Pixels to Inches Converter
Convert pixels to inches or inches to pixels based on PPI (pixels per inch). Works for screens, monitors, phones, and print resolution.
Pixel ↔ Inch Converter
Enter any value to convert both ways
💡You can perform calculations both ways, i.e., convert inches to pixels and vice versa. Just enter a value in either field.
Enter a value in inches or pixels to see the conversion
Common PPI Values by Device
Monitors
- 24" 1080p: 92 PPI
- 27" 1080p: 82 PPI
- 27" 4K: 163 PPI
- 32" 4K: 138 PPI
Phones
- iPhone 15: 460 PPI
- iPhone SE: 326 PPI
- Galaxy S24: 416 PPI
- Pixel 8: 428 PPI
Laptops
- MacBook Pro 14": 254 PPI
- MacBook Air: 224 PPI
- 13" 1080p: 166 PPI
- 15" 1080p: 141 PPI
- Web graphics: 72 DPI
- Standard: 96 DPI
- Print quality: 300 DPI
- High quality: 600 DPI
Quick Reference: Pixels to Inches at 96 PPI
| Pixels | Inches | Centimeters | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 px | 0.75 in | 1.91 cm | Standard icon size |
| 96 px | 1 in | 2.54 cm | One inch at web standard |
| 150 px | 1.56 in | 3.97 cm | Thumbnail image |
| 300 px | 3.13 in | 7.94 cm | Small web image |
| 600 px | 6.25 in | 15.88 cm | Medium web image |
| 1080 px | 11.25 in | 28.58 cm | Full HD height |
| 1920 px | 20 in | 50.8 cm | Full HD width |
| 2160 px | 22.5 in | 57.15 cm | 4K height |
| 3840 px | 40 in | 101.6 cm | 4K width |
What is a Pixel?
A pixel (short for "picture element") is the smallest unit of a digital image or display. Each pixel represents a single point of color on a screen. When millions of pixels are combined, they create the images we see on our computers, phones, and TVs.
The key thing to understand is that a pixel has no fixed physical size. The same 100×100 pixel image will appear larger on a low-resolution display and smaller on a high-resolution display. This is why we need to know the PPI (pixels per inch) to convert between pixels and physical measurements.
Key Point
Pixel size depends on the display's resolution and physical dimensions. A 1920×1080 resolution on a 27" monitor has larger pixels than the same resolution on a 15" laptop screen.
Understanding PPI (Pixels Per Inch)
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) measures the pixel density of a display—how many pixels fit within one linear inch. Higher PPI means more pixels are packed into the same space, resulting in sharper, more detailed images.
PPI vs DPI: What's the Difference?
While often used interchangeably, there's a technical distinction:
- PPI (Pixels Per Inch): Used for digital screens and displays
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): Used for printers and physical output
For practical purposes when converting digital images, they work the same way. A 300 DPI print setting corresponds to 300 pixels per inch.
How to Calculate PPI
You can calculate a display's PPI using the diagonal resolution and screen size:
Example: A 27" monitor with 1920×1080 resolution:
PPI = √(1920² + 1080²) ÷ 27
PPI = √(3,686,400 + 1,166,400) ÷ 27
PPI = √4,852,800 ÷ 27
PPI = 2203 ÷ 27 ≈ 82 PPI
Pixels to Inches Conversion Formulas
Pixels to Inches
Example: Convert 1920 pixels to inches at 96 PPI:
Inches = 1920 ÷ 96 = 20 inches
Inches to Pixels
Example: Convert 5 inches to pixels at 300 DPI (for print):
Pixels = 5 × 300 = 1500 pixels
Pixels to Centimeters
Since 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters, simply multiply the inch result by 2.54.
Practical Applications
Web Design
Web images typically use 72-96 PPI. Understanding pixel-to-inch conversion helps size images appropriately for different screen sizes.
Standard: 96 PPI (Windows) or 72 PPI (Mac)
Print Design
Print requires 300 DPI minimum for quality output. A 4×6 inch print needs 1200×1800 pixels at 300 DPI.
Standard: 300 DPI (standard) or 600 DPI (high quality)
Mobile App Design
Mobile devices have high PPI (300-500+). Design at higher resolutions and use responsive sizing for crisp graphics.
iPhone: 460 PPI, Android: 300-500+ PPI
Photography
Know your camera's megapixels to determine maximum print size. A 12MP (4000×3000) image can print at 13.3×10 inches at 300 DPI.
Max print size = pixels ÷ 300 DPI
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pixels are in an inch?
It depends on the PPI setting. At 96 PPI (web standard), 1 inch = 96 pixels. At 300 DPI (print), 1 inch = 300 pixels. At 72 PPI (Mac standard), 1 inch = 72 pixels.
How do I convert 1920 pixels to inches?
Divide by PPI. At 96 PPI: 1920 ÷ 96 = 20 inches. At 300 DPI: 1920 ÷ 300 = 6.4 inches. The result changes based on pixel density.
What PPI should I use for web images?
For web, 72-96 PPI is standard. The actual display size depends on the viewer's screen, so pixel dimensions matter more than PPI for web images.
What DPI is needed for printing?
Standard print quality requires 300 DPI. High-quality prints (photos, fine art) use 600 DPI or higher. Lower quality prints (posters, billboards viewed from distance) can use 150 DPI.
Why does the same image look different sizes on different screens?
Different screens have different PPI values. A 1000-pixel wide image appears smaller on a high-PPI phone screen than on a low-PPI monitor because the pixels are physically smaller on high-PPI displays.
How do I find my monitor's PPI?
Use the formula: PPI = √(width² + height²) ÷ diagonal size. Or check your display specifications—most manufacturers list PPI in the technical specs.
What's the difference between resolution and PPI?
Resolution is the total pixel count (e.g., 1920×1080). PPI is the pixel density—how many pixels fit per inch. A screen's PPI depends on both resolution AND physical size.
How many pixels do I need for a 4×6 inch print at 300 DPI?
Multiply dimensions by DPI: 4 × 300 = 1200 pixels wide, 6 × 300 = 1800 pixels tall. You need a minimum of 1200×1800 pixels for quality 4×6 print.
Why is web design usually 72 or 96 PPI?
These were early screen standards (Mac used 72, Windows used 96). While modern screens have higher PPI, these settings persist as defaults. For web, pixel dimensions matter more than PPI metadata.
What is Retina display?
Retina is Apple's marketing term for displays with high enough PPI that individual pixels aren't visible at normal viewing distance (typically 200+ PPI for laptops, 300+ for phones).
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