Typography Size Converter
Convert between different typography units including points, pixels, ems, inches, millimeters, and more. Essential for web design, print layout, and cross-platform typography work.
Base Unit: 1 Point [pt] = 1/72 in = 0.35278 mm = 1.333 px (at 96 DPI) = 0.083 em (16px base) = 0.083 rem = 0.08333 pc = 6.25% (of 16px) = 0.376 dd = 0.03133 cc ≈ 0.55 ex ≈ 0.55 ch
About This Typography Size Converter
Our Typography Size Converter provides precise conversions between different units used in typography and design. The tool is essential for web developers, graphic designers, print specialists, and anyone working with text across multiple platforms.
The converter uses exact conversion factors based on standard definitions, ensuring accurate results for both digital and print applications. All conversions are derived from the base unit of point (pt), the standard typographic measurement unit.
Key Features
Comprehensive Units
Convert between 13 different typography units including absolute units (pt, in, mm) and relative units (em, rem, %) for both print and screen.
Cross-Platform Support
Handles both traditional print typography and modern web/digital typography with precise conversions.
Real-time Conversion
See results instantly as you type or change units for seamless workflow integration in your design process.
Educational Reference
Learn about relationships between different type measurement systems used across design disciplines and platforms.
Why Choose Our Converter?
- Accuracy: Uses exact conversion factors based on industry standards
- Versatility: Covers both absolute and relative typographic units for all platforms
- User-Friendly: Clean interface with intuitive controls designed for daily use
- Responsive: Works perfectly on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
- No Installation: Web-based tool accessible from any browser without downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between points and pixels?
Points (pt) are traditionally used in print design and are a physical measurement unit, equal to 1/72 of an inch. Pixels (px), on the other hand, are used for screen display and represent a single dot on a digital screen. The conversion between them depends on the screen resolution, but at the standard 96 DPI (dots per inch) used in most systems, 1 point equals approximately 1.333 pixels.
How do em and rem units work?
Em units (em) are relative to the font size of the parent element. For example, if the parent element has a font size of 16px, then 1em equals 16px, 2em equals 32px, and so on. Root em units (rem) are similar but always relative to the root element (typically the <html> element) font size regardless of parent elements, providing more consistent scaling in complex layouts.
What are Didot points and Ciceros?
Didot points (dd) are traditional European typographic units still used in some European countries. They’re slightly larger than standard points (1 dd ≈ 0.376 mm vs 1 pt ≈ 0.353 mm). Ciceros (cc) are to Didot points what picas are to points: 1 cicero equals 12 Didot points. These units are primarily used in traditional European typography and publishing.
What’s the difference between ex and ch units?
Ex units (ex) are based on the x-height of the current font (roughly the height of lowercase letters). One ex is equal to the height of the lowercase ‘x’ in the current font. Character units (ch) are based on the width of the ‘0’ (zero) character in the current font. Both are font-relative measurements that can vary between different typefaces, making them useful for responsive typography that scales with the font.
When should I use relative vs. absolute units?
Absolute units (pt, in, mm, cm) are best for print design where physical dimensions matter. They’re consistent across all documents and don’t change based on context. Relative units (em, rem, %, ex, ch) are ideal for digital/web design as they scale based on the base font size or viewport, creating more accessible and responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes and user preferences. For web design, em/rem units are generally recommended for font sizes and spacing.