Signature tool / 02
Resolution / DPI Calculator
The most over-asked question in print: is my image big enough? It depends on one thing people forget, the viewing distance. Enter the print size, slide to the closest realistic viewer, and get the honest pixel requirement.
Judge by the closest a viewer will actually stand, not the average.
Your numbers will appear here
Enter the size, set the distance and choose Calculate resolution.
| Viewing distance | Convention | Typical jobs |
|---|---|---|
| In the hand (under 0.5 m) | 300 ppi | Business cards, flyers, brochures |
| Close viewing (0.5 to 1.5 m) | 150 ppi | Posters, shop displays |
| Room distance (1.5 to 4 m) | 100 ppi | Exhibition panels, wall graphics |
| Street distance (4 to 10 m) | 50 ppi | Shop fascias, large banners |
| Far viewing (10 m and beyond) | 25 ppi | Building wraps, billboards |
Sources
- Visual acuity based resolution rule (about 1 arcminute, ppi = 3438 / viewing distance in inches) Standard optics convention used across prepress guidesWhy 300 ppi matters in the hand but a billboard is sharp at 25.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-16