Question
What resolution do I need to print an image?
About 300 pixels per inch at the final print size for prints seen up close. Multiply each side in inches by 300: an 8 x 10 inch print needs about 2400 x 3000 pixels. Posters seen from a distance can use less; ask your printer.
The 300 pixels per inch figure is the common target for photo prints and printed marketing; Adobe's Photoshop help recommends it for the best print quality unless your printer specifies another value.
Pixels per inch is only meaningful at a given print size. The same 3000 pixel wide image is 10 inches wide at 300 pixels per inch and 20 inches wide at 150.
If your image is smaller than the table suggests, you can print it smaller, accept a softer print at a viewing distance, or enlarge it with an upscaler and check the result closely.
| Print size (inches) | Pixels at 300 per inch |
|---|---|
| 4 x 6 | 1200 x 1800 |
| 5 x 7 | 1500 x 2100 |
| 8 x 10 | 2400 x 3000 |
| 11 x 14 | 3300 x 4200 |
| 18 x 24 | 5400 x 7200 |
Source: Adobe Photoshop Help, change print dimensions and resolution (300 PPI guidance), checked October 20, 2026. Pixel figures are the arithmetic of size x 300.
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Last reviewed October 20, 2026 by ImageQuarry
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