Megapixels Calculator
Find megapixels from image dimensions.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Megapixels measure the total resolution of a digital image or camera sensor, and this calculator computes them from pixel dimensions. You enter the width and height in pixels, and it returns the megapixel count and the total pixel count. The calculation multiplies width by height to get total pixels, then divides by one million, since a megapixel is one million pixels. For example, a 4000×3000 image contains 12 million pixels, or 12 megapixels. Megapixels indicate how much detail an image holds and how large it can be printed or displayed while remaining sharp — more megapixels allow bigger prints and more cropping room. However, megapixels are not the whole story of image quality: sensor size, lens quality, pixel size, dynamic range, and processing matter greatly, which is why a phone with many megapixels can be outperformed by a camera with fewer but larger, higher-quality pixels. For most uses, moderate megapixel counts are plenty; even 12 megapixels prints beautifully at common sizes and is more than enough for screens and social media. This calculator is handy for comparing cameras, checking whether an image has enough resolution for a print, or understanding a screen or sensor's resolution. Enter the width and height to find the megapixels.
Megapixels = (width × height) ÷ 1,000,000
The total number of pixels is the image width multiplied by its height. Dividing that by one million gives the megapixel count, since mega means million. More megapixels means a higher-resolution image with more detail and larger possible print sizes.
Source:Digital imaging basics
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter width and height.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Megapixels updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate megapixels?
Multiply the image width by its height in pixels to get the total pixel count, then divide by one million. A 4000-by-3000-pixel image has 12 million pixels, or 12 megapixels. The calculator returns both the total pixels and the megapixel figure, which is the standard way to express a camera's or image's resolution.
Do more megapixels mean better photos?
Not necessarily. More megapixels capture more detail and allow larger prints and cropping, but image quality also depends heavily on sensor size, pixel quality, lens, dynamic range, and processing. A camera with fewer, larger pixels can produce cleaner images, especially in low light, than one with many tiny pixels. Megapixels are one factor among several.
How many megapixels do I need?
For screens, social media, and standard prints, around 8 to 12 megapixels is plenty. Larger prints or heavy cropping benefit from more, while professional and large-format work may want 24 megapixels or higher. Beyond a point, extra megapixels give diminishing returns for most people and create larger files, so match the count to how you use your images.
What is the relationship between megapixels and print size?
Print size at a given quality depends on megapixels and DPI. Dividing the pixel dimensions by the desired DPI gives the print size in inches, and more megapixels allow larger prints at full quality. A 12-megapixel image (4000×3000) prints about 13×10 inches at 300 DPI, which suits most everyday and gallery prints comfortably.
Are camera and screen megapixels the same idea?
Yes, both count total pixels. A camera's megapixels describe how many pixels its sensor captures, while a screen's resolution describes how many it displays. A 4K screen (3840×2160) shows about 8.3 megapixels. The same width-times-height calculation applies, letting you compare the resolution of images, sensors, and displays on the same scale.