Choose the size for the job
Compare a full-image view with an actual-scale detail before enlarging a small square export. If you still have the rectangular original, rebuild the square crop from that file to avoid unnecessarily relying on a reduced copy.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Inches | 12 × 12 |
| Centimetres | 30.48 × 30.48 |
| Millimetres | 304.8 × 304.8 |
| Short-edge-to-long-edge ratio | 1:1 |
Pixel examples
These examples multiply each edge in inches by the stated PPI. They describe pixel counts for the chosen size, not a universal pass or fail rule for appearance. Use the retained pixels after cropping when checking an existing photo.
| Example PPI | Pixels |
|---|---|
| 150 | 1,800 × 1,800 |
| 240 | 2,880 × 2,880 |
| 300 | 3,600 × 3,600 |
A worked example
A 4000 × 4000 retained square prints at about 333.33 PPI at 12 × 12 inches. At 16 × 16, the same pixels give 250 PPI. If the square comes from a 6000 × 4000 landscape source, the crop removes 2000 pixels of width and one-third of the original area.
Before you print
A3 is only 297 mm wide in portrait, 7.8 mm less than this square. On A2, a centred 304.8 mm square leaves 57.6 mm at the sides and 144.6 mm at the top and bottom. The preview’s screen size is unrelated to these physical measurements.