Choose the size for the job
This size offers a straightforward comparison between print shape and image shape. An uncropped 4:3 photograph can fill it exactly. If you are working from a screenshot or a previously cropped copy, inspect its actual pixel dimensions instead of assuming it still has that ratio.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Inches | 6 × 8 |
| Centimetres | 15.24 × 20.32 |
| Millimetres | 152.4 × 203.2 |
| Short-edge-to-long-edge ratio | 3:4 |
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 | 900 × 1,200 |
| 240 | 1,440 × 1,920 |
| 300 | 1,800 × 2,400 |
A worked example
A 4000 × 3000 landscape image placed at 8 × 6 inches produces 500 PPI with every pixel retained. Enlarging that same image to 16 × 12 inches leaves the composition unchanged and halves the effective resolution to 250 PPI. The difference is physical scale, not a new crop.
Before you print
A 6 × 8 image needs room around it if your printer cannot reach the paper edge. A sheet exactly 6 × 8 inches does not automatically provide a printable area of that size. For borders, select a larger sheet and keep the photo rectangle at its intended dimensions.