How to check whether an image is big enough to print
Find the pixel size, divide by the dpi you need, and you have the largest print that will look sharp. Where to find the pixel size on any device, the table for common sizes, and how to check a photo already placed in a design.
Beginner2 min readUpdated 27 September 2026Editor · Image size, status bar
Find the pixel size
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Windows | Right-click the file, Properties, Details tab: Dimensions. |
| Mac | Select the file in Finder, File, Get Info, More Info: Dimensions. Or open it in Preview, Tools, Show Inspector. |
| iPhone | Photos, open the image, swipe up or tap the info button: the pixel size shows under the camera details. |
| Android | Gallery or Photos, open the image, Details or swipe up. |
| Voidcanvas Editor | Open the image on its own with Ctrl+O. The status bar at the bottom shows W × H px. Images over 4096 px on the long side are scaled to 4096 on import, so check very large files in the file details instead. |
What it will print at
| Needs at 300 dpi | Needs at 150 dpi | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 4 in photo | 1800 × 1200 px | not recommended up close |
| A5 flyer | 1748 × 2480 px | not recommended up close |
| A4 | 2480 × 3508 px | 1240 × 1754 px |
| A3 | 3508 × 4961 px | 1754 × 2480 px |
| A2 poster | 4961 × 7016 px | 2480 × 3508 px |
| 18 × 24 in poster | 5400 × 7200 px | 2700 × 3600 px |
The photo only needs to fill the part of the page it covers. A photo filling half an A4 page needs half of A4's pixels in that direction.
A photo already placed in a design
- Select the photo layer. In Properties, the Position section shows its W and H in document pixels.
- Compare W with the photo's own width from the table above. If W is larger, the photo has been enlarged; the ratio is how much.
- Up to about 1.2× is invisible in print; 1.5× is fine on a poster seen from a distance; 2× or more shows at arm's length.
- Press Ctrl+1 for 100 per cent and look at an edge. What you see there is roughly what 300 dpi ink shows.
My photo says 72 dpi. Is it too low for print?
The number alone means nothing. Check the pixels: a 4000 px wide photo at 72 dpi is the same image as one labelled 300 dpi, and prints sharp up to about 13 in wide.
Why is the photo smaller in the Editor than on my computer?
Imports are capped at 4096 px on the long side. For the true size of a very large photo, read it from the file details.
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