Upscaled images for print
At 300 dpi, a 4,096 × 2,732 px result prints at about 13.6 × 9.1 inches (35 × 23 cm). At 150 dpi, which suits posters seen from a distance, it doubles.
THINK A LITTLE BIGGER
Image Upscaler
This image upscaler enlarges your photo while an AI model sharpens edges and texture. Process one photo, or unlock batches of up to 20 with a paid subscription or credit pack purchase. Higher-resolution input supports up to 2,048 px.
IMAGE UPSCALERAI PHOTO ENHANCEMENT
Upload an image to upscale
Start with the original file for the best result.
or drag and drop it here
JPG, PNG or WebP · Up to 20 MB 1 credit per image No watermark
01
How the AI Image Upscaler Works
The upscaler runs Recraft Crisp, an AI model built for sharp enlargement. Your browser prepares each photo up to 2,048 px on its longest side and below 4 MP. A 3,000 × 2,000 original is sent at 2,048 × 1,365; smaller files retain their size. The model then enlarges the prepared input, with final dimensions depending on the source and model. Instead of stretching pixels like a basic resize, the model predicts fine edges and texture, so the enlarged picture looks crisp rather than soft.
Older upscalers use bicubic interpolation, which averages neighboring pixels and softens every edge. An AI image upscaler has learned what edges, hair, foliage and lettering look like at high resolution, so it can enlarge a small picture without the usual blocky or mushy look. The same ability is why it sometimes adds texture that was not in the original.
Because of that first resize, this image upscaler helps most with small pictures: thumbnails, old web images, screenshots and cropped details. A large camera original is resized before processing, so inspect the result at full size to see whether it improves your photo.
02
What 4× Upscaling Means
Scale factors apply to width and height. A 4× upscale multiplies each side by four, so the picture ends up with 16 times as many pixels. That takes a 500-pixel web image to about 2,000 pixels, or a 1,024-pixel crop to 4,096 pixels.
Upscaled images for screens
A 4K display is 3,840 px wide, so a full-width result fills it without visible pixels. For websites, resize the result down to the display size and export as WebP or JPG.
Upscaling a crop
Cropping into a photo and upscaling the crop is a common way to rescue a distant subject. Crop first, so the whole 2,048-pixel processing input goes to the part you need.
03
Image Upscaler vs. Unblur: Which Do You Need?
Choose an image upscaler when the picture is clear but too small for where it is going. Choose unblurring when it is large enough but soft. Many photos have both problems, and this tool handles them in one pass, because the same AI model sharpens and enlarges together.
When blur is the main problem, the unblur image page explains which kinds of blur respond best. For signs, receipts or screenshots, use the blurred text image page, and to sharpen without any AI at all, see how to unblur image without ai.
04
How to Upscale an Image in 3 Steps
Enlarge a photo without losing track of the original.
Choose the image to upscale
Start with the highest-quality version and crop it to the area you care about. Any JPG, PNG or WebP up to 20 MB and 40 megapixels works.
Upscale the image with AI
The 4× upscale starts automatically after upload and usually takes 10–30 seconds, so keep the tab open.
Inspect and save the upscaled image
Zoom to 100% on faces, text and patterns, then download the full-size WebP or PNG without a watermark.
05
Upscaling Portraits, Old Photos, GIFs and Documents
Different pictures enlarge in different ways, so set expectations by subject.
Portrait upscaling
Faces enlarge well when the eyes and mouth are already clear in the source. In tiny faces the model has to invent features, so check that the person still looks like themselves.
Old photo upscaling
Scan prints at 300–600 dpi rather than photographing them. Upscaling a scan adds resolution, but it will not repair scratches, tears or faded color.
GIF and graphic upscaling
Animated GIFs are not accepted. Save the frame you want as PNG; flat graphics and logos upscale cleanly because their edges are simple.
Document upscaling
Enlarging a small scan makes text easier to read and to OCR. Verify numbers, since a misread character can be sharpened as confidently as a correct one.
06
How to Judge an Upscaled Image
View the result at 100% rather than fitted to the screen. Good upscales have clean, continuous edges and texture that looks natural up close. Warning signs are waxy skin, repeating patterns in grass or fabric, letters that change shape and a painted look in fine hair. If you see them, the source was probably too small or too compressed, so try a better original or a tighter crop. It also helps to view the upscaled result where it will be used: on a print proof, a TV or a phone.
07
Why Upscaling Sometimes Fails
Upscaling cannot create a more accurate picture than the original allows. Very small sources under about 200 pixels, heavy JPEG artifacts, strong noise from night shots and motion blur all limit the result. Each successful enhancement uses 1 credit, so fix obvious source problems first: find the original file rather than a screenshot, and crop away borders.
GOOD QUESTIONS. CLEAR ANSWERS.
Image Upscaler FAQ
A few things to know before you begin.
Does 4× mean four times the width?
Yes. Both width and height are multiplied by four, producing 16 times as many pixels.
Does upscaling guarantee no loss of quality?
No. Results depend on the original image and the model. A larger result can still contain softness, invented texture or artifacts.
How do I pay for this image upscaler?
Sign in and choose a monthly plan or a one-time image credit pack. Each successful upscale uses 1 credit and downloads without a watermark. Existing credits remain available.
What is the maximum output size?
Final dimensions depend on the input and model. AI input is prepared up to 2,048 pixels on the longest side and below 4 MP; output may be larger. Download the returned WebP or PNG at its full size.
Can I upscale an image twice for 16×?
No. You can upload a result again, but it is resized to the same 2,048 px and 4 MP processing limits, so repeated passes cannot keep multiplying its size. Every successful pass uses another image credit.
Are my images stored?
Images are processed by our AI provider fal.ai. Results are stored privately so you can download them; signed-in users can find their results in Activity.