PX to CM Converter

Accurately convert PX to CM for digital and print designs with our comprehensive PX to CM converter. Ensure perfect sizing every time.

Pixels (PX) to Centimeters (CM)

We’re assuming the standard screen resolution of 96 DPI (Dots Per Inch)

PixelsCentimeters
1px0.02646cm
2px0.05291cm
3px0.07937cm
4px0.10583cm
5px0.13229cm
6px0.15875cm
8px0.21167cm
10px0.26458cm
12px0.31750cm
14px0.37041cm
16px0.42333cm
18px0.47625cm
20px0.52916cm
24px0.63499cm
28px0.74082cm
32px0.84665cm
36px0.95249cm
40px1.05832cm
44px1.16415cm
48px1.26998cm
50px1.32290cm
56px1.48565cm
64px1.69330cm
72px1.90095cm
80px2.10860cm
90px2.37573cm
100px2.64583cm

Centimeters (CM) to Pixels (PX)

CentimetersPixels
0.1cm3.77953px
0.2cm7.55906px
0.3cm11.33858px
0.4cm15.11811px
0.5cm18.89764px
0.6cm22.67717px
0.8cm30.23623px
1cm37.79528px
1.2cm45.35433px
1.4cm52.91339px
1.5cm56.69291px
1.6cm60.47244px
1.8cm68.03150px
2cm75.59055px
2.4cm90.70866px
2.8cm105.82677px
3cm113.38583px
3.2cm120.94488px
3.6cm136.06299px
4cm151.18110px
4.4cm166.29921px
4.8cm181.41732px
5cm188.97637px
5.6cm211.02362px
6.4cm241.88976px
7.2cm272.75591px
8cm303.62205px
9cm340.15748px
10cm377.95276px

What are PX in CSS?

In CSS, PX (pixels) is an absolute unit of measurement used to define the size of elements. Unlike relative units such as EM and REM, PX provides fixed, non-scaling values that don’t change relative to the parent or root element. Here’s a breakdown of PX and its use cases:

Definition of PX:

  • Pixels (PX): A pixel is a unit that corresponds to a single dot on a computer screen or display. In CSS, 1px represents one pixel of the display, regardless of screen resolution or size.
  • Fixed Size: Unlike EM and REM, which are relative units, PX is an absolute unit, meaning it sets a fixed size for an element, regardless of the context or surrounding elements.

Characteristics of PX:

  1. Absolute Measurement: PX provides an absolute value, meaning the size set using PX will remain the same, regardless of the surrounding environment or context (like parent elements).
  2. Non-Responsive: Since PX is an absolute unit, it doesn’t scale automatically based on the user’s screen size, resolution, or browser settings. For responsive designs, PX is often less flexible than relative units like REM or percentages.
  3. Precise Control: PX gives designers exact control over the sizing of elements. If you need a specific size, regardless of other factors, PX is a reliable option.
  4. Device-Dependent: While PX is considered an absolute unit, its actual size may vary slightly across devices with different screen densities (e.g., standard displays vs. Retina displays). Modern browsers and operating systems often use techniques like device pixel ratio (DPR) to ensure that CSS pixels render consistently on high-resolution displays.

Use Cases of PX:

  1. Precise Element Sizing: PX is ideal when you need exact dimensions for elements like buttons, icons, or images, where having fixed sizes is important for maintaining the design’s integrity.
    • Example: Setting a button’s width and height to 100px by 40px guarantees that the button will always be exactly that size, regardless of the device or browser.
  2. Design Consistency: When creating pixel-perfect layouts where the designer requires precise and consistent sizing across different browsers, PX ensures that all elements render exactly as specified.
    • Example: For logos, icons, or fixed headers and footers, where exact size and alignment are critical, PX ensures they appear as intended across different devices.
  3. Avoiding Scaling Issues: In some cases, using relative units like EM or REM might cause unintended scaling effects, especially in nested elements. PX can be used to avoid this issue by ensuring that elements remain fixed in size.
    • Example: When designing small interface elements like toolbars, status bars, or tiny UI components where scaling is undesirable, PX ensures the elements maintain their intended size.
  4. When Responsiveness Isn’t Critical: PX is useful for components that do not need to scale or adapt to different screen sizes or resolutions, such as fixed-width sidebars, pixel-perfect graphics, or print-like layouts.
    • Example: In some fixed-width websites or specific sections where responsive design is not necessary, PX allows for precise control without worrying about how the design will scale.

