How to use the inches to pixels converter
- Enter a measurement. Choose inches, centimetres, millimetres, points, or picas and enter a value of zero or greater.
- Set the output density. Use the DPI or PPI required by your image, printer, stylesheet, or production specification. Presets are examples and remain editable.
- Read or copy the result. The calculator updates immediately and shows the selected unit, result, and density needed to reproduce the conversion.
Use the swap button when you need to convert pixels back to a physical measurement. For a dedicated reverse workflow with print-size guidance, open the pixels to inches calculator.
Inches to pixels formula
An inch has a fixed physical length, but a pixel does not. Pixels per inch supplies the density needed to connect the two measurements.
PPI is the precise term for image pixels per inch. DPI describes printer dots per inch, although print instructions often use DPI as shorthand for the image density they expect. Use the numeric requirement supplied for the file, and read DPI vs PPI when the terminology is unclear.
Worked example
A four-inch image prepared at 300 PPI requires 1,200 pixels along that edge:
For a 4 × 6 inch image, calculate both dimensions at the same density: 1,200 × 1,800 px. This is an illustrative calculation, not a universal print specification.
Quick conversion reference
| Inches | At 96 PPI | At 150 PPI | At 300 PPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 48 px | 75 px | 150 px |
| 1 in | 96 px | 150 px | 300 px |
| 2 in | 192 px | 300 px | 600 px |
| 4 in | 384 px | 600 px | 1,200 px |
| 6 in | 576 px | 900 px | 1,800 px |
| 8.5 in | 816 px | 1,275 px | 2,550 px |
| 11 in | 1,056 px | 1,650 px | 3,300 px |
These values demonstrate the formula at three densities. They do not choose a density for your project. Enter a custom value whenever a printer, publisher, application, or device specification provides one.
Common print sizes in pixels
| Physical size | At 300 PPI | At 96 PPI |
|---|---|---|
| 2 × 2 in | 600 × 600 px | 192 × 192 px |
| 3.5 × 2 in | 1,050 × 600 px | 336 × 192 px |
| 4 × 6 in | 1,200 × 1,800 px | 384 × 576 px |
| 5 × 7 in | 1,500 × 2,100 px | 480 × 672 px |
| 8 × 10 in | 2,400 × 3,000 px | 768 × 960 px |
| 8.5 × 11 in | 2,550 × 3,300 px | 816 × 1,056 px |
| 11 × 17 in | 3,300 × 5,100 px | 1,056 × 1,632 px |
| 18 × 24 in | 5,400 × 7,200 px | 1,728 × 2,304 px |
| 24 × 36 in | 7,200 × 10,800 px | 2,304 × 3,456 px |
Each row is a direct width-and-height calculation at the stated density. Confirm the required PPI and any bleed with the print provider before creating the final file.
A4, Letter, and poster sizes in pixels
| Size | Physical dimensions | At 300 PPI | At 96 PPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 2,480 × 3,508 px | 794 × 1,123 px |
| US Letter | 8.5 × 11 in | 2,550 × 3,300 px | 816 × 1,056 px |
| Small poster | 11 × 17 in | 3,300 × 5,100 px | 1,056 × 1,632 px |
| Poster | 18 × 24 in | 5,400 × 7,200 px | 1,728 × 2,304 px |
| Large poster | 24 × 36 in | 7,200 × 10,800 px | 2,304 × 3,456 px |
A4 values are calculated from the exact ISO dimensions of 210 × 297 millimetres and rounded only to whole pixels. The table excludes bleed, crop marks, and provider-specific production allowances.
Common conversion use cases
Print preparation
Calculate raster dimensions from a final physical size and the image PPI requested by the production provider.
Image-size checks
Convert existing pixel dimensions back to inches to evaluate possible output sizes without changing the file.
CSS reference units
Use the CSS relationship of 1in = 96px for stylesheet calculations while remembering that CSS pixels are reference units.
Typography
Translate typographic points into pixels for a specified density, then evaluate the actual typeface and user scaling.
Limitations and assumptions
- The result assumes that the measurement and PPI value belong to the same output workflow.
- The calculator does not inspect an image, detect a display, select a printer setting, or predict visible print quality.
- Bleed, crop, safe areas, resampling, browser zoom, operating-system scaling, and printer-driver scaling are not added automatically.
- Changing resolution metadata does not create image detail. Compare the required pixel dimensions with the source file before enlarging it.
- Production requirements from a printer, publisher, or platform take priority over example presets and tables.
Methodology and accuracy
Calculations use exact unit relationships internally: one inch equals exactly 25.4 millimetres, 2.54 centimetres, 72 typographic points, or 6 picas. The selected PPI is applied at full numeric precision, and rounding occurs only when the result is formatted for display.
For the full derivation, reverse formula, bleed example, and rounding guidance, read the inches-to-pixels formula guide.
Calculator summary
Enter a physical measurement and a positive DPI or PPI value to calculate pixels, or swap the direction to calculate physical size from pixels. Keep the density with the result so another person or application can reproduce the conversion.
Frequently asked questions
How many pixels are in 1 inch?
There are 96 pixels in 1 inch at the standard 96 PPI web value. At other densities, 1 inch equals 72 px at 72 PPI, 300 px at 300 PPI, and 600 px at 600 PPI.
What is the formula for converting inches to pixels?
The formula is Pixels = Inches x PPI. Multiply by PPI to convert inches to PX, and divide by PPI to convert pixels to inches.
What DPI should I use for printing?
Use the image-resolution requirement supplied by your printer or publisher. Many close-viewed print workflows request about 300 PPI, while other processes and viewing distances may use a different value.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
DPI means Dots Per Inch for print output, and PPI means Pixels Per Inch for digital image density. Designers often use DPI and PPI together when setting image dimensions for print and web.
What size is A4 at 300 DPI?
A4 is approximately 2480 x 3508 px at 300 PPI when calculated from its exact 210 x 297 millimeter dimensions and rounded to whole pixels.
What size is 8x10 at 300 DPI?
8x10 at 300 DPI is 2400 x 3000 px. The Width is 8 inches x 300 PPI, and the Height is 10 inches x 300 PPI.
Why does CSS map 1 inch to 96 pixels?
CSS defines the ratio between absolute units so that 1in equals 96 CSS pixels. CSS pixels are reference units and do not necessarily match a screen's physical pixels per inch.
How do I resize images for printing?
Start with the final width and height, include any bleed specified by the printer, and multiply each physical dimension by the requested PPI. Check the source image before resampling because adding pixels does not restore missing detail.