculates the pixels needed for the stated print size exactly. Commercial printing often adds a small bleed margin (commonly an extra 1/8 inch per side) beyond the trim size — check with your specific printer whether bleed is required and add it to the inches before calculating.

Want the full explanation behind the formula, including why upscaling doesn't fix a shortfall? Read DPI, PPI, and print size explained. Once you know your target pixel dimensions, use Resize Image or Crop Image to match them.