CM to Pixels Converter
This free cm to pixels converter turns centimeters into pixels (and pixels back into centimeters) instantly, using the web standard of 96 DPI by default. Because pixels depend on resolution, you can switch the DPI to match your destination — 96 for screens, 300 for print. The conversion is bidirectional, so enter a value in either field to see the other update. Everything runs entirely in your browser: nothing is uploaded, and there is no signup, so your measurements stay private.
How to use the cm to pixels converter
- Enter your measurement in the Centimeters field.
- Choose a DPI (dots per inch) that matches where the result will be used — 96 for screens and web, 300 for print.
- Read the pixel value, which updates instantly as you type.
- To go the other way, type into the Pixels field and read the centimeters — the tool is fully bidirectional.
- Copy the result into your design software, CSS, or print layout.
Every calculation happens locally in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded, stored, or shared.
The cm to pixels formula
Pixels are a resolution-dependent unit, so converting from centimeters always involves a DPI value. The formula is:
pixels = cm × (DPI ÷ 2.54)
This works because 1 inch = 2.54 cm, and DPI (dots per inch) tells you how many pixels fit into one inch. Dividing DPI by 2.54 gives the number of pixels in one centimeter, then you multiply by your centimeter value.
Worked examples at the web default of 96 DPI:
- 1 cm × (96 ÷ 2.54) = 37.8 px
- 5 cm × (96 ÷ 2.54) = 189 px
- 10 cm × (96 ÷ 2.54) = 378 px
To reverse the calculation, use cm = pixels × 2.54 ÷ DPI. For example, 378 px × 2.54 ÷ 96 = 10 cm.
Why DPI (resolution) matters
There is no single fixed number of pixels in a centimeter — it depends entirely on the resolution you are working at. The same 10 cm becomes 378 px on a standard screen but 1181 px in a print file, because each context packs a different number of pixels into every inch.
- 96 DPI is the CSS and web default. Use it for websites, on-screen graphics, UI mockups, and social media.
- 72 DPI is a legacy screen value (1 cm ≈ 28.35 px) still seen in some older design workflows.
- 150 DPI (1 cm ≈ 59.06 px) is a middle ground for draft or low-cost printing.
- 300 DPI is the standard for high-quality print — brochures, posters, and photos. At 300 DPI, 1 cm = 118.11 px.
The rule of thumb: match your DPI to the destination. Using a print resolution on the web makes images needlessly large, while using web resolution for print produces blurry, pixelated output.
CM to pixels conversion table
| Centimeters | Pixels @96 DPI | Pixels @300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 37.8 px | 118.11 px |
| 2 cm | 75.6 px | 236.22 px |
| 3 cm | 113.39 px | 354.33 px |
| 5 cm | 189 px | 590.55 px |
| 10 cm | 378 px | 1181.1 px |
| 15 cm | 566.93 px | 1771.65 px |
| 21 cm | 793.7 px | 2480.31 px |
| 29.7 cm | 1122.5 px | 3507.87 px |
| 50 cm | 1889.76 px | 5905.51 px |
A-series paper sizes in pixels
A-series paper (A4, A5, A3) is defined in centimeters, which makes it a common reason to convert to pixels. Here are the standard sizes at both web and print resolution:
| Paper size | Centimeters | Pixels @96 DPI | Pixels @300 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 14.8 × 21 cm | 559 × 794 px | 1748 × 2480 px |
| A4 | 21 × 29.7 cm | 794 × 1123 px | 2480 × 3508 px |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42 cm | 1123 × 1587 px | 3508 × 4961 px |
For anything headed to a printer, use the 300 DPI column. For an on-screen preview, use the 96 DPI values.
Using cm to pixels in design tools
Apps like Photoshop, Figma, Canva, and GIMP work in pixels internally, even when you set up a canvas in centimeters. When you create a document, the resolution setting (DPI/PPI) you choose is what converts your centimeter dimensions into the underlying pixel grid. If a client asks for a 10 × 15 cm print at 300 DPI, that is a 1181 × 1772 px file — set the resolution before you start so the canvas is the right size.
Frequently asked questions
How many pixels is 1 cm?
At 96 DPI (the web default), 1 cm is 37.8 px. At 300 DPI for print, 1 cm is 118.11 px. The exact figure is cm × (DPI ÷ 2.54), so it changes with the resolution you pick.
How do I convert cm to pixels?
Multiply your centimeter value by the DPI divided by 2.54: pixels = cm × (DPI ÷ 2.54). For example, 5 cm at 96 DPI is 5 × (96 ÷ 2.54) = 189 px. Or just type the value into the converter above and pick your DPI.
How many pixels is A4 in cm?
A4 measures 21 × 29.7 cm. At 300 DPI that is 2480 × 3508 px, and at 96 DPI it is about 794 × 1123 px. Use the 300 DPI dimensions for print files.
Why does the pixel value change with DPI?
A centimeter is a fixed physical length, but a pixel is not — DPI defines how many pixels fill one inch. Higher DPI packs more pixels into the same centimeter, so 10 cm is 378 px at 96 DPI but 1181 px at 300 DPI.
What is the difference between cm to px and cm to pixels?
None — “px” is simply the abbreviation for pixels. A cm to px conversion and a cm to pixels conversion give exactly the same result.
Which DPI should I use, 96 or 300?
Use 96 DPI for anything shown on a screen — websites, apps, and social media — because that is the CSS default. Use 300 DPI for printed material so it looks sharp. Always match the DPI to where the image will end up.
How do I convert pixels back to centimeters?
Reverse the formula: cm = pixels × 2.54 ÷ DPI. For instance, 378 px at 96 DPI is 378 × 2.54 ÷ 96 = 10 cm. The converter does this automatically when you type in the pixels field.
Is this cm to pixels converter free and private?
Yes. It is completely free, requires no signup, and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded to a server, so your measurements stay on your device.