Convert points to pixels with our handy PT to PX Converter. Ensure precise typography for your web designs with accurate unit conversion.
Points (PT) to Pixels (PX)
We’re assuming a standard screen resolution of 96 DPI (dots per inch)
PT | Pixels |
1pt | 1.333px |
2pt | 2.667px |
3pt | 4px |
4pt | 5.333px |
5pt | 6.667px |
6pt | 8px |
7pt | 9.333px |
8pt | 10.667px |
9pt | 12px |
10pt | 13.333px |
12pt | 16px |
14pt | 18.667px |
16pt | 21.333px |
18pt | 24px |
20pt | 26.667px |
24pt | 32px |
28pt | 37.333px |
32pt | 42.667px |
36pt | 48px |
40pt | 53.333px |
48pt | 64px |
56pt | 74.667px |
64pt | 85.333px |
72pt | 96px |
80pt | 106.667px |
90pt | 120px |
100pt | 133.333px |
Pixels (PX) to Points (PT)
Pixels | PT |
1px | 0.75pt |
2px | 1.5pt |
3px | 2.25pt |
4px | 3pt |
5px | 3.75pt |
6px | 4.5pt |
7px | 5.25pt |
8px | 6pt |
9px | 6.75pt |
10px | 7.5pt |
12px | 9pt |
14px | 10.5pt |
16px | 12pt |
18px | 13.5pt |
20px | 15pt |
24px | 18pt |
28px | 21pt |
32px | 24pt |
36px | 27pt |
40px | 30pt |
48px | 36pt |
56px | 42pt |
64px | 48pt |
72px | 54pt |
80px | 60pt |
90px | 67.5pt |
100px | 75pt |
What are PT in CSS?
In CSS, PT (points) is a unit of measurement used for defining sizes, particularly in relation to text and print. A point is an absolute unit commonly used in typography and print design. One point is equal to 1/72 of an inch, so 72pt equals 1 inch.
Characteristics of PT:
- Absolute Unit: PT is an absolute unit of measurement, meaning it does not scale relative to parent elements or root font sizes. It represents a fixed size, which is primarily intended to match real-world dimensions in printed media.
- Commonly Used in Print Media: PT is most often used in print-based design, particularly for setting font sizes in print styles. It’s a standard unit in typography for defining text sizes in documents, books, and other printed materials.
- Conversion to Pixels on Screens: On digital screens, browsers attempt to map PT to pixels based on the assumption that there are 96 pixels per inch (PPI). Therefore, 1pt equals approximately 1.333px on a typical screen (because 96px ÷ 72pt = 1.333). However, this mapping can vary slightly depending on the device and its pixel density (DPI).
- Less Common for Screen Design: PT is generally less used for screen-based web design, as it’s not responsive or adaptable to different screen sizes and resolutions. Instead, developers prefer relative units like REM, EM, or PX for more flexible designs.
Use Cases of PT:
- Typography in Print Media: PT is widely used for setting the size of text in print media, such as books, newspapers, and printed reports. In CSS, PT is often used within print-specific stylesheets (
@media print
) to define the font size in print layouts.- Example: Setting a heading to
24pt
for a printed document ensures that the font size matches the real-world size expectations for print materials.
- Example: Setting a heading to
- Print Styles for Web Documents: PT can be used in web-based documents that are meant to be printed, such as PDFs, reports, or forms, ensuring that the text size is consistent with print standards.
- Example: A print stylesheet for a web page might set the body text to
12pt
, which is a standard size for printed text.
- Example: A print stylesheet for a web page might set the body text to
- Precise Font Sizing in Typography: PT is often used by designers who are familiar with traditional print typography, as it allows for precise control over font sizes using a standard typographic measurement.
- Example: A designer might set subheadings to
14pt
and body text to10pt
to match conventional print standards.
- Example: A designer might set subheadings to
- Combining with Print Media Queries: PT is often used with the
@media print
query to ensure that web pages designed for print output have consistent and readable font sizes when printed.- Example: Setting print-specific font sizes to ensure that headings, subheadings, and body text appear properly sized when the page is printed.
Example of PT in CSS:
@media print { body { font-size: 12pt; /* Standard size for printed body text */ } h1 { font-size: 24pt; /* Larger size for printed headings */ } }
Why PT Isn’t Commonly Used on Screens:
- Inconsistency Across Devices: Because PT is an absolute unit designed for print, its conversion to pixels on screens can vary across devices with different resolutions and DPI (dots per inch). This makes it less ideal for responsive web design.
- Lack of Flexibility: PT doesn’t scale like relative units (such as REM or EM), which are better suited for screen designs that need to adapt to different screen sizes, resolutions, or user preferences.
- Better Alternatives for Digital: On the web, PX, REM, or EM are more commonly used for font sizing since they allow for more flexibility, especially for responsive and adaptive designs across various devices.
Summary:
- Advantages:
- Provides precise control over font sizes in print, based on standard typographic units.
- Ideal for print-specific CSS, especially for setting font sizes in documents that will be printed.
- Disadvantages:
- Inconsistent on screens: The conversion of PT to pixels can vary depending on the device and screen density.
- Not flexible for responsive design, as it does not scale based on screen size or resolution.
What are PX in CSS?
