02 / Print math
Pixels to paper.
Choose the PPI your printer or lab asks for. Work out physical size, or start with a print size and calculate the minimum pixels.
Choose your starting point
Pixels: whole numbers up to 100,000 per edge. PPI: 1–2400. Physical dimensions: 0.01–1000 in or cm. These are calculation limits, not quality recommendations.
Your dimensions
The calculation
1 inch = 2.54 cm. The calculation assumes you keep the entire image and its aspect ratio.
The numbers have a context.
PPI is a density choice.
The same 3000 × 2000 file makes a 10 × 6.67 inch print at 300 PPI, or a 20 × 13.33 inch print at 150 PPI. The second print spreads the same pixels over more paper.
Paper shape matters.
A 3:2 image does not fill a 4:5 frame without a crop or borders. This calculator does not crop your image. Check your print service’s preview and sizing options before ordering.