How font-size units convert
px, pt, and pc are all fixed fractions of an inch, so each one converts to another through a constant ratio — no context (screen DPI, viewport) needed.
- px — pixel — 1/96 of an inch (CSS reference pixel)
- pt — point — 1/72 of an inch (used in print and design apps)
- pc — pica — 12 points, 1/6 of an inch
Common values
| Value (px) | Result |
|---|---|
| 1.6 px | 1.2 pt |
| 4 px | 3 pt |
| 8 px | 6 pt |
| 16 px | 12 pt |
| 24 px | 18 pt |
| 32 px | 24 pt |
| 48 px | 36 pt |
| 80 px | 60 pt |
| 160 px | 120 pt |
More detail
Why 16px = 12pt
Since 1pt = 96/72 px = 4/3 px, 12pt × 4/3 = 16px exactly. That's why browsers' default body text (16px) matches the traditional print default of 12pt — enter 12 with From = pt and To = px above to confirm.
Design handoff. Print and design tools (Illustrator, InDesign, PDF) typically size type in pt; CSS sizes it in px. Multiply a pt value by 4/3 to get the matching px value, or use the fields above.
Frequently asked questions
How many pixels is 12pt?
12pt = 16px, because 1pt = 4/3 px (96px and 72pt both equal 1 inch). Set Value = 12, From = pt, To = px above to see it computed.
How many points is 1 pica?
1 pica (pc) = 12pt exactly, since a pica is defined as 12 points. Set From = pc, To = pt with Value = 1 to confirm.
Why does CSS use 96px per inch?
The CSS specification (W3C CSS Values and Units Module Level 4) fixes the reference pixel at 1/96 inch so px, pt (1/72 in), and pc (1/6 in) all convert through simple, screen-independent ratios — not actual physical inches on most displays.
What's the browser default font size in points?
Browsers default to 16px, which equals 12pt (16 × 3/4 = 12) — the traditional print body-text size. Set Value = 16, From = px, To = pt above to verify.