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How do you change pixels to inches in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Basics 3 mins read

To change pixels to inches in Photoshop, you need to adjust the image resolution and dimensions within the Image Size dialog box. Here's how:

  1. Open your image: In Photoshop, go to File > Open and select the image you want to work with.

  2. Access the Image Size dialog box: Go to Image > Image Size.

  3. Change the units: In the Image Size dialog box, find the "Width" and "Height" fields. Next to these fields, there is likely a dropdown menu currently displaying "pixels" or "px". Click this dropdown menu and select "inches".

  4. Set your desired dimensions in inches: Now you can enter the desired width and height in inches.

  5. Adjust Resolution: The "Resolution" field determines how many pixels per inch (ppi) your image will have. A higher resolution means more detail, but also a larger file size. The standard resolution for print is often 300 ppi. Lower resolutions (like 72 ppi) are suitable for web use. Adjust the resolution as needed.

  6. Resampling Options (Important): Pay close attention to the "Resample" option at the bottom of the Image Size dialog. Here are a few common scenarios:

    • If you want to change the print size without changing the total number of pixels in your image: Make sure "Resample" is unchecked. This will change the resolution value. If you increase the size in inches, the resolution will decrease, and vice versa. The total pixel dimensions will remain the same, but the size it prints at, and its suitability for print will change.

    • If you want to change the number of pixels in your image (making it larger or smaller in terms of total pixels): Make sure "Resample" is checked. The dropdown menu next to "Resample" offers different resampling methods. "Bicubic Automatic" is a good starting point. Other options include "Bicubic Smoother" (best for enlargement) and "Bicubic Sharper" (best for reduction). Experiment to see which method gives you the best results for your specific image. Be aware that increasing the number of pixels through resampling (upscaling) can introduce blurriness, especially if you significantly increase the pixel count.

  7. Click OK: Once you have set the desired dimensions in inches and adjusted the resolution and resampling options as needed, click "OK" to apply the changes.

Now, when you go back to the Image > Image Size dialog, the width and height will be displayed in inches.

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