How the calculator works
For a print-size estimate, divide each pixel dimension by the target PPI. To find required pixels, multiply the physical print dimensions by PPI. The result is a planning estimate, not an image edit.
Example: an 8 × 10 inch print
At 300 PPI, an 8 × 10 inch print needs 2400 × 3000 pixels. A 3000 × 2400 image has a 5:4 landscape ratio, so it does not match an 8 × 10 portrait print without rotating or cropping.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing DPI add image detail?
No. Changing a metadata resolution value alone does not create pixels or restore detail. Resampling changes pixel dimensions, but cannot recover detail that was never captured.
Is 300 PPI always required?
No. It is a common target for close-viewed photo prints. Larger prints viewed from farther away can work at lower pixel density.
Why is PPI different from printer DPI?
PPI describes image pixels placed across an inch of the print. A printer may use multiple ink dots to reproduce each image pixel.