A high-quality photo print needs enough real pixels for both the physical size and the target resolution. An 8×10 inch print at 300 DPI needs 2,400 × 3,000 pixels, but resolution is only half the story: print sizes also use different aspect ratios, which is why a photo that fits 4×6 perfectly may be cropped when ordered as 8×10.
| Photo print | Aspect ratio | 150 DPI (px) | 300 DPI (px) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in | 3:2 | 600 × 900 | 1,200 × 1,800 |
| 5 × 7 in | 7:5 | 750 × 1,050 | 1,500 × 2,100 |
| 8 × 10 in | 5:4 | 1,200 × 1,500 | 2,400 × 3,000 |
| 8 × 12 in | 3:2 | 1,200 × 1,800 | 2,400 × 3,600 |
| 10 × 10 in | 1:1 | 1,500 × 1,500 | 3,000 × 3,000 |
| 11 × 14 in | 14:11 | 1,650 × 2,100 | 3,300 × 4,200 |
| 12 × 18 in | 3:2 | 1,800 × 2,700 | 3,600 × 5,400 |
| 16 × 20 in | 5:4 | 2,400 × 3,000 | 4,800 × 6,000 |
| Print size | Shape | Crop guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in | 3:2 | Matches the native ratio of many cameras |
| 5 × 7 in | 7:5 | Usually needs a small crop from 3:2 |
| 8 × 10 in | 5:4 | Noticeable crop from 3:2 originals |
| 8 × 12 in | 3:2 | Matches many camera originals |
| 10 × 10 in | 1:1 | Square crop |
| 11 × 14 in | 14:11 | Requires crop from most camera ratios |
| 12 × 18 in | 3:2 | Matches many camera originals |
| 16 × 20 in | 5:4 | Same crop shape as 8×10 |
Pixel count cannot fix an aspect-ratio mismatch. If the original image is 3:2 and you order an 8×10 (5:4), part of the long edge must be cropped unless the print service adds borders. This is why checking the ratio before resizing is just as important as checking the DPI.
Enter your photo's pixel dimensions below and choose a DPI. The calculator returns the physical print size those pixels support without inventing any new detail.
Need the image's real pixel dimensions first? Inspect it locally in your browser.
Check Image DPI & Pixels| Resolution | 8×10 width | 8×10 height |
|---|---|---|
| 150 DPI | 1,200 | 1,500 |
| 200 DPI | 1,600 | 2,000 |
| 240 DPI | 1,920 | 2,400 |
| 300 DPI | 2,400 | 3,000 |
| 600 DPI | 4,800 | 6,000 |
300 DPI is a reliable target for close-viewed photo prints. 240 DPI can still produce excellent results in many workflows, while 150–200 DPI is more tolerant when the source image is smaller. 600 DPI is rarely necessary for ordinary photographic prints and dramatically increases the required pixel count.
This page intentionally focuses on common photo-lab sizes and their crop behavior. Large wall formats have a different viewing-distance tradeoff and often do not need 300 DPI. For 18×24, 20×30, 24×36, 27×40, A2, A1, and A0, use the Poster Sizes in Pixels guide instead.
At 300 DPI, a 4×6 inch photo needs 1,200 × 1,800 pixels. At 150 DPI, it needs 600 × 900 pixels.
2,400 × 3,000 pixels gives an 8×10 inch print at 300 DPI. The 8×10 format is 5:4, so a 3:2 camera image will also need cropping unless extra canvas is added.
Different print sizes use different aspect ratios. A 4×6 print is 3:2 while an 8×10 is 5:4, so the same photo cannot fill both shapes without cropping or adding borders.
300 DPI is a strong standard for photo prints viewed up close. Lower effective resolutions can still look good, especially for larger prints or when the source file does not contain enough pixels.
You can print smaller, accept a lower effective DPI, or use a higher-resolution original. Upscaling can increase pixel count but cannot recreate detail that was never captured.
Use the Poster Sizes in Pixels guide for 18×24, 20×30, 24×36, 27×40, and A-series poster dimensions at multiple DPI targets.
