Free tool
DTF DPI calculator
See the real DPI of your image at the size you'll print it, whether it will print sharp, and how many pixels you need for 300 DPI. Type the size or drop in the file — nothing is uploaded.
Your image
Type the size in pixels, or drop in the file to measure it.
Or drop a PNG, JPG or WebP here. It stays on your device.
Print width
Effective resolution
273 DPI
Good
3000 px across 11″ · prints 11″ tall
Good
Hard to tell from 300 DPI at arm’s length. Fine for almost every DTF design.
- Needed for 300 DPI at 11″
- 3300 × 3300 px
- Largest print from this image
- 10″ at 300 · 20″ at 150
| DPI | Quality | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeve 3″ | 1000 | Ideal |
| Left chest 4″ | 750 | Ideal |
| Youth front 9″ | 333 | Ideal |
| Adult front 11″ | 273 | Good |
| Oversize back 13″ | 231 | Good |
| Full back 15″ | 200 | Good |
Have the file? The free DTF file checker checks the DPI along with the background, haze and edges.
Pixels needed at common DTF sizes
The width of the artwork you need for a sharp print, at 300 DPI (ideal) and 150 DPI (the minimum).
| 300 DPI | 150 DPI minimum | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeve, 3″ wide | 900 px | 450 px |
| Left chest, 4″ wide | 1200 px | 600 px |
| Youth front, 9″ wide | 2700 px | 1350 px |
| Adult front, 11″ wide | 3300 px | 1650 px |
| Oversize back, 13″ wide | 3900 px | 1950 px |
| Full back, 15″ wide | 4500 px | 2250 px |
Why the DPI in the file doesn’t matter, and what does: 300 DPI explained.
Questions
- How do I work out the DPI of an image?
- Divide the width of the artwork in pixels by the width you'll print it in inches. 3000 pixels printed 10 inches wide is 300 DPI; the same file at 15 inches is 200 DPI.
- What DPI do I need for DTF?
- 300 DPI at the final print size is ideal. 200 DPI is good for almost every design and hard to tell apart at arm's length. 150 DPI is the practical minimum; below that, edges and text look soft.
- My file says 72 DPI. Is it too low?
- Not necessarily. The DPI stored in the file is just a label and doesn't change the pixels. What matters is pixels divided by print width, which is what this calculator works out.
- Why does dropping in a file give a smaller size than the file?
- The calculator measures the artwork, not the empty transparent space around it, because only the artwork prints. If your design sits in a big empty canvas, its real DPI is lower than the file size suggests.
- Can I just resize my image up to 300 DPI?
- Resizing up adds pixels but not detail, so you get a bigger blurry file. Find the original, print smaller, vectorize logos and text, or have the design redrawn at the size you need.
- Is my file uploaded?
- No. A dropped file is measured on your own device. Nothing is sent to our servers.
Check the whole file with the free DTF file checker, find lines too thin for white ink with the white ink checker, or browse all free tools.