Centimeter to Pixel Converter

Convert between centimeters (cm) and pixels (px) using customizable PPI (pixels per inch) for digital design, printing, and screen measurements.

Select conversion direction:

Determines how many pixels fit in one inch

ppi

Centimeters to Pixels Conversion:

1 inch = 2.54 cm | Pixels = cm × (PPI ÷ 2.54)

Based on selected PPI (pixels per inch). For 96 PPI: 1 cm ≈ 37.795 px | 1 px ≈ 0.026458 cm

cm

Physical measurement (e.g., 2.54 cm = 1 inch)

px

Display format:

Quick conversions (at 96 PPI) - click to auto-fill:

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About Centimeters (cm) and Pixels (px)

Understanding the relationship between physical measurements (cm) and digital units (px) for design and development.

cm vs px Comparison

Unit Type Definition Common Uses
Centimeter (cm) Physical Metric unit: 1/100 of a meter, ~0.3937 inches Print dimensions, physical object measurements, real-world sizes
Pixel (px) Digital Smallest unit of digital image or display, size depends on PPI Screen dimensions, digital design, web layouts, image resolution

*Note: Pixels have no fixed physical size - their actual size depends on display density (PPI) and viewing distance.

Understanding PPI (Pixels Per Inch)

PPI (Pixels Per Inch) determines how many pixels are packed into one inch of physical space, directly affecting the conversion between centimeters and pixels:

  • Low PPI (72-96): Typical for computer monitors and screens. 1 cm ≈ 28-38 pixels.
  • Medium PPI (150-200): Found in high-resolution screens and tablets. 1 cm ≈ 59-79 pixels.
  • High PPI (300+): Standard for print materials. 1 cm ≈ 118 pixels. Required for sharp printed text.
  • Retina/High-DPI displays: Have 2x or more pixels per inch, requiring higher pixel dimensions for the same physical size.

Common Conversions at Different PPI Values

Centimeters (cm) ≈ Pixels at 72 PPI ≈ Pixels at 96 PPI ≈ Pixels at 300 PPI Common Object
2.54 cm 72 px 96 px 300 px 1 inch
12.7 cm 360 px 480 px 1500 px 5 inches
21 cm 595 px 794 px 2480 px A4 paper width
29.7 cm 842 px 1123 px 3508 px A4 paper height
13.3 cm 377 px 503 px 1575 px Credit card width

Centimeter to Pixel Conversion Tables

Common conversions at standard PPI values for digital design and printing

72 PPI (Screen)

Centimeters (cm) = Pixels (px)
1 cm = ≈28.35 px
2.54 cm (1") = 72 px
5 cm = ≈141.73 px
10 cm = ≈283.46 px
20 cm = ≈566.93 px

96 PPI (Web)

Centimeters (cm) = Pixels (px)
1 cm = ≈37.795 px
2.54 cm (1") = 96 px
5 cm = ≈188.976 px
10 cm = ≈377.95 px
20 cm = ≈755.91 px

300 PPI (Print)

Centimeters (cm) = Pixels (px)
1 cm = ≈118.11 px
2.54 cm (1") = 300 px
5 cm = ≈590.55 px
10 cm = ≈1181.1 px
20 cm = ≈2362.2 px

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about centimeter to pixel conversions

Why isn't there a fixed conversion between centimeters and pixels?

Unlike most unit conversions, centimeters (physical measurement) and pixels (digital unit) don't have a fixed relationship because:

  • Pixels are not physical units - their actual size depends on how densely they're packed (PPI).
  • A 100px line can be 1cm long on a high-density display or 3cm long on a low-density display.
  • Different devices have different pixel densities - a phone, monitor, and printer will all display the same pixel dimensions as different physical sizes.
  • This is why PPI (pixels per inch) is required for accurate conversion between the two units.
What PPI value should I use for my project?

Choose your PPI based on your output medium:

  • Web design: Use 96 PPI (standard for screen displays). Modern browsers render CSS inches at 96px.
  • Screen graphics: 72-96 PPI is standard for most monitors and digital displays.
  • Print materials: 300 PPI is the industry standard for sharp, high-quality prints.
  • Large format printing: 150 PPI is often sufficient for banners and signs viewed from a distance.
  • Retina/High-DPI screens: Use 144-192 PPI (2x standard density) for crisp graphics on modern devices.

Always check the specific requirements of your project or printer, as some may have unique specifications.

How does pixel density affect image quality?

Pixel density (PPI) directly impacts perceived image quality:

  • Too low PPI for print: Images appear pixelated or blurry because there aren't enough pixels to create smooth lines.
  • Too high PPI for screens: Wastes file size and memory without visible quality improvement, as screens can't display the extra detail.
  • Matching PPI to output: Ensures the image has enough pixels to look sharp without unnecessary file bloat.
  • Viewing distance matters: Large images viewed from far away (like billboards) can use much lower PPI than small images viewed up close.
How do I convert pixels to centimeters for a specific screen size?

To calculate physical size from pixel dimensions for a specific screen:

  1. Find your screen's resolution (pixels) and physical size (inches or cm) from its specifications.
  2. Calculate its PPI: Pixels per inch = Screen width in pixels ÷ Screen width in inches.
  3. Use that PPI value in this converter for accurate results.

Example: A 24" monitor with 1920px width has a PPI of 1920 ÷ 24 = 80 PPI. Using 80 PPI in the converter will give accurate physical measurements for that specific screen.

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