An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for calculating an image matrix size N for reconstructing image data of an examination subject from projection data. The method includes acquiring projection data obtained during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination subject; calculating the image matrix size N as a function of an extent of an axial field of view of the computed tomography system and a sharpness value in the image data to be reconstructed; and making the calculated image matrix size available to a reconstruction unit to reconstruct the image data from the projection data acquired.