How Big Can I Print My Photo? Megapixels to Print Size Chart
A chart from 8 to 61 megapixels showing the biggest sharp print at 300, 240 and 150 DPI.
By Chris Bezuidenhout · · 5 min read
Megapixels tell you how many pixels a photo has in total, and that decides how big you can print it before it looks soft. Below is a chart for common cameras and phones, plus what to watch out for when you crop.
How to work it out
Divide the pixel width and height by the resolution you want:
largest print (cm) = pixels ÷ PPI × 2.54
A 24 megapixel camera makes 6000 × 4000 pixel photos. At 300 PPI that is 6000 ÷ 300 = 20 inches by 4000 ÷ 300 = 13.3 inches.
Megapixels to print size chart
Pixel sizes are typical for each megapixel count. Phones usually shoot in a 4:3 shape and most cameras in 3:2. Check your own photo’s pixel size to be exact.
| Megapixels | Typical pixels | 300 PPI close up | 240 PPI wall prints | 150 PPI posters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 MP (phone) | 3264 × 2448 | 10.9 × 8.2 in 28 × 21 cm | 13.6 × 10.2 in 35 × 26 cm | 21.8 × 16.3 in 55 × 41 cm |
| 12 MP (phone) | 4032 × 3024 | 13.4 × 10.1 in 34 × 26 cm | 16.8 × 12.6 in 43 × 32 cm | 26.9 × 20.2 in 68 × 51 cm |
| 16 MP | 4928 × 3264 | 16.4 × 10.9 in 42 × 28 cm | 20.5 × 13.6 in 52 × 35 cm | 32.9 × 21.8 in 83 × 55 cm |
| 20 MP | 5472 × 3648 | 18.2 × 12.2 in 46 × 31 cm | 22.8 × 15.2 in 58 × 39 cm | 36.5 × 24.3 in 93 × 62 cm |
| 24 MP | 6000 × 4000 | 20.0 × 13.3 in 51 × 34 cm | 25.0 × 16.7 in 64 × 42 cm | 40.0 × 26.7 in 102 × 68 cm |
| 33 MP | 7008 × 4672 | 23.4 × 15.6 in 59 × 40 cm | 29.2 × 19.5 in 74 × 49 cm | 46.7 × 31.1 in 119 × 79 cm |
| 45 MP | 8256 × 5504 | 27.5 × 18.3 in 70 × 47 cm | 34.4 × 22.9 in 87 × 58 cm | 55.0 × 36.7 in 140 × 93 cm |
| 48 MP (phone, full size) | 8064 × 6048 | 26.9 × 20.2 in 68 × 51 cm | 33.6 × 25.2 in 85 × 64 cm | 53.8 × 40.3 in 137 × 102 cm |
| 61 MP | 9504 × 6336 | 31.7 × 21.1 in 80 × 54 cm | 39.6 × 26.4 in 101 × 67 cm | 63.4 × 42.2 in 161 × 107 cm |
Not sure which column to use? 300 PPI is for anything held in the hand, 240 suits framed prints on a wall, and 150 is fine for big posters seen from across a room. Why viewing distance matters.
A note on phone cameras
Many phones advertise a 48 or 50 megapixel camera but save 12 or 24 megapixel photos by default. They combine neighbouring sensor pixels to cut noise. If you want the full-size file, look for a “high resolution”, “48MP” or RAW setting in the camera app. Always check the pixel size of the actual file rather than the number on the box.
Cropping costs more than you think
Cropping throws pixels away. Crop half the width and half the height and you keep only a quarter of the megapixels. A 24 MP photo cropped that way becomes a 6 MP photo, good for about 10 × 6.7 inches at 300 PPI instead of 20 × 13.3.
Shape matters too. Camera photos are 3:2, but an 8 × 10 frame is 4:5. To fit, you crop away part of the long side, which lowers the largest size you can print. Work out the size from the cropped image, not the original.
Pixels aren’t everything
A blurry, noisy or heavily compressed photo won’t become sharp just because it has lots of pixels. Before ordering a big print, zoom in to 100% on screen. If it looks soft or blocky there, it will look the same on paper, only bigger.
If your photo is too small
- Choose a smaller print size, or a lower PPI if it will hang on a wall.
- Use the original file. Photos sent through messaging apps or downloaded from social media are usually shrunk.
- Try AI upscaling for up to 4× the size. See Can AI upscaling fix a low-resolution image?
Check your image before you print
Upload a file, pick a print size and PrintCheck tells you in seconds if it will print sharp, needs upscaling, or is too small. Free, no sign-up, and your image is deleted straight after the check.
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