What is the difference between a point (pt) and a pixel (px)?

A point is a physical unit of measurement used in print, equal to 1/72 of an inch. A pixel is a relative unit used for screens, representing a single dot of light. The conversion depends on the screen's DPI (dots per inch).

How do you convert points to pixels?

At a standard screen resolution of 96 DPI, multiply points by 1.333. Formula: px = pt × (DPI / 72). For 96 DPI, px = pt × 1.333. Find more formulas in our Units Guide.

What are 'em' and 'rem' units in CSS?

'em' is a scalable unit relative to the font-size of its parent element. 'rem' (root em) is relative to the font-size of the root (html) element, making it more predictable for global sizing.

A pica is a traditional typography unit. One pica is equal to 12 points, and there are 6 picas in an inch. It's still used in print design for measuring column widths and margins.

What font size is best for website body text?

For readability, the standard recommendation for website body text is a minimum of 16px. This ensures the text is legible on most devices and for most users.

Is this typography converter free to use?

Yes, this tool is completely free for designers, developers, and typographers. Discover more free tools at UnitConvertNow.

Typography Converter

Convert between points, pixels, ems, picas, and other typography units

From

Print Typography Standards

Body Text

Books: 9-12 pt • Magazines: 8-11 pt • Newspapers: 8-9 pt

Headings

H1: 18-24 pt • H2: 14-18 pt • H3: 12-16 pt • Subheads: 10-14 pt

Captions & Notes

Captions: 7-9 pt • Footnotes: 6-8 pt • Fine print: 6-7 pt

Traditional Units

1 pica = 12 points • 6 picas = 1 inch • 72 points = 1 inch

Digital Typography Guidelines

Web Standards

Body: 16px (1em) • Small: 14px • Large: 18-20px • Headers: 24-48px

Mobile Responsive

Min body: 16px • Touch targets: 44px+ • Line height: 1.4-1.6

CSS Units

px: absolute • em: relative to parent • rem: relative to root

High DPI Displays

Retina: 2× pixel density • Consider em/rem over px for scaling

About Typography Units

Typography units are specialized measurement systems used in printing, publishing, digital design, and web development to specify font sizes, line spacing, margins, and layout dimensions. These units ensure consistent text appearance and readability across different media, devices, and platforms.

What Are Typography Units?

Typography units are standardized measurements that define the size and spacing of text elements. They evolved from traditional printing practices and have been adapted for digital media. The fundamental principle is that text must be legible and aesthetically pleasing regardless of the medium or device.

The relationship between typography units follows mathematical principles: 1 inch = 72 points = 6 picas = 96 pixels (at 96 DPI). This standardization ensures that a 12-point font appears the same size across different printing presses and digital displays.

Common Typography Units and Conversions

Unit	Symbol	Definition	Conversion to Points	Use Case
Point	pt	1/72 inch	1 pt	Print design, iOS development
Pica	pc	12 points	12 pt	Column widths, margins
Pixel	px	1/96 inch (96 DPI)	0.75 pt	Web design, digital interfaces
Em	em	Relative to font size	Variable	CSS, responsive design
Rem	rem	Relative to root font	Variable	Modern CSS, accessibility
Inch	in	2.54 cm	72 pt	Print layout, physical measurements

Typography Unit Categories

Absolute Units

Fixed measurements that don't change regardless of context or device.

• Points (pt): 1/72 inch, standard for print
• Pixels (px): Screen dots, device-dependent
• Inches (in): Physical measurement
• Millimeters (mm): Metric system
• Centimeters (cm): Larger metric units

Relative Units

Measurements that scale based on parent elements or viewport.

• Em (em): Relative to parent font size
• Rem (rem): Relative to root font size
• Percentage (%): Relative to parent element
• Viewport width (vw): 1% of viewport width
• Viewport height (vh): 1% of viewport height

Typography Measurement Tools

Professional typography measurement requires specialized tools and techniques to ensure accuracy across different media.

Print Measurement Tools

• Pica ruler: Traditional metal ruler with pica and point measurements
• Type gauge: Transparent overlay for measuring font sizes
• Digital calipers: Precise measurement of printed samples
• Print proofing: Physical samples for size verification

Digital Measurement Tools

• Browser developer tools: Real-time measurement and testing
• Design software rulers: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch
• Mobile device testing: Physical device verification
• Accessibility checkers: WCAG compliance testing

Typography Unit Conversion Formulas

Understanding the mathematical relationships between typography units is essential for accurate conversions.

Core Conversion Formulas

1 inch = 72 points = 6 picas = 96 pixels (96 DPI)

1 pica = 12 points = 16 pixels (96 DPI)

1 point = 1.333 pixels (96 DPI)

1 em = current font size

1 rem = root font size (usually 16px)

Typography Units in Different Industries

Industry	Primary Units	Typical Sizes	Use Cases
Book Publishing	Points, picas	9-12 pt body, 18-24 pt headings	Novels, textbooks, reference books
Web Design	Pixels, rem, em	16px body, 24-48px headings	Websites, applications, interfaces
Mobile Development	dp (Android), pt (iOS)	16dp body, 20-32dp headings	Mobile apps, responsive design
Magazine Design	Points, picas	8-11 pt body, 14-18 pt headings	Periodicals, catalogs, brochures
Technical Documentation	Points, millimeters	10-12 pt body, 14-16 pt headings	Manuals, specifications, reports

Typography Unit Relationships and Scaling

Understanding how typography units scale and relate to each other is crucial for creating consistent designs across different platforms.

Scaling Principles

Print to Digital: 1 point = 1.333 pixels (at 96 DPI standard)

Responsive Design: Use rem units for scalable typography

Accessibility: Minimum 16px (1rem) for body text ensures readability

Vertical Rhythm: Use consistent line-height ratios (1.4-1.6) for optimal reading

Why Typography Unit Measurement Matters

Accurate typography measurement is essential for professional design, user experience, and accessibility compliance.

Professional Standards

• Print consistency: Ensures identical appearance across different printing presses
• Brand integrity: Maintains visual consistency across all media
• Legal compliance: Meets accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1)
• International standards: Follows ISO typography guidelines

User Experience

• Readability: Optimal font sizes for different reading distances
• Accessibility: Supports users with visual impairments
• Cross-platform: Consistent experience across devices
• Performance: Efficient rendering and loading times

Frequently Asked Questions About Typography Units

What is the best unit for web typography?

For modern web design, rem units are recommended for font sizes as they scale with user preferences and provide consistent sizing relative to the root element. Use pixels for borders and small decorative elements.

How do I convert between print and digital units?

Use the formula: pixels = points × (DPI ÷ 72). At standard 96 DPI, multiply points by 1.333. For high-DPI displays, use device pixel ratio for accurate conversion.

What's the difference between em and rem?

Em units are relative to the parent element's font size, while rem units are relative to the root (html) element's font size. Rem units provide more predictable scaling and are preferred for modern CSS.

Professional Tip

Always test typography measurements across multiple devices and screen densities. Use browser developer tools to verify font rendering and ensure your typography scales appropriately for different user preferences and accessibility needs.