How Big Can I Print My Picture?
How big you can print your digital picture depends on the number of "pixels" in your digital picture file. Pixels are the "dots" of color that make up your digital picture. The greater the number of pixels, the bigger you can print your image with quality results.
How big you can print your digital picture depends on the number of "pixels" in your digital picture file. Pixels are the "dots" of color that make up your digital picture. The greater the number of pixels, the bigger you can print your image with quality results.
Print Size Calculator
Enter the pixel dimensions of your digital image below.
Great: Fantastic quality print, full of detail and perfect for showing off your very best shots.
Good: This will be fine for most uses, unless you get up real close.
Fair: Looks reasonable enough, but nowhere near photo quality.
Finding the Pixel Dimensions of a Digital Picture
You can find the pixel dimensions of your digital picture by opening it in your favorite image viewer program and then finding the image properties in your program's menu structure. Alternately, you can also find your dimensions in these ways:
MAC: Right-click on the image and the information to view the image dimensions.
Windows 10: right click on the image, choose Properties, then click the "Summary" tab to view the image dimensions.
Determining Print Viewing Distance
Viewing Distance = 1.5 x Diagonal of the Print
Below are the viewing distances for common large format print sizes, with normal lighting, with the resolution needed for a print with acceptable quality.
If the viewing distance is expected to be closer than the figures below, or if the viewing conditions are optimal, then you may need higher resolutions.
Viewing Distance Chart
Print Size
16 x 20" 16 x 24" 20 x 30" 40 x 60" |
Diagonal
25.61" 28.84" 36.06" 72.11" |
Viewing Distance(1.5 x Diagonal)
38" (3'17") 43" 54" (4'5") 108" (9') |