Choose the file you intend to use
Open the local file in PrintLilt and read the displayed pixel dimensions. The file picker grants access to the selected file for this task; PrintLilt does not need an account or a photo upload. The image is decoded in the browser to determine the dimensions used for the preview.
A filename is not reliable evidence of resolution or format. A name containing “original” can still identify a reduced export, and changing an extension does not convert the file. Use the decoded result rather than a label or an assumption about where the image came from.
Read width and height in the displayed orientation
Some photographs include orientation information that tells software how to display the stored image. A quarter-turn changes which edge is treated as width. The correctly oriented portrait preview should therefore be interpreted using its portrait dimensions.
Compare a recognisable feature, such as the horizon or an upright face, with the preview. Do not apply an extra rotation merely because another application reports the stored edge order. The goal is to align the actual scene, the displayed dimensions, and the chosen frame.
Compare copies with arithmetic
Suppose the original is 6000 × 4000 pixels, while a shared copy is 1500 × 1000. Both have a 3:2 shape. At 6 × 4 inches, the original gives 1000 PPI and the smaller copy gives 250 PPI. The matching shape does not make the copies equivalent.
A screenshot may also include borders, interface elements, or a resized view. Its dimensions describe the screenshot, not the original photograph that appeared on the screen. If you can access the source image, use it for the crop and print calculation.
Use manual entry when the source is unavailable
You can enter pixel dimensions directly to compare sizes without opening a photo. A 6000 × 4000 entry at 300 PPI gives 20 × 13⅓ inches. This is a valid calculation from the supplied numbers, but it does not verify that a particular file has those dimensions.
Manual mode cannot show whether a face will be cropped, inspect focus, or export a real image. Treat it as planning. Recheck with the file before making a composition-sensitive print or assuming that the source is available for restoration.
When the file cannot be read
PrintLilt accepts static JPEG, PNG, and WebP within its stated limits. A damaged file, mismatched declared type, animated input, or oversized image can be rejected. The limit message is about safe processing, not a judgment about the quality of the photograph.
Keep the original and use a separate supported export if needed. Do not repeatedly rename the file or assume that a smaller file size in bytes proves lower pixel dimensions. Compression affects byte size, while the decoded grid determines the dimensions used for print planning.