Print Size to Pixels Converter
Enter a physical print or image size — width × height in centimeters, millimeters, or inches — plus a DPI, and this free calculator returns the exact pixel dimensions for print or screen. Use 300 DPI for sharp printing and 96 DPI for on-screen use; the two give very different pixel counts for the same size. Everything runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded, and there is no signup — your measurements stay private on your device.
How to use the print size to pixels calculator
- Enter the physical width of your print or image.
- Enter the physical height.
- Choose the unit for those measurements — centimeters, millimeters, or inches.
- Set the DPI (dots per inch) to match the destination — 300 for print, 96 for screens and web.
- Read the pixel width × height, which updates instantly as you type, and copy it into your design or print software.
Every calculation happens locally in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded, stored, or shared.
The print size to pixels formula
Pixels are a resolution-dependent unit, so converting a physical size always needs a DPI value. Because DPI means dots (pixels) per inch, the size is first expressed in inches and then multiplied by the DPI. Each dimension is calculated separately:
pixels = physical size (in inches) × DPI
If your measurement is in centimeters or millimeters, convert to inches first — divide by 2.54 for cm, or by 25.4 for mm:
- Inches:
px = inches × DPI - Centimeters:
px = cm ÷ 2.54 × DPI - Millimeters:
px = mm ÷ 25.4 × DPI
Worked example — 6 cm × 2 cm in pixels:
- At 96 DPI (screen): 6 ÷ 2.54 × 96 = 226.8 → 227 px wide, and 2 ÷ 2.54 × 96 = 75.6 → 76 px tall = 227 × 76 px.
- At 300 DPI (print): 6 ÷ 2.54 × 300 = 708.7 → 709 px wide, and 2 ÷ 2.54 × 300 = 236.2 → 236 px tall = 709 × 236 px.
Pixels come in whole numbers, so the results are rounded to the nearest pixel.
Why 300 DPI matters for print
The DPI you choose is the whole point of this tool, because the same physical size can produce wildly different pixel counts. For print, aim for around 300 DPI — that is the density at which a printed photo or page looks crisp and detailed at normal viewing distance. Below that, edges and text start to look soft or jagged.
By contrast, 96 DPI is a screen-only value (the CSS and web default). It is fine for images that will only ever be viewed on a monitor or phone, but far too low for print. The gap is large: a 6 × 2 cm image is only 227 × 76 px at 96 DPI, but 709 × 236 px at 300 DPI — more than three times the pixels in each direction, and roughly ten times the total pixel area. If you send a screen-resolution file to a printer, the result will look blurry; if you use print resolution on the web, the file is needlessly heavy.
Common print sizes in pixels (at 300 DPI)
| Print size | Inches / cm | Pixels @300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| 4×6 photo | 4 × 6 in | 1200 × 1800 px |
| 5×7 photo | 5 × 7 in | 1500 × 2100 px |
| 8×10 photo | 8 × 10 in | 2400 × 3000 px |
| A5 | 14.8 × 21 cm | 1748 × 2480 px |
| A4 | 21 × 29.7 cm | 2480 × 3508 px |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42 cm | 3508 × 4961 px |
These are the pixel dimensions to design at for print. For an on-screen preview at 96 DPI the same sizes are far smaller — a 4 × 6 photo, for example, is only 384 × 576 px.
What resolution do I need for a good print?
A “good” print means having enough pixels to fill the physical size at roughly 300 DPI. If your image has fewer pixels than the target below, the printer has to stretch each pixel, and the result looks soft. Use these figures as the minimum pixel dimensions for each popular size:
- 4 × 6 photo: at least 1200 × 1800 px.
- 5 × 7 photo: at least 1500 × 2100 px.
- 8 × 10 photo: at least 2400 × 3000 px.
- A4 page: at least 2480 × 3508 px.
If your source image is smaller than these values, either print it at a smaller physical size or accept some loss of sharpness. Enlarging a small image to fill a big print cannot add detail that was never captured.
Screen resolution vs print resolution
For anything that lives on a screen — a website graphic, a social post, or a slide — 96 DPI is the right choice, and the pixel dimensions are all that matter. For anything that gets physically printed, switch to 300 DPI so the same physical size carries enough pixels to look sharp on paper. When in doubt, design at print resolution: you can always scale a large image down for the web, but you cannot invent detail to scale a small one up.
Frequently asked questions
How many pixels is 6cm x 2cm?
At 96 DPI (screen), 6 cm × 2 cm is 227 × 76 px. At 300 DPI (print), it is 709 × 236 px. Each side is calculated as size ÷ 2.54 × DPI, then rounded to the nearest pixel.
What size in pixels is a 4×6 photo?
A standard 4 × 6 inch photo is 1200 × 1800 px at 300 DPI, the usual print resolution. At 96 DPI it would only be 384 × 576 px, which is too low for a quality print.
What DPI should I use for printing?
Use 300 DPI for high-quality print — photos, brochures, and posters all look sharp at this density. Some large-format work viewed from a distance can use 150 DPI, but 300 is the safe default.
Why does my image look blurry when printed?
Almost always because the image has too few pixels for the print size, i.e. an effective DPI well below 300. The printer stretches each pixel to fill the paper, softening edges and text. Start from a higher-resolution source or print at a smaller size.
How do I convert an image size in pixels back to a print size?
Reverse the formula: inches = pixels ÷ DPI. For example, 1800 px ÷ 300 DPI = 6 inches. Multiply by 2.54 for centimeters. This tells you the largest size you can print an image at while keeping 300 DPI.
What is the difference between DPI and PPI?
DPI (dots per inch) describes a printer’s output, while PPI (pixels per inch) describes an image’s resolution. For this calculator they behave the same way — both tell you how many pixels map to one inch of physical size.
Does a bigger DPI make a better image?
Only up to a point. Going above 300 DPI adds pixels the eye cannot resolve on a normal print, making files larger with no visible benefit. Match the DPI to the destination — 300 for print, 96 for screen — rather than maximizing it.
Is this print size to pixels calculator 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 sizes and measurements stay on your device.