PT to PX Converter
Convert typography points to pixels for web design and development
PT to PX Calculator
Points (pt) are print-based units where 1 point equals 1/72 of an inch, while pixels (px) are screen-based units. The conversion depends on screen resolution (DPI - dots per inch). At the standard resolution of 96 DPI, 1 point equals 1.333 pixels (96 ÷ 72).
Conversion Result
Formula: Pixels = Points × (DPI ÷ 72)
Example: 12pt × (96 ÷ 72) = 16px
DPI Comparison
See how this value converts at different screen resolutions:
| Screen Type | DPI | Point Value | Pixel Value |
|---|
Batch Converter
Convert multiple point values at once. Enter values separated by spaces, commas, or new lines.
Batch Results
| Points | Pixels | CSS Code |
|---|
Common PT to PX Conversions
Reference table for common typography sizes at standard 96 DPI:
| Common Use | Points (pt) | Pixels (px) | CSS Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Print | 7.5pt | 10px | font-size: 10px; /* 7.5pt */ |
| Small Text | 9pt | 12px | font-size: 12px; /* 9pt */ |
| Standard Body Text | 12pt | 16px | font-size: 16px; /* 12pt */ |
| Subheading | 15pt | 20px | font-size: 20px; /* 15pt */ |
| Heading | 18pt | 24px | font-size: 24px; /* 18pt */ |
| Large Heading | 24pt | 32px | font-size: 32px; /* 24pt */ |
| Title | 36pt | 48px | font-size: 48px; /* 36pt */ |
| Display Title | 48pt | 64px | font-size: 64px; /* 48pt */ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Converting from points to pixels is useful in several design and development scenarios:
Common Reasons to Convert PT to PX
- Print to Web Transition - When adapting print designs (which typically use points) for web implementation (which typically uses pixels)
- Design Software to Code - When transitioning from design software that uses points (like Adobe InDesign) to web development using pixels
- Consistent Typography - To ensure text appears at the intended size across both print and digital media
- Legacy Document Conversion - When converting older documents or specifications that use points to modern web standards
- Cross-Media Publishing - For maintaining visual consistency when content appears in multiple formats
Practical Applications
In practical terms, this conversion is most often used for:
- Converting typography specifications from print design to web development
- Implementing digital versions of printed materials (like brochures or reports)
- Adapting brand guidelines that specify font sizes in points for digital use
- Creating consistent cross-platform documents that work in both print and digital formats
When working with designers who come from a print background, you may receive specifications in points. Converting these values to pixels helps implement these designs accurately for digital platforms while maintaining the intended visual proportions.
For web design, pixels are generally preferred over points, though each has its place:
Why Pixels Are Preferred for Web Design
- Screen-Native Units - Pixels are the native unit for digital screens, providing consistent rendering across devices
- Direct Mapping - One CSS pixel maps directly to one device-independent pixel
- Browser Consistency - Browsers render pixel values more consistently than point values
- Developer Standard - Most web developers and CSS frameworks use pixels as the default measurement unit
- Responsive Design - Pixels work well with media queries and other responsive design techniques
When Points Might Be Appropriate
- Print Stylesheets - When creating stylesheets specifically for printing web content (
@media print) - Email Templates - Some email clients render point-sized fonts more predictably
- PDF Generation - When creating PDFs from web content where physical dimensions matter
- Cross-Media Publishing - For content that will appear both digitally and in print
Recommended approach for modern web development:
/* For screen */
body {
font-size: 16px; /* Base font size in pixels */
}
h1 {
font-size: 2rem; /* Relative to base font size */
}
/* For print */
@media print {
body {
font-size: 12pt; /* Base font size in points */
}
h1 {
font-size: 18pt;
}
}
For modern web design, consider using a pixel base size with relative units like rem or em for scalable typography. This gives you the best of both worlds: pixel precision with the flexibility to scale based on user preferences.
