When you’re designing a banner, resizing a photo, building a website layout, or preparing a print file, you’ll run into one common question: how do you convert inches to px? The answer looks simple at first, but it depends on one key detail—pixel density.
Pixels (px) are screen-based units. Inches are physical units. The bridge between them is PPI (pixels per inch). Once you know the PPI you’re working with, conversion becomes straightforward.
What Does “Px” Mean?
A pixel is the smallest visible dot on a digital screen. Screens show images by lighting up many pixels in a grid. The more pixels you have per inch, the sharper things look.
That’s why inches to px isn’t a fixed value across all devices and projects. A phone, a laptop, and a 4K monitor can show the same “inch” of space using different numbers of pixels.
The Only Formula You Need
To convert inches to px, use this:
Pixels = Inches × PPI
So if you know your size in inches and your project’s PPI, you can calculate pixels instantly.
PPI vs DPI (Don’t Let This Confuse You)
People often mix up PPI and DPI.
-
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) is for screens and digital images.
-
DPI (Dots Per Inch) is for printers.
Many design tools use DPI as a setting even when you’re working with digital images. For practical conversion work, treat it the same way when you’re doing inches to px calculations in image editors.
Common Inch-to-Pixel Conversions
Here are quick conversions at popular PPIs used in design work.
At 72 PPI (older screen standard)
-
1 inch = 72 px
-
2 inches = 144 px
-
5 inches = 360 px
-
10 inches = 720 px
At 96 PPI (common web reference)
-
1 inch = 96 px
-
2 inches = 192 px
-
5 inches = 480 px
-
10 inches = 960 px
At 300 PPI (print-quality images)
-
1 inch = 300 px
-
2 inches = 600 px
-
5 inches = 1500 px
-
10 inches = 3000 px
If you’re sizing for print, 300 PPI is a common target. If you’re sizing for web, many people use 96 PPI as a reference, even though real devices vary.
Real Examples of Inches to Px
Example 1: A 6-inch wide image at 300 PPI
6 × 300 = 1800 px
So your image should be 1800 px wide.
Example 2: A 3.5-inch design at 96 PPI
3.5 × 96 = 336 px
So 3.5 inches becomes 336 px at 96 PPI.
Example 3: An A4 width in pixels (8.27 inches) at 300 PPI
8.27 × 300 = 2481 px (rounded)
So A4 width becomes about 2481 px at 300 PPI.
When Should You Use 72, 96, or 300?
This is where people get stuck. Here’s a simple way to decide:
Use 96 PPI when:
-
You’re working on web graphics, UI mockups, or simple screen layouts
-
You’re sizing assets for online use
-
You want a practical baseline for quick inches to px conversions
Use 300 PPI when:
-
You’re designing for print (flyers, posters, packaging, cards)
-
You need sharp results on paper
-
You’re exporting high-resolution images
Use 72 PPI when:
-
You’re dealing with older workflows or legacy templates
-
A tool or template is locked to 72 PPI
(For most new work, 72 is not the best default.)
Inches to Px in Popular Tools
Photoshop
-
You can set the document size in inches and choose resolution (PPI).
-
Photoshop calculates pixels automatically.
-
If you change the resolution, pixel size changes unless you lock dimensions.
Canva
-
Canva works mainly in pixels.
-
For print, Canva exports at high resolution, but you’ll still want to know your pixel target if you’re importing images.
Figma
-
Figma uses pixels as its main unit.
-
The “inch” idea depends on output and screen scaling, so treat inches to px here as a planning tool, not a physical guarantee.
WordPress / Web Uploads
-
Websites mostly care about pixel dimensions.
-
If you upload an image designed in inches, you still need a pixel size that fits your theme layout.
Why Inches to Px Can Look Different on Different Screens
A 500 px image may look physically larger on one screen and smaller on another. That’s normal. Screens have different pixel densities.
So inches to px is best used for:
-
setting image resolution targets
-
preparing print files
-
designing consistent digital layouts
It is not a perfect way to guarantee physical size across all screens.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1) Guessing the PPI
If you don’t know the PPI, your conversion is just a guess. Always choose a PPI based on your goal (web vs print).
2) Using low-res images for print
If you convert inches to px using a low PPI (like 72 or 96) and then print it big, it’ll look blurry.
3) Confusing “display size” with “file size”
Two images can both be 1000 px wide but have different PPI values. On screens, PPI metadata often doesn’t matter. In print workflows, it does.
4) Stretching images after conversion
If you resize up too much after converting, quality drops. Always start with the pixel size you need.
Quick Cheat Sheet
To convert inches to px quickly:
-
Web sizing: use 96 PPI
-
Print sizing: use 300 PPI
-
Formula: Pixels = Inches × PPI
That’s it.
FAQs
Is inches to px always the same?
No. inches to px depends on PPI. Different screens and projects use different pixel densities.
What PPI should I use for web images?
Many people use 96 PPI as a reference. Real devices vary, but pixel dimensions matter more than PPI metadata for web.
What PPI should I use for printing?
A common choice is 300 PPI for sharp prints.
How many pixels is 2 inches?
It depends on PPI:
-
At 96 PPI: 2 inches = 192 px
-
At 300 PPI: 2 inches = 600 px
Final Thoughts
Once you understand the role of PPI, converting inches to px becomes simple. Use the formula, pick the right PPI for your job, and you’ll get pixel dimensions that match your needs—whether you’re building for screens or preparing a clean print file.
