Convert centimeters to pixels at 72, 96, 150, or 300 DPI.
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Reference table — cm to pixels
| Centimeters | 72 DPI | 96 DPI | 150 DPI | 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 28 px | 38 px | 59 px | 118 px |
| 2 cm | 57 px | 76 px | 118 px | 236 px |
| 5 cm | 142 px | 189 px | 295 px | 591 px |
| 10 cm | 283 px | 378 px | 591 px | 1181 px |
| 15 cm | 425 px | 567 px | 886 px | 1772 px |
| 21 cm (A4 width) | 595 px | 794 px | 1240 px | 2480 px |
| 29.7 cm (A4 height) | 842 px | 1123 px | 1754 px | 3508 px |
| 50 cm | 1417 px | 1890 px | 2953 px | 5906 px |
About DPI
What is DPI and how does it affect pixels?
DPI stands for "dots per inch" — how many pixels fit into a physical inch (2.54 cm). The higher the DPI, the more pixels per inch, and the larger the pixel count for the same physical size. A 10 cm line renders as 378 pixels at 96 DPI but 1181 pixels at 300 DPI.
Screen DPI vs print DPI — what is the difference?
Screens use 96 DPI as the CSS reference (the web default since the 1990s). Modern retina displays render at higher physical density but the browser still treats 1 CSS pixel = 1/96 of an inch. Print uses 300 DPI (sometimes 150 DPI for drafts, 600 DPI for fine work) because printed ink dots are much smaller than screen pixels.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula to convert cm to pixels?
The formula is: px = cm ÷ 2.54 × DPI. First divide centimeters by 2.54 to get inches, then multiply by the DPI (pixels per inch) of your target output. Example: 10 cm at 96 DPI = 10 ÷ 2.54 × 96 = 378.0 px. Inverse formula: cm = px × 2.54 ÷ DPI.
Why is 96 DPI the default for web design?
The CSS specification defines 1 inch = 96 px at the default zoom level. This value comes from early Windows displays (where 1 logical inch ≈ 96 screen dots). Even on high-density retina screens, browsers preserve this mapping — a CSS pixel is always 1/96 of an inch, while the device renders it with multiple physical pixels for sharpness.
Which DPI should I pick for screen design vs print layout?
For web pages, app UIs, and anything viewed on a monitor or phone: use 96 DPI. For print projects (brochures, books, business cards): use 300 DPI for professional quality or 150 DPI for internal drafts. Large-format signage viewed from distance often uses 72–100 DPI even when printed.
How do I convert an A4 page to pixels?
A4 dimensions are 21 × 29.7 cm. At 96 DPI (screen preview): 794 × 1123 px. At 300 DPI (print-ready): 2480 × 3508 px. The print-ready version is required if you want the output to render sharply when printed at full size — a 794 px image scaled up to an A4 page would look pixelated.
Are pixels and CSS pixels the same thing?
Not always. A CSS pixel (px unit in stylesheets) is a logical unit defined as 1/96 of an inch. A device pixel is a physical dot on the hardware. On a standard display they match 1:1; on a retina display 1 CSS pixel = 2 or 3 device pixels. This converter returns CSS pixels, which is what you need for HTML/CSS layout work.
How do I convert pixels back to centimeters?
Use the inverse formula: cm = px × 2.54 ÷ DPI. For example, 500 px at 96 DPI = 500 × 2.54 ÷ 96 ≈ 13.23 cm. Knowing both directions is useful when matching on-screen mockups to real-world physical dimensions (business cards, stickers, labels).
This converter turns a centimeter measurement into pixels using the chosen DPI (dots per inch). Pick 96 DPI for web and UI work, 300 DPI for print-ready files, or enter a custom DPI for specialized workflows. The tool also shows the value in inches and lets you copy the pixel result with one click. Examples: an A4 page width (21 cm) equals 794 px at 96 DPI, which is the correct screen preview size; a button that needs to measure 1.5 cm on a printed flyer equals 57 px at 96 DPI for the screen mockup and 177 px at 300 DPI for the print artboard. Use the reference table for quick lookups at common DPI settings.