Pixels to Inches Calculator

If you'd like to have a cloud-based calculator regularly available for converting pixels to inches, this tool is all you'll need.

The calculator comes pre-set to convert pixels to inches, you just have to add an amount to the field above.

Want inches to pixels? No problem! Just hit the swap button.

If you're interested in learning more about the actual conversion, read on.

According to Dictionary.com, pixels are the smallest element of an image processed on a digital display.

The word pixel is sort of a combination of the words "picture element."

History Of Pixels

The history of pixels can be dated all the way back to the early 1800s (sort of).

There's a long line of evolution from the first photograph to modern digital images.

It starts in the early 1800s with the first photograph, then moves on to the first color photograph, then the first television, and so on.

For the most part, the resolution of photographs and moving images were measured in lines. For example, the first mechanical television invented by John Logie Baird in 1926 had a resolution of 30 lines.

This continued even through CRT televisions and through the addition of color.

At some point, in the modern digital age, those lines of resolution were cut in half by more lines, thus creating pixels.

An inch is a unit that measures length and distance.

Learn about it's origin, uses, and conversion factors for inches.

There is no set size of a pixel.

A pixel can be of various shape and size depending on the display. But still, pixels are a unit of measurement used for digital displays.

Think of it like a dot. When you see a whole image on your computer monitor, for example, it is a clear and full image.

When you zoom in closer, you'll start to see dots. These individual dots, each containing their own color are pixels, and they come together to make up a whole image.

Pixel density, or resolution, is a number that can be measured more accurately.

It is the number of pixels on any given display, which we will discuss next.

In order to understand the pixels to inch conversion, we also need to understand dots per inch (DPI) and pixels per inch (PPI).

DPI and PPI

DPI can help us understand the resolution of a printed image as it measures the dots of ink on a printed piece of paper.

PPI, on the other hand, measures a digital image's pixel dimensions.

Sometimes, DPI and PPI are used interchangeably but think of DPI as physical and PPI as digital.

Equations

Now let's look at the equations.

If you already know the pixels and DPI or PPI and want to know what the pixels are in inches, then:

Inches = Pixels / DPI or Pixels / PPI

If you already have inches and know the DPI or PPI, then the formula for determining the pixels is:

Pixels = Inches x DPI or Inches x PPI

As mentioned earlier, our converter is pre-set to the standard for web graphics, at 96 PPI. But with this information, you're set to do conversions for any type of screen size or image resolution.

Let's use the example of an iPhone 7 Plus.

Step One

If we wanted to know how many inches the display of an iPhone 7 Plus is, we'd have to know it's PPI.

In this case, according to Apple's specifications, it's 401 PPI.

Step Two

Then, we'll need to know the pixel measurements in both width and height. The iPhone 7 Plus is 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels.

Step Three

Therefore, our equation would be:

So, an Apple iPhone 7 Plus will be 4.8 inches in height by 2.7 inches in width.

In fact, if you own an iPhone 7 Plus, pull it out, grab some measuring tape, and see for yourself!

Inches to Pixel Example

Let's say you have a printed image (maybe a photograph) and want to know what the pixels would be when scanned.

Step One

Let's say the image is 8.5 inches by 11 inches, which is the standard size of a typical piece of printer paper.

Let's say that you also know the DPI of the printer used to print the photo is 600 DPI.

Step Two

Our equation would be:

Therefore, your scanned image of the photograph would be 5,100 pixels by 6,600 pixels.

Pixels to inch conversions can be helpful if you need to see what an image will look like on a different screen or monitor.

Presentations

Say you have a presentation coming up, and you'd like to see how an image will look like when blown up to a larger display.

You want your presentation to be as professional looking as possible, so you want to maintain the clarity of the image.

Print Quality

Also, when you scan or print an image, you may need to occasionally see your pixels in inches.

Prints come in a variety of sizes, usually noted in inches.

Re-Sizing

If you're changing the size of the image, whether printing it to a smaller format (a piece of paper) or blowing it up to a larger display (projecting), you need to make sure you stay true to the resolution.

Continuing Calculations

Hopefully, if you were wondering how to convert pixels to inches or were just looking for a pixels to inches calculator, you found what you were looking for.

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There are a lot of calculations out there that people need whether for financial or technical reasons. Sometimes, a simple calculator is all you need to help get the job done.