20 cm equals approximately 189.0 dpi.
This conversion comes from understanding that dpi (dots per inch) measures resolution, representing how many dots fit in one inch, while cm (centimeter) is a unit of length. Converting cm to dpi involves converting centimeters to inches first, then multiplying by dpi.
Conversion Tool
Result in dpi:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert centimeters to dpi is:
dpi = (cm / 2.54) × dpi_per_inch
Where 2.54 cm equals 1 inch, so you convert centimeters to inches first, then multiply by the dpi value, which often is 96 dpi for screens.
Example calculation for 20 cm:
- Convert 20 cm to inches: 20 ÷ 2.54 ≈ 7.874 inches.
- Multiply by dpi (96 dpi): 7.874 × 96 = 755.9 dpi.
Note: The earlier paragraph shows 189 dpi because it assumes a different dpi setting. If 96 dpi is standard, 20 cm converts to about 755.9 dpi. The 189 dpi result comes from a dpi of 9.45, which is unusual for screens but may be used in some printing contexts.
Conversion Example
- 10 cm:
- 10 ÷ 2.54 = 3.937 inches.
- 3.937 × 96 = 378.0 dpi.
- 5 cm:
- 5 ÷ 2.54 = 1.968 inches.
- 1.968 × 96 = 189.0 dpi.
- 15 cm:
- 15 ÷ 2.54 = 5.906 inches.
- 5.906 × 96 = 566.9 dpi.
- 25 cm:
- 25 ÷ 2.54 = 9.843 inches.
- 9.843 × 96 = 945.0 dpi.
- 30 cm:
- 30 ÷ 2.54 = 11.811 inches.
- 11.811 × 96 = 1,133.9 dpi.
Conversion Chart
| cm | dpi (at 96 dpi per inch) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | -189.0 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 5.0 | 189.0 |
| 10.0 | 378.0 |
| 15.0 | 566.9 |
| 20.0 | 755.9 |
| 25.0 | 945.0 |
| 30.0 | 1,133.9 |
| 35.0 | 1,322.9 |
| 40.0 | 1,511.8 |
| 45.0 | 1,700.8 |
Read the table by finding the centimeter value on the left, then seeing its equivalent dpi value on the right. This helps quickly find dpi from cm without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many dpi equals 20 centimeters in print resolution?
- What is the dpi value for a 20 cm width image?
- How to convert 20 cm measurement into dpi for screen display?
- Is 20 cm equivalent to 189 dpi or more for digital images?
- How does 20 cm translate to dpi in printer settings?
- What dpi corresponds to 20 cm at 300 dpi printing?
- Can I calculate dpi from 20 cm using a simple formula?
Conversion Definitions
cm: Centimeter is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one hundredth of a meter. It is commonly used worldwide for measuring smaller distances like the size of objects, dimensions, or height. The symbol for centimeter is cm.
dpi: Dots per inch measures the resolution of printed or displayed images. It counts how many individual dots can fit into one inch. Higher dpi means more detail and sharper images. It is often used in printing and digital imaging contexts.
Conversion FAQs
Can dpi values change depending on device or context?
Yes, dpi can vary between devices such as monitors, printers, or scanners. A screen may have a fixed dpi like 96, but printers often use higher dpi for finer quality. So, converting cm to dpi sometimes needs context about the device’s dpi settings.
Why is the cm to dpi conversion not a fixed number?
Because dpi depends on dots per inch, which varies with device or media. The formula converts length to inches, but dpi represents density of dots, so without knowing dpi per inch used, the conversion result can differ.
Is dpi the same as ppi (pixels per inch)?
No, dpi and ppi are related but not identical. Ppi refers to pixels on a digital screen, while dpi refers to dots in printed output. Sometimes terms overlap, but dpi usually describes printing resolution, ppi the digital resolution.
Can negative cm values be converted to dpi?
Mathematically, negative lengths convert to negative dpi, but in real world negative sizes don’t exist. Negative dpi values have no practical meaning and are only theoretical results of the formula.
How accurate is the conversion from cm to dpi?
The accuracy depends on the dpi value used for multiplication. The cm to inch conversion is exact, but dpi varies, so the final dpi result depends on device resolution or printing settings. Always specify dpi for precision.