Photo Restoration Tools›AI Image Upscaler›Upscale Old Photos – Restore Resolution to Family Photos Turn low-resolution scans of old photos into sharp, printable HD images.
The Challenge
- ✗Old photos scanned from prints are often too low-resolution for modern screens or print reprints
- ✗Standard enlargement tools produce blurry, pixelated results that look worse than the original
- ✗High-DPI prints and digital photo frames require much higher resolution than most old scans provide
The Solution
Using the AI Image Upscaler entirely automates this workflow.
- 1Scan the original photo at the highest available resolution (600 DPI or above)
- 2Upload the scan and select 2x, 4x, or 8x upscale
- 3Download the high-resolution output and run it through the Old Photo Restoration tool if needed
⚙️
Recommended Settings
Start with 4x for most scans. If the result looks over-sharpened, try 2x. For very low-res originals (under 300px), 8x may produce artifacts.
⚠️
Known Limitations
- •Severely degraded or water-damaged originals may show noise after upscaling
- •Areas of the photo that are entirely lost (torn, missing) cannot be recovered by upscaling alone
- •8x upscaling on originals below 200px produces visible ringing artifacts around edges
Frequently Asked Questions
What DPI should I scan old photos at?
Minimum 300 DPI. 600 DPI or higher is recommended for wallet-size or small prints.
Should I upscale before or after restoration?
Upscale first, then restore. Higher resolution input gives the restoration AI more data to work with.
Can I print the result after upscaling?
Yes. A 4x upscale of a 600x400px scan gives you a 2400x1600px image, which prints cleanly at 8x6 inches at 300 DPI.
Does upscaling fix blur in old photos?
Upscaling and sharpening are different. Run the Image Enhancer after upscaling to improve sharpness.
Is AI upscaling better than standard interpolation?
Yes. Neural upscaling reconstructs detail rather than just averaging pixels, producing visibly sharper results.