When to Avoid PX:

  1. Responsive Design: Since PX is an absolute unit, it doesn’t scale naturally with screen size or user preferences. For responsive design, using relative units like REM or percentages is generally better because they adjust based on the user’s device and settings.
  2. Accessibility: PX can limit accessibility since users who increase or decrease their browser’s default font size may not see changes in elements sized with PX. This can lead to issues with text readability or layout usability for users with visual impairments.
  3. Fluid Layouts: In modern web design, fluid and flexible layouts are more common, and PX can be rigid in comparison. For websites that need to adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions, relative units like REM or EM offer more flexibility.

Example of PX in CSS:

body {
font-size: 16px;
}

h1 {
font-size: 32px; /* Always 32px regardless of parent or screen size */
}

button {
width: 120px;
height: 40px;
padding: 10px;
}

Summary:

  • Advantages:
    • Provides exact control over element sizing.
    • Ideal for fixed-size elements like icons, logos, and buttons.
    • Useful in designs that require pixel-perfect accuracy.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Not responsive: Does not adjust automatically based on screen size or device.
    • Accessibility limitations: Does not scale with user settings or browser preferences.
    • Can lead to rigid designs that don’t adapt well to different environments.

In modern web development, while PX is still useful for certain fixed-size elements, it’s often used in combination with relative units like REM and EM to ensure both precision and responsiveness.

What are CM in CSS?

In CSS, CM (centimeters) is a physical unit of measurement, representing real-world centimeters. Like MM (millimeters), CM is part of the absolute unit family, used to define the size of elements in terms of actual physical dimensions. While CM is not commonly used in screen-based web design, it has specific use cases where exact physical measurements are required, such as in print styling.

Characteristics of CM:

  1. Absolute Physical Unit: CM is an absolute unit, meaning that 1cm corresponds to one centimeter in the real world. It is not influenced by the parent element or root font size, but rather it directly maps to physical dimensions.
  2. Device-Dependent Rendering: On screens, the mapping of 1cm to a physical centimeter may vary slightly due to differences in device resolutions and pixel densities. Browsers attempt to render a centimeter as accurately as possible, but the result may not be perfectly precise due to varying screen DPIs (dots per inch).
  3. Mainly for Print Media: CM, like MM and inches, is primarily used in print-specific CSS where precise physical measurements are required. This is because printed material (paper, documents) requires exact measurements to ensure proper layout and formatting.

Use Cases of CM:

  1. Print Layouts: CM is most commonly used in print-specific styles when designing layouts for printed documents, where dimensions must correspond to physical measurements. For example, documents, brochures, or posters that need to be printed at specific sizes.
    • Example: Defining the size of a printed page, such as setting an element to be 21cm wide (matching an A4 page width).
  2. Exact Real-World Dimensions: When creating designs that need to have specific real-world sizes, such as labels, packaging, or print prototypes, CM allows for accurate scaling and sizing.
    • Example: Designing a product label that must be exactly 10cm by 5cm.
  3. Physical Object Prototyping: CM can be useful when creating prototypes for physical objects or documents where the measurements need to match real-world sizes exactly.
    • Example: A blueprint for a design mockup that specifies distances between elements in centimeters to ensure they are accurate when printed.
  4. High-Precision Print Outputs: CM can be used to ensure that elements within a printed document have the precise dimensions required, such as margins, headers, footers, or images.
    • Example: Defining margins for a printable document where the top margin is 2cm and the bottom margin is 1.5cm.
  5. Use in Print Media Queries: CM is often used within print-specific CSS, especially in conjunction with media queries like @media print. This ensures that the design is optimized for physical printouts with exact sizing.
    • Example: Ensuring that a printed resume or report has defined margins and header sections that adhere to real-world measurements using CM.

Example of CM in CSS:

@media print {
body {
margin: 2cm; /* Sets a 2cm margin on all sides */
}

.document {
width: 21cm; /* Sets the width of the document to 21cm (A4 page width) */
height: 29.7cm; /* Sets the height to 29.7cm (A4 page height) */
}
}

Why CM Is Not Commonly Used on Screens:

  • Inaccuracy on Screens: Because screens have different resolutions and pixel densities, the size of 1cm might not always perfectly correspond to a real centimeter. Devices with high-DPI screens (like Retina displays) might render a CM larger or smaller than expected.
  • Lack of Responsiveness: CM is an absolute unit, which does not scale based on the screen size or resolution. For responsive web design, relative units like percentages, REM, and EM are preferred because they allow layouts to adapt to different devices and screen sizes.

Summary:

  • Advantages:
    • Provides exact physical dimensions in centimeters, useful for print media.
    • Ideal for creating precise layouts for print documents (e.g., brochures, posters, labels).
  • Disadvantages:
    • Inaccurate on screens: CM may not render perfectly on digital displays due to varying screen densities.
    • Not suitable for responsive web design: Relative units like REM, EM, and percentages are more suited for flexible, scalable designs on screens.

