How many megapixels do I need for a poster print?

A 24x36-inch poster viewed from a typical 5-6 feet away needs only around 9-19 megapixels at a realistic viewing-distance pixel density — dramatically less than the roughly 78 megapixels a strict close-viewing 300 DPI target would demand, because posters are meant to be seen from across a room, not examined a few inches from your face.

Why the Requirement Drops So Much at Poster Distance

At a realistic poster-viewing distance of roughly 5-6 feet (66 inches), the visual-acuity-based target works out to about 52 PPI — a 24x36-inch print at that density needs roughly 2,400 by 3,600 pixels, comfortably under 9 megapixels. Even applying a more generous 150 PPI target for a closer, more scrutinized viewing distance still only requires roughly 19 megapixels, well within what nearly any current camera captures.

When You'd Actually Need Closer to 78 Megapixels

The full 300 DPI figure only matters if the poster will genuinely be examined up close — a gallery print meant for close inspection, or a poster displayed somewhere viewers routinely stand within a foot or two of it. For a typical wall poster, hallway print or event signage viewed from a normal standing distance, targeting the poster's actual viewing distance rather than a blanket 300 DPI assumption avoids unnecessarily worrying about resolution that was never going to matter.

Compute the exact figure for your specific poster size and viewing distance in the Print Size / DPI Calculator, pre-filled at a gallery-wall viewing distance.