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Online Ruler - Measure On Screen

Turn your phone or computer screen into a ruler. Measure objects in inches and centimeters directly on screen, with optional credit-card calibration for extra accuracy.

How to Calculate & Formula Details

Mathematical Model FormulaDefault scale uses the CSS specification of 96px = 1 logical inch. Calibration mode recalculates px-per-inch from a known 3.370in credit card width.

This tool turns your phone, tablet, or computer screen into a ruler you can hold up to a real object, showing accurate inch and centimeter markings.

Why Calibration Matters

Browsers don't expose your screen's true physical size, so by default this ruler uses the CSS specification's assumption of 96 pixels per inch, which is reasonably accurate on many laptop and desktop monitors at 100% browser zoom, but can be noticeably off on phones, tablets, and high-resolution displays.

One-Tap Credit Card Calibration

For an exact match on your specific device, tap Calibrate and hold any standard credit or debit card (which are a standardized 3.370 inches wide worldwide) up to the on-screen rectangle. Use the +/- buttons to nudge it until it matches your card exactly, then save - your calibration is remembered on this device for next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on both phones and computers?

Yes. The same credit-card calibration method works on any screen, since it measures your specific screen's actual pixel density rather than relying on the device type.

How accurate is it without calibrating?

The default scale assumes 96 pixels per logical inch, the standard used by CSS. This is often close on desktop monitors at default zoom, but can be meaningfully off on phones and high-DPI screens, so calibrating with a card is recommended for precise measurements.

Why does zooming my browser affect accuracy?

Zooming in or out changes how many physical pixels represent one logical CSS pixel, which shifts the ruler's real-world scale. Keep your browser at 100% zoom, or recalibrate after changing zoom level, for the most accurate results.

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