In conclusion, CM is mainly useful in CSS for print-specific layouts or projects requiring exact real-world measurements, while it is rarely used for screen-based web design due to its lack of flexibility and responsiveness.

PX vs CM

AspectPX (Pixels)CM (Centimeters)
DefinitionPX represents individual pixels on a screen, used as a unit of measurement in digital design.CM is a physical unit of measurement based on the metric system, primarily used for print design.
Usage ContextCommonly used in digital/web design for screen-based layouts and components.Used in print design or any scenario where physical measurements are needed (posters, flyers, etc.).
Measurement BasisRelative to screen resolution, varies by the device’s pixel density (DPI or PPI).A fixed, physical measurement based on the metric system, independent of screen resolution.
ScalabilityDoes not inherently scale across devices unless using responsive design techniques; pixel density affects appearance.Non-scalable and fixed, ensuring accurate, real-world sizing, making it ideal for physical print.
ConsistencyVaries by screen resolution, so the same PX value can appear differently on different devices.Provides consistency in physical dimensions, remains constant regardless of the medium.
ResponsivenessPX requires media queries or other responsive methods to adapt to different screen sizes.CM is not suitable for responsive design as it is a fixed measurement and does not adapt to screen changes.
PrecisionOffers precise control in digital layouts, especially for pixel-perfect designs in web and mobile environments.Used for accurate physical dimensions in print, but less flexible for digital use.
Common ApplicationsWeb and mobile design where pixel-level control and digital display adjustments are necessary.Print design (flyers, posters, business cards) where exact physical sizing is important.
ConversionNot directly convertible to physical units; depends on screen resolution (PPI or DPI).1 CM = 10mm = approximately 37.8 pixels at 96 DPI, though conversion depends on resolution.
Scaling BehaviorDependent on device resolution; the same pixel value can appear differently on high-DPI and low-DPI screens.Fixed unit in the metric system, providing consistency across all print mediums without scaling.
Examplewidth: 300px; /* 300 pixels, but size may vary across screens */width: 5cm; /* Always 5 centimeters in physical size */
Best Used ForDigital environments where control over screen elements and pixel-accurate design is needed.Print projects or any context where physical dimensions must be exact and measurable.

Use Cases of PX and CM

PX (pixels) and CM (centimeters) are absolute units in CSS, and each has distinct use cases depending on the design needs and the medium. Here’s an overview of their use cases:

Use Cases for PX (Pixels):

PX is one of the most commonly used CSS units for web design. It represents an absolute unit of measurement, where 1px is a fixed, non-scalable value. While PX units don’t scale with user preferences, they are reliable for maintaining precise control over design elements.

Pixel-Perfect Designs:

Use PX when you need precise control over the layout, ensuring that elements display exactly as intended on different devices. This is common for graphic-heavy designs, buttons, and icons where specific sizing is critical.

Example:

.icon {
width: 32px;
height: 32px;
}

Fixed-Width Layouts:

When creating fixed-width layouts (e.g., landing pages or banners) that need to maintain exact dimensions regardless of screen size or resolution, PX is often preferred. It ensures that elements remain the same size across different devices.

Example:

.container {
width: 960px;
}

Fonts with Fixed Sizes:

PX is often used for font sizes in specific elements where precise control is required, such as in logos, headings, or UI components where the font needs to remain consistent across different devices and browsers. However, PX can hinder accessibility if used too broadly in typography, as it doesn’t adapt to user settings.

Example:

h1 {
font-size: 36px;
}

Raster Images and Icon Sizing:

When dealing with raster images (PNG, JPG) or pixel-based icons, PX is ideal because images are based on pixels, and sizing them in PX ensures no distortion or scaling that could compromise image quality.

Example:

img {
width: 300px;
height: auto;
}

User Interface (UI) Components:

In UI design, many UI components (e.g., buttons, toolbars, form elements) are designed using PX values to ensure consistency across different browsers and screen resolutions, especially when maintaining pixel-perfect rendering is crucial.

Example:

.button {
padding: 10px 20px;
}

Legacy or Non-Responsive Designs:

Older websites or designs that aren’t responsive often use PX because it’s simple to implement and ensures consistent dimensions. Although this approach is not ideal for modern responsive designs, it can still be useful in controlled environments.

Use Cases for CM (Centimeters):

CM (centimeters) is an absolute unit that measures physical dimensions, typically used for print media or physical objects rather than digital displays. CM is rarely used in web design, but there are certain niche use cases where it can be valuable.