DPI (Dots Per Inch) significantly affects the conversion between points and pixels:
Understanding the Impact of DPI
Since points are physical units (1/72 of an inch) and pixels are screen units, the relationship between them depends entirely on the screen's DPI:
| DPI Setting | 12pt in Pixels | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 72 DPI (Classic Mac) | 12px | 12 × (72 ÷ 72) = 12 |
| 96 DPI (Standard Windows) | 16px | 12 × (96 ÷ 72) = 16 |
| 120 DPI (High DPI) | 20px | 12 × (120 ÷ 72) = 20 |
| 144 DPI (Retina) | 24px | 12 × (144 ÷ 72) = 24 |
Historical DPI Context
- 72 DPI - Classic Macintosh displays where 1pt = 1px, making the conversion simple
- 96 DPI - Traditional Windows standard where 12pt = 16px, became the web standard
- Modern DPI Values - High-resolution displays can have effective DPI values of 144, 192, or higher
Practical Implications
- The same point size will result in different pixel sizes depending on the device's DPI
- High-DPI displays will render point-based measurements larger than standard displays
- Content designed at 96 DPI may appear small when viewed at 72 DPI (1.33× smaller)
- Content designed at 96 DPI may appear large when viewed at 144 DPI (1.5× larger)
When working with precise layouts that must maintain their physical dimensions, be sure to account for the target device's DPI. For web development targeting multiple devices, using relative units (em, rem, %) is generally more reliable than fixed units like points or even pixels.
Points, picas, and pixels form an interconnected system of measurements, each with its own place in design:
The Typographic Measurement System
| Unit | Definition | Equivalent Values |
|---|---|---|
| Point (pt) | 1/72 of an inch | 1pt = 1/12 pica 1pt = 1.333px (at 96 DPI) |
| Pica (pc) | 1/6 of an inch | 1pc = 12pt 1pc = 16px (at 96 DPI) |
| Pixel (px) | One display unit on screen | 1px = 0.75pt (at 96 DPI) 1px = 0.0625pc (at 96 DPI) |
| Inch (in) | Physical inch measurement | 1in = 72pt 1in = 6pc 1in = 96px (at 96 DPI) |
Conversion Reference at 96 DPI
Points to other units:
- Points to Pixels: multiply by 1.333 (or multiply by DPI/72)
- Points to Picas: divide by 12
- Points to Inches: divide by 72
Pixels to other units:
- Pixels to Points: multiply by 0.75 (or multiply by 72/DPI)
- Pixels to Picas: divide by 16 (at 96 DPI)
- Pixels to Inches: divide by 96 (at 96 DPI)
Historical Context
These relationships stem from centuries of printing tradition:
- Points and picas were standardized in the late 18th century for typography
- The digital point was defined as exactly 1/72 inch by Adobe and Apple in the 1980s
- The standard 96 DPI for Windows was chosen to make text more readable on screen
Understanding the relationship between these units is particularly valuable when working across different media. While points and picas are optimized for print, pixels are designed for screens. The key to successful cross-media design is knowing how to translate between these systems while maintaining visual consistency.
About Point Units
The point (pt) is a traditional unit of measurement used in typography and print design. One point equals 1/72 of an inch, making it ideal for specifying text sizes and other elements that need consistent physical dimensions.
Key Facts About Points
-
Print Standard: Used as the primary unit for typography for centuries
-
Digital Definition: 1pt = 1/72 inch (from Adobe PostScript)
-
Typography Focus: Standard unit for font sizes in traditional printing
-
Digital Conversion: At standard screen resolution (96 DPI), 1 point ≈ 1.333 pixels
Points have been used for centuries in typography, with the modern digital point standardized by Adobe and Apple in the 1980s as exactly 1/72 of an inch.
CSS Usage Examples
Points in CSS are typically used for print-specific stylesheets:
/* Web styles using pixels */
body {
font-size: 16px;
}
h1 {
font-size: 32px;
margin-bottom: 16px;
}
/* Print styles using points */
@media print {
body {
font-size: 12pt;
line-height: 1.2;
}
h1 {
font-size: 24pt;
margin-bottom: 12pt;
}
h2 {
font-size: 18pt;
margin-bottom: 10pt;
}
h3 {
font-size: 14pt;
margin-bottom: 8pt;
}
/* Hide screen-only elements */
.screen-only {
display: none;
}
/* Set page margins */
@page {
margin: 0.5in;
}
/* Control page breaks */
h1, h2 {
page-break-after: avoid;
}
img, table {
page-break-inside: avoid;
}
}For screen display, pixels or relative units (em, rem) are generally preferred over points. Use points primarily for print stylesheets to ensure consistent physical sizing when printed.