Banner Size Calculator - Print Pixel Dimensions
Calculate the required pixel dimensions for a banner artwork file from its physical size and target print resolution (DPI).
Required Pixel Dimensions
18,000 × 5,400 px
Estimated File Size
~13.9 MB – 83.4 MB (compressed)
Uncompressed (raw): ~278.1 MB
How Banner Pixel Size Is Calculated
Enter your desired physical banner size and a target print resolution (DPI — dots per inch), and this calculator tells you the pixel dimensions your artwork file needs to be for a sharp, non-pixelated print at that size.
Pixel Height = Physical Height (in inches) × DPI
Large-format banners viewed from a distance (billboards, event backdrops) often use a lower DPI like 100, since fine detail isn't as noticeable from far away. Banners viewed up close, or with fine text and detail, generally look best at 150-300 DPI.
Example
A 10 ft × 3 ft banner (120 in × 36 in) printed at 150 DPI needs artwork that's 120 × 150 = 18,000 pixels wide by 36 × 150 = 5,400 pixels tall.
Common Use Cases
- Setting up a design file at the correct pixel dimensions before sending it to a print shop.
- Checking whether an existing image has enough resolution for a target banner size.
- Deciding how much DPI you actually need for a viewing-distance-appropriate print.
FAQs
What DPI should I use for a large banner?
For banners viewed from a distance of several feet or more (trade show backdrops, billboards), 100 DPI is often sufficient and keeps file sizes manageable. For banners viewed up close or with small text, 150-300 DPI gives a sharper result.
How accurate is the estimated file size?
The file size shown is a rough range only. The uncompressed figure assumes an uncompressed 24-bit RGB bitmap; real design files (PDF, TIFF, PSD, compressed JPEG/PNG) vary enormously based on compression, color depth, layers, and content complexity — use this as a ballpark planning figure, not an exact prediction.
Do I need to convert my physical size to inches first?
No — enter your width and height in feet, inches, meters, or centimeters and pick the matching unit; the calculator converts to inches internally before applying the DPI.