How far should I view a print from?

A comfortable viewing distance is typically 1.5x the print diagonal. For a 60x40cm print (72cm diagonal), that is about 108cm (just over 1 metre). From this distance, the print fills a comfortable portion of your field of vision and fine details are visible.

At what distance do pixels become invisible?

The human eye resolves about 1 arcminute (1/60 of a degree). At 300 DPI, pixels become invisible at about 29cm (normal reading distance). At 150 DPI, pixels disappear at about 58cm. At 72 DPI (screen resolution), at about 120cm.

Does this mean large prints can be lower DPI?

Yes. Large prints are viewed from further away, so lower DPI is acceptable. A billboard at 30 DPI looks fine from 20 metres. A 1-metre wide print at 150 DPI looks excellent from 1 metre. The viewing distance determines the required resolution, not just the print size.

How do galleries determine viewing distance?

Galleries typically hang prints at eye level (150cm centre height) and allow enough space for viewers to step back to the comfortable viewing distance. For a 1-metre wide print, allow at least 1.5-2 metres of floor space. Group shows often use smaller prints to accommodate more works.

PhotoCalcs

Viewing Distance Calculator — Optimal Viewing Distance

Calculate the optimal viewing distance based on print size and DPI.

Print Width

Print Height

Print DPI

How We Calculate This

Minimum Viewing Distance

Min distance = pixel size / tan(1 arcminute)

Where pixel size = 25.4mm / DPI.

Comfortable Viewing Distance

Comfortable = 1.5 x print diagonal

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard optical and photographic formulas. Results may vary with specific equipment.