Pixels to Inches Converter
Enter a pixel count and your screen or printer PPI (pixels per inch) to get the equivalent size in inches, millimeters, centimeters, and typographic points - or go the other direction and enter inches to get pixels. Switch the conversion direction with the mode selector, and pick a preset PPI from common devices such as iPhones, MacBooks, and standard monitors so you never have to look it up.
Formula
Worked example
1920 pixels on a 96 PPI screen: 1920 ÷ 96 = 20 inches = 508 mm = 1440 pt. The same 1920 pixels on an iPhone 15 (460 PPI): 1920 ÷ 460 = 4.17 inches.
How to convert pixels to inches
Pixels are abstract units of digital information - they have no physical size until rendered on a screen or printed on paper. The physical size depends entirely on the pixel density of the output device, measured in pixels per inch (PPI) for screens or dots per inch (DPI) for printers. The formula is straightforward: divide the pixel count by the PPI to get the size in inches, or multiply by 25.4 to get millimeters. Going the other direction, multiply the physical size in inches by the PPI to find how many pixels that dimension spans. For example, 1920 pixels on a 96 PPI monitor spans exactly 20 inches (about 50.8 cm), while the same 1920 pixels on an iPhone 15 screen at 460 PPI spans only about 4.17 inches.
PPI vs. DPI - what is the difference?
PPI (pixels per inch) is a screen density measure: it counts how many pixels fit in one inch of a digital display. DPI (dots per inch) is a print density measure: it counts how many ink dots a printer places in one inch. The two terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they are technically distinct. When converting image files for print, you typically want at least 300 DPI for photo-quality output. For web and screen display, 96 PPI is the conventional default used by Windows and most browsers. Apple Retina displays typically run at 2x or 3x scaling, so a single CSS pixel on a Retina screen corresponds to 2 or 3 physical pixels.
Standard PPI values for common screens and printers
The right PPI to use depends on your device or output target. Standard HD monitors (1080p at 24 inches) sit around 92 PPI. The web default for CSS calculations is 96 PPI. MacBook Pro screens run at 254 PPI, and iPhones since 2021 reach 460 PPI. For print, the rule of thumb is: 72 PPI for display or web graphics, 150 PPI for acceptable photo prints viewed at arm's length, 300 PPI for sharp photo prints, and 600 PPI for laser-quality documents. Use the Device preset selector in this calculator to avoid looking up PPI values manually - the most common screens and printers are listed there.
Points and other typographic units
Typography adds a third unit into the mix: the typographic point (pt). By definition, one point equals exactly 1/72 of an inch, so 72 pt = 1 inch and 1 pt at 96 PPI = 96/72 = 1.333 pixels. This is why CSS font sizes of 12 pt look different depending on screen DPI. Desktop publishing software like Adobe InDesign and print PDFs traditionally use points for font sizes and leading. This calculator shows the point equivalent so you can move easily between screen design (pixels) and print design (points) without separate conversions.
Common device PPI values
| Device | Category | PPI |
|---|---|---|
| Standard HD monitor (1080p, 24 in) | Monitor | 92 |
| Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) | Laptop | 254 |
| Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) | Laptop | 254 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | Smartphone | 460 |
| iPhone 15 | Smartphone | 460 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 | Smartphone | 416 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2) | Tablet | 264 |
| Standard laser printer | Printer | 600 |
| Photo inkjet printer (quality) | Printer | 300 |
| Standard web/screen | Screen | 96 |
Pixels per inch (PPI) for popular screens, tablets, phones, and printers. Use these values in the Device preset selector above.
Frequently asked questions
How many pixels are in an inch?
There is no fixed answer - it depends entirely on the PPI (pixels per inch) of your screen or printer. On the web default of 96 PPI, there are 96 pixels per inch. On a MacBook Pro at 254 PPI, there are 254 pixels per inch. On an iPhone 15 at 460 PPI, there are 460 pixels per inch. A pixel is an abstract unit; it only has a physical size when rendered on a specific device.
What PPI should I use for print?
For high-quality photo prints, use 300 PPI as a minimum. For document printing (letters, reports), 150 to 300 PPI is typical. For large-format prints viewed from a distance (posters, banners), 100 to 150 PPI is often acceptable. Standard laser printers output at 600 or 1200 DPI, but your image file should be 300 PPI or above for best results.
What PPI should I use for web or screen design?
Use 96 PPI for standard Windows/Linux screens. Mac screens often run at 72 to 96 PPI at the system level (they apply Retina scaling on top). In CSS, one pixel equals 1/96 of an inch by definition. If you are designing for Retina or HiDPI screens, export assets at 2x or 3x resolution so they appear sharp after the display scales them down.
How do I find the PPI of my monitor?
Look up your monitor model name along with "PPI" or "pixels per inch" in a search engine. Alternatively, you can calculate it: divide the diagonal pixel count (the square root of horizontal pixels squared plus vertical pixels squared) by the diagonal screen size in inches. For example, a 1920x1080 24-inch monitor has a diagonal of 2202 pixels / 24 inches = about 92 PPI.
Is 1 pixel always the same physical size?
No. A pixel has no fixed physical size - it depends on the output device. On a 96 PPI monitor, 1 pixel = 0.01042 inches (about 0.265 mm). On a 460 PPI phone screen, 1 pixel = 0.00217 inches (about 0.055 mm). This is why images designed for a 96 PPI screen look much smaller on a 460 PPI phone if you do not account for the device's pixel ratio.
What is the difference between CSS pixels and physical pixels?
CSS pixels (also called logical or device-independent pixels) are the unit web developers use in stylesheets. On a non-Retina screen at 96 PPI, 1 CSS pixel = 1 physical pixel. On a Retina (2x) display, 1 CSS pixel = 2 physical pixels in each direction, so the browser renders 4 physical pixels for each CSS pixel. The device pixel ratio (DPR) tells you the scaling factor. For this converter, use the physical PPI of your device if you want to find actual physical dimensions; use 96 PPI if you are working with CSS pixels.