Megapixel Calculator
Calculate megapixels (MP) from image resolution, or find required resolution for a target MP count.
Megapixels
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MP
Total Pixels:
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Aspect Ratio:
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Print Size @ 300 DPI:
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Screen Size @ 96 DPI:
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Common Resolutions & Megapixels
Understanding Megapixels
What is a Megapixel?
A megapixel (MP) is 1 million pixels. It's calculated by multiplying image width × height, then dividing by 1,000,000.
Formula: MP = (Width × Height) ÷ 1,000,000
Example: 1920 × 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels = 2.07 MP
Do More Megapixels Mean Better Quality?
Not always. Image quality depends on:
- Sensor size: A 12MP full-frame camera beats a 48MP phone camera in low light.
- Lens quality: A sharp lens with fewer MP > blurry lens with more MP.
- Use case: 2MP is enough for web. 12MP is great for prints up to 16×20". 48MP is for cropping or billboard-size prints.
How Many Megapixels Do You Need?
- Web/Social Media: 1-2 MP (1920×1080 is plenty for Instagram, Facebook)
- Standard Prints (8×10"): 6-8 MP minimum at 300 DPI
- Large Prints (16×20"): 12-16 MP
- Professional/Commercial: 24+ MP for maximum flexibility
- Cropping: Higher MP gives more room to crop without losing detail
Megapixels vs. File Size
More megapixels = larger file sizes. A 12MP photo can be 3-6 MB (JPEG) or 30+ MB (RAW). A 48MP photo can be 15-25 MB (JPEG) or 80+ MB (RAW).
Display Megapixels
- Full HD TV: 2.07 MP — Any image over 2MP won't show extra detail
- 4K TV: 8.29 MP — Still less than most phone cameras
- 8K TV: 33.18 MP — Few cameras shoot this high natively