What size can I print my photograph?

It depends on the resolution of the image. If the photo has a low number of pixels, it will appear pixelated or blurry when printed.

Large prints look stunning, for example on canvas. Many images can be printed almost the width of an entire wall.

To achieve good print quality, a resolution of 60 pixels per centimeter is recommended, which corresponds to about 150 dpi (dots per inch). However, often good prints can be obtained with just 25 pixels per centimeter (approximately 63 dpi).

What print size does my camera allow?

"If the camera has 24 megapixels (equivalent to around 6000 x 4000 pixels) and you want to achieve the highest sharpness in printing the photo, you need a resolution of 60 pixels per centimeter or higher, that is, a resolution of 60 ppcm. In this case, you only need to divide 6000 and 4000 by 60, and you will get the width and height of the printed image: 100 x 66.6 centimeters. This is the maximum size that can be printed to achieve maximum print quality.

Since the maximum quality of 60 pixels per centimeter is not always available, there is no need to worry, as good prints can also be obtained with 25 pixels per centimeter, especially at a greater viewing distance. For an image of 6000 x 4000 pixels, both values should be divided by 25 (6000:25 = 240 and 4000:25 = 160), and you will have the possible print size: a huge 240 x 160 centimeters.

Centimeters and inches (inch)

Here we are talking about centimeters. However, inches are also commonly used as a unit of measurement in image editing. Therefore, let us clarify: one inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. The optimal image quality of 60 pixels per centimeter corresponds to approximately 152 pixels per inch (ppi). However, good photographic prints can be obtained with a print resolution of 25 pixels per centimeter, which is equivalent to about 63 pixels per inch (ppi) or 63 dpi.

In summary: How many megapixels do I need to print well?

Current cameras offer a wide range of megapixel numbers: from 12 to 50 megapixels and beyond. Our table lists the possible print sizes (approximate) for typical megapixel ranges in 3:2 and 4:3 aspect ratios, with optimal and good print quality."

What happens if the image resolution in my file is too low?

If the image file has too few pixels for the intended print dimensions, it's evident that the image file has a low resolution, which may result in the printing service rejecting the file. In this case, it is recommended to print the image at a smaller size. If necessary, the image can be enlarged, although this won't add any additional detail to the photograph. By doing so, you can avoid the file being rejected by the printing service.