| Print size | Aspect ratio | Pixels at 300 DPI | Min. megapixels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in | 3:2 | 1200 × 1800 | 2.2 MP |
| 5 × 7 in | 7:5 | 1500 × 2100 | 3.2 MP |
| 8 × 10 in | 4:5 | 2400 × 3000 | 7.2 MP |
| 8.5 × 11 in | — | 2550 × 3300 | 8.4 MP |
| 11 × 14 in | — | 3300 × 4200 | 13.9 MP |
| 16 × 20 in | 4:5 | 4800 × 6000 | 28.8 MP |
| 20 × 30 in | 3:2 | 6000 × 9000 | 54 MP |
| 24 × 36 in | 3:2 | 7200 × 10800 | 77.8 MP |
| 40 × 60 in | 3:2 | 12000 × 18000 | 216 MP |
| Placement | Pixels | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram square | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 |
| Instagram portrait | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 |
| Instagram / TikTok story | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Facebook / X landscape | 1200 × 630 | 1.91:1 |
| Pinterest pin | 1000 × 1500 | 2:3 |
| YouTube thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 |
| Website hero | 1920 × 1080 | 16:9 |
Inches = pixels ÷ DPI. A 3000px-wide file at 300 DPI prints 10 inches wide. To reverse it, pixels = inches × DPI: a sharp 8×10 at 300 DPI needs 2400 × 3000 pixels.
It depends on the print size, because 300 DPI means 300 pixels per inch. 4×6 = 1200×1800, 5×7 = 1500×2100, 8×10 = 2400×3000, 11×14 = 3300×4200. Multiply each inch dimension by 300.
A 24 MP file (≈6000×4000) prints about 20×13 in at 300 DPI, 25×17 in at 240, and roughly 40×27 in at 150 DPI for wall art viewed from a distance.
PPI describes the image (pixels per printed inch); DPI describes the printer (ink dots per inch). In photo printing they are used interchangeably. Hit ~300 PPI at your print size and it looks sharp.
It follows viewing distance. In-hand prints want 240–300; framed wall art at three feet looks sharp at 150–180; banners and billboards can drop to 100 or lower.