Pixel Converter

Convert between pixels and physical units like inches, centimeters, millimeters, points, picas, em, and rem. Customize PPI/DPI settings for accurate screen-to-print conversions for web design, print design, and development.

All Conversions (click to copy)

How to Use the Pixel Converter

  1. Set your PPI/DPI value: Use the preset buttons for common values like 72 (web standard), 96 (Windows default), 300 (print quality), or 326 (Retina display). You can also enter a custom value in the input field for specific device requirements.
  2. Enter your source value: Type the number you want to convert in the "From" field. The tool accepts decimal values for precise conversions.
  3. Select the source unit: Choose from pixels (px), inches (in), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), points (pt), picas (pc), em, or rem using the dropdown menu.
  4. Choose your target unit: Select the unit you want to convert to in the "To" field. The result updates automatically as you type.
  5. View all conversions: The grid below displays your value converted to all available units simultaneously. Click any result card to copy that value to your clipboard.
  6. Swap direction: Use the swap button (arrows icon) to quickly reverse the conversion direction, moving the result back to the input field.

What is Pixel Conversion?

Pixel conversion is the process of translating between screen-based units (pixels) and physical measurement units (inches, centimeters, etc.). This conversion depends on the PPI (pixels per inch) or DPI (dots per inch) of the display or output device. Understanding these conversions is essential for web designers, graphic designers, and developers who need to ensure their designs appear correctly across different screens and print media.

Pixels are the fundamental building blocks of digital images and screen displays. Unlike physical units that have fixed real-world measurements, pixels are relative units whose actual size depends on the display resolution. A 100-pixel element will appear larger on a 72 PPI monitor than on a 326 PPI Retina display because each pixel is physically larger on lower-resolution screens.

Understanding PPI vs DPI

While often used interchangeably, PPI (pixels per inch) and DPI (dots per inch) have distinct meanings. PPI refers to the pixel density of a screen display, measuring how many pixels fit within one inch. DPI originally referred to printer resolution, indicating how many ink dots a printer can place per inch. For digital design work, PPI is the technically correct term when discussing screen displays, though DPI is commonly used in both contexts.

Common PPI values include 72 PPI for traditional web graphics, 96 PPI for Windows system displays, 150-300 PPI for print-quality images, and 326 PPI for Apple Retina displays. Choosing the correct PPI is crucial for ensuring your designs maintain proper proportions when moving between digital and print formats.

Pixel Conversion Formulas

Pixels to Inches: inches = pixels / PPI

Inches to Pixels: pixels = inches x PPI

Pixels to Centimeters: cm = (pixels / PPI) x 2.54

Centimeters to Pixels: pixels = (cm / 2.54) x PPI

Pixels to Points: pt = (pixels / PPI) x 72

Pixels to Picas: pc = (pixels / PPI) x 6

Pixels to Em/Rem: em = pixels / base-font-size (typically 16px)

Common Use Cases

Web Design: Converting between pixels and relative units like em or rem helps create responsive designs that scale properly across different devices and user font size preferences. Using rem units ensures accessibility by respecting user-defined browser font sizes.

Print Design: When preparing graphics for print, you need to convert pixel dimensions to physical units like inches or centimeters at the appropriate DPI (typically 300 DPI for high-quality prints). A 3000 x 2400 pixel image at 300 DPI produces a 10 x 8 inch print.

Cross-Platform Development: Mobile app developers must account for different screen densities. Android uses density-independent pixels (dp), while iOS uses points. Understanding pixel ratios helps maintain consistent element sizes across devices with varying pixel densities.

Tips for Accurate Conversions

Always verify the PPI of your target device or output medium before converting. For web graphics, 72 PPI is standard but modern displays may have higher densities. For print work, consult your printer's requirements, as commercial printing often requires 300 DPI or higher. When working with responsive web designs, consider using relative units like em, rem, or viewport units instead of fixed pixel values to ensure your layouts adapt to different screen sizes and user preferences.