Paper dimensions are often thought of in terms of inches or millimeters. However, paper dimensions can also be in pixels.
A standard sheet of paper is 8½ x 11 inches, 216 x 279 mm, and 2550 x 3300 pixels. Or 8,415,000 px in total, assuming a high resolution of 300 pixels per inch (ppi).
The number of pixels is calculated by taking the resolution and multiplying it by the dimensions. So 300 pixels per inch multiplied by 8½ inches equals 2550 pixels for the width. Then 300 ppi multiplied by 11 inches equals 3300 pixels for the height.
If you’re creating images using pixels instead of inches or millimeters. Then 2550 x 3300 px will print perfectly on a letter size of paper.
Other standard paper sizes an resolutions are listed here:
| Paper | Size | 300 ppi | 150 ppi | 75 ppi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8½ x 11 | 2550 x 3300 | 1275 x 1650 | 638 x 825 |
| Tabloid | 11 x 17 | 3300 x 5100 | 1650 x 2550 | 825 x 1275 |
| Super B | 13 x 19 | 3900 x 5700 | 1950 x 2850 | 975 x 1425 |
| A4 | 8.3 x 11.7 | 2490 x 3510 | 1240 x 1754 | 595 x 842 |
| A3 | 11.7 x 16.5 | 3510 x 4950 | 1755 x 2475 | 878 x 1238 |
| 4 x 6 photo | 4 x 6 | 1200 x 1800 | 600 x 900 | 300 x 450 |
| 5 x 7 photo | 5 x 7 | 1500 x 2100 | 750 x 1050 | 375 x 525 |
Ideal Print Resolution
Images printed at 300 ppi are an ideal print resolution. Increasing an images ppi will make it blurry. Unless you create an image at a higher resolution such as 600 ppi.
From the images I’ve seen only highly detailed images benefit from the higher resolution. It will unnecessarily increase file size and print times for many images.
Printers print in dots per inch (DPI) which can vary in size. So there isn’t an exact correlation between pixels and dpi. Yet, 300 ppi offers a high quality for images. 600ppi is good for extremely detailed graphics.
The hardware I’ve seen in printers is capable of up to 1200dpi. Any higher resolution is interpolated. In my experience most printers default to 600 dpi.
Based on the prints I’ve seen, leaving an images resolution as is but selecting 600 dpi in the printer driver has the best results. Or 1200 dpi if your printer is capable.
In my experience printer drivers do a better job at managing any discrepancies between the image and printers resolution than an app.
Summary
If you’re creating an image for printing and don’t want to use inches or millimeters, then you can use pixels for size. 300ppi has the best print quality. At that resolution a standard sheet of letter paper is 2550 x 3300 pixels. A standard sheet of A4 paper is 2490 x 3510 pixels.
FAQ
Letter paper (8.5 x 11 in) is 2550 x 3300 pixels.
A standard sheet 8½ x 11 inch letter paper is 2550 x 3300 pixels at 300ppi. While a standard sheet of A4 paper is 2490 x 3510 pixels at 300ppi.
A 12 x 18 in frame is 3600 x 5400 pixels.
Printing on letter size is 2550 x 3300 pixels. While A4 is 2490 x 3510.
The Copier Guy, aka Dave. I’ve worked on scanners, printers, copiers, and faxes since 1994. When I’m not fixing them I’m writing about them. Although, I’m probably better at fixing them. I’ve worked with every major brand. As well as several types of processes. If it uses paper I’ve probably worked on one.