In CSS, PX (pixels) is an absolute unit of measurement used to define the size of elements. Unlike relative units such as EM and REM, PX provides fixed, non-scaling values that don’t change relative to the parent or root element. Here’s a breakdown of PX and its use cases:
Definition of PX:
- Pixels (PX): A pixel is a unit that corresponds to a single dot on a computer screen or display. In CSS, 1px represents one pixel of the display, regardless of screen resolution or size.
- Fixed Size: Unlike EM and REM, which are relative units, PX is an absolute unit, meaning it sets a fixed size for an element, regardless of the context or surrounding elements.
Characteristics of PX:
- Absolute Measurement: PX provides an absolute value, meaning the size set using PX will remain the same, regardless of the surrounding environment or context (like parent elements).
- Non-Responsive: Since PX is an absolute unit, it doesn’t scale automatically based on the user’s screen size, resolution, or browser settings. For responsive designs, PX is often less flexible than relative units like REM or percentages.
- Precise Control: PX gives designers exact control over the sizing of elements. If you need a specific size, regardless of other factors, PX is a reliable option.
- Device-Dependent: While PX is considered an absolute unit, its actual size may vary slightly across devices with different screen densities (e.g., standard displays vs. Retina displays). Modern browsers and operating systems often use techniques like device pixel ratio (DPR) to ensure that CSS pixels render consistently on high-resolution displays.
Use Cases of PX:
- Precise Element Sizing: PX is ideal when you need exact dimensions for elements like buttons, icons, or images, where having fixed sizes is important for maintaining the design’s integrity.
- Example: Setting a button’s width and height to 100px by 40px guarantees that the button will always be exactly that size, regardless of the device or browser.
- Design Consistency: When creating pixel-perfect layouts where the designer requires precise and consistent sizing across different browsers, PX ensures that all elements render exactly as specified.
- Example: For logos, icons, or fixed headers and footers, where exact size and alignment are critical, PX ensures they appear as intended across different devices.
- Avoiding Scaling Issues: In some cases, using relative units like EM or REM might cause unintended scaling effects, especially in nested elements. PX can be used to avoid this issue by ensuring that elements remain fixed in size.
- Example: When designing small interface elements like toolbars, status bars, or tiny UI components where scaling is undesirable, PX ensures the elements maintain their intended size.
- When Responsiveness Isn’t Critical: PX is useful for components that do not need to scale or adapt to different screen sizes or resolutions, such as fixed-width sidebars, pixel-perfect graphics, or print-like layouts.
- Example: In some fixed-width websites or specific sections where responsive design is not necessary, PX allows for precise control without worrying about how the design will scale.
When to Avoid PX:
- Responsive Design: Since PX is an absolute unit, it doesn’t scale naturally with screen size or user preferences. For responsive design, using relative units like REM or percentages is generally better because they adjust based on the user’s device and settings.
- Accessibility: PX can limit accessibility since users who increase or decrease their browser’s default font size may not see changes in elements sized with PX. This can lead to issues with text readability or layout usability for users with visual impairments.
- Fluid Layouts: In modern web design, fluid and flexible layouts are more common, and PX can be rigid in comparison. For websites that need to adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions, relative units like REM or EM offer more flexibility.
Example of PX in CSS:
body { font-size: 16px; } h1 { font-size: 32px; /* Always 32px regardless of parent or screen size */ } button { width: 120px; height: 40px; padding: 10px; }
PT vs PX
Aspect | PT (Points) | PX (Pixels) |
---|---|---|
Definition | PT (Points) is a physical unit of measurement commonly used in print, where 1pt = 1/72 of an inch. | PX (Pixels) is a digital unit representing the smallest unit of measurement on a screen. |
Usage Context | Traditionally used in print design and sometimes in web design for setting font sizes. | Predominantly used in web design for defining layout dimensions, spacing, and font sizes. |
Measurement Basis | Based on a fixed physical size (1pt = 1/72 of an inch), which doesn’t change regardless of screen resolution. | Relative to screen resolution and pixel density (DPI/PPI), meaning its size can vary across devices. |
Scalability | Fixed physical size, not inherently responsive, but can scale based on the device’s DPI settings in certain cases. | Can vary depending on device resolution, and often requires responsive design techniques to adapt across different screens. |
Consistency | Consistent in print and when DPI is constant, but can behave inconsistently across digital displays. | Can vary across devices with different pixel densities (e.g., a high-DPI display vs. a standard display). |
Responsiveness | Not typically used for responsive design in web contexts due to its fixed, print-based nature. | PX is more commonly used in responsive design, although it may require media queries or relative units for true responsiveness. |
Precision | Provides precise, fixed sizing, but less adaptable for web use, where screens have varying resolutions. | Provides precise control over digital designs, especially for pixel-perfect layouts, though can vary with screen resolution. |
Common Applications | Print design and, in some cases, for fonts in digital design (e.g., MS Word, PDFs, or email design). | Widely used in web design for defining element sizes, margins, padding, and font sizes. |
Conversion | 1pt = 1/72 of an inch, approximately equal to 1.33px at 96 DPI, though the actual conversion may vary on screens with different DPIs. | Pixels are screen-dependent and not directly convertible to physical units, though at 96 DPI, 1px ≈ 0.75pt. |
Scaling Behavