Poster DPI and Viewing Distance
Arm’s-length reading needs more dots than a sofa-wall movie poster — match DPI to how close people stand.
Check File on UploadQuick answer: DPI (dots per inch) is print sharpness. Close viewing and small text want ~300 DPI. A1–A0 wall posters viewed from 6–10 feet often look clean at 150–200 DPI. Multiply each side in inches by your target DPI to get pixels. PrintPosters flags soft files on upload.
A phone screen hides missing pixels; a poster on the wall does not — but distance forgives more than people expect. Hold an A4 menu at 40 cm and 150 DPI looks soft. Hang A0 across a living room and the same file can look acceptable because nobody inspects it at nose distance. The practical rule: stay near 300 DPI for A4–A3, type-heavy conference sheets, and anything framed at a desk. Drop toward 200 DPI for 18×24 and A2 photography. Large décor at A1, 24×36, or A0 can work at 150 DPI if the original is a clean camera file, not a WhatsApp forward. Our checker compares your pixels to the size you picked so you can step down before you pay.
Typical viewing distance and DPI
| How it is viewed | Distance | Target DPI |
|---|---|---|
| Held or desk (A4) | 30–50 cm | 300 |
| Bedroom / side table (A3) | 1–1.5 m | 200–300 |
| Sofa wall (A1 / 24×36) | 2–3 m | 150–200 |
| Lobby or retail (A0) | 3–5 m | 120–150 |
Check DPI before you order
Measure the print
Note width and height in inches for the size you will order.
Count pixels
In the file properties, divide pixel width by print width. That is effective DPI.
Upload anyway
Our preview warns if the file is soft for that size so you can pick a smaller sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 72 DPI ever OK for a poster?
Only for very large sheets viewed from several metres. For home walls and readable type, start at 150 DPI and prefer 300 DPI when the file allows.
Why does my 12 MP phone photo fail A0 at 300 DPI?
A 4000×3000 phone file is about 13×10 in at 300 DPI. At A0 (33×47 in) that drops near 90 DPI — fine from a hallway, soft if guests stand close.
Does 12-colour HD add missing pixels?
No. Extra inks improve colour and gradients. They cannot invent facial detail that was never in the file.
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