Print Media (CSS for Print):

CM is ideal when designing content that will be printed (e.g., invoices, flyers, or brochures), where you need exact physical dimensions for various elements. Using CM ensures that what is designed on screen will match the printed output’s size in physical form.

Example:

@media print {
body {
width: 21cm; /* Set the page width for A4 printing */
}
}

Printable Documents:

If a web page generates downloadable documents or elements that users will print (e.g., labels, forms, or posters), CM can be used to ensure that the dimensions match standard paper sizes or other physical specifications.

Example:

.label {
width: 5cm;
height: 3cm;
}

Prototyping Physical Interfaces:

In some cases, designers or developers working on interfaces for devices that have physical screens (e.g., smart kiosks, physical devices, or wearables) may use CM to ensure that the layout dimensions correspond exactly to real-world measurements.

SVG and Scalable Graphics for Print:

For SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) used in print or high-resolution displays, CM can help create designs that match exact physical sizes, which is important for printed posters, diagrams, or schematics where precise real-world dimensions are required.

Example:

svg {
width: 10cm;
height: 15cm;
}

Designing for Special Devices (Kiosks, Displays):

In rare cases, CM units might be useful for creating interfaces for specific physical devices, such as touchscreens or display panels, where real-world dimensions are critical to the design and user experience.

Summary: When to Use PX vs. CM

  • Use PX when:
    • You need precise, pixel-perfect control over the layout or specific elements.
    • You’re working on raster images, icons, or UI components that need to maintain fixed dimensions across devices.
    • The design is not responsive or you want elements to stay the same size regardless of screen scaling.
    • You need to ensure consistent sizing for buttons, icons, or small design elements across browsers and devices.
  • Use CM when:
    • You’re designing for print media (such as flyers, brochures, or printable documents) and need accurate, real-world physical measurements.
    • You need to prototype or design for physical interfaces or specialized devices where the dimensions correspond to actual sizes (e.g., touchscreen kiosks or wearables).
    • The design requires SVG graphics or other scalable elements that must fit specific physical dimensions in print.

In web design, PX is far more common for digital displays, while CM is mostly reserved for print or specialized real-world applications where physical size matters.

FAQ on PX to CM

How does a PX to CM converter work?

PX to CM converter calculates the physical size in centimeters from the digital size in pixels. It uses the formula: cm = pixels / (pixels per inch 2.54). This conversion depends on the PPI (Pixels Per Inch) or *DPI (Dots Per Inch) of your digital device.

Why do I need to convert pixels to centimeters?

Converting pixels to centimeters helps in printing digital images or designing graphics with accurate physical dimensions. It’s essential for ensuring that your digital artwork resizing matches the intended print size, avoiding any distortions or unexpected sizes in the final product.

What information do I need to convert pixels to centimeters?

You’ll need the image’s resolution in pixels and the PPI/DPI of the display or printer. This data allows you to calculate the physical size of your image in centimeters. Without correct pixel density, your conversion won’t be accurate.

Can I use any PX to CM converter for professional design?

Yes, but make sure the converter incorporates the correct PPI/DPI values. Quality PX to CM converter tools are crucial in fields like graphic design and print media where precise physical dimensions are important.

How accurate are online PX to CM converters?

Most online PX to CM converters are reliable, provided you input the correct PPI/DPI. For professional use, double-check with additional conversion tools to ensure accuracy. Verification helps in projects that require precise measurements.

Does the device’s screen resolution affect the conversion?

Yes, screen resolution and pixel density impact how pixels translate to physical measurements. Higher resolutions mean more pixels per inch, affecting the centimeter conversion. Always use accurate device-specific PPI/DPI for precise results.

What is the formula for converting pixels to centimeters?

The formula for converting pixels to centimeters is: cm = pixels / (PPI 2.54). Ensure you have the correct PPI (Pixels Per Inch) or *DPI value for your display or print medium to get accurate results. This calculation considers pixel density.

Are there apps for converting PX to CM?

Absolutely, many apps and software tools offer PX to CM conversion features. These apps often come with additional functionalities for image resizing and resolution adjustment, making them handy for designers and photographers who need quick, accurate conversions.

How do I convert PX to CM for print designs?

For print designs, first determine the print resolution (DPI). Input this value along with the pixel dimensions into a PX to CM converter. This ensures your printed image maintains the desired size and clarity, crucial for high-quality print outputs.

Why is understanding PX to CM conversion important?

Understanding this conversion is vital for maintaining the integrity of digital designs in prints. It ensures that artworks, photos, and graphics are reproduced at the correct scale. This knowledge is essential for anyone working with digital media design and print media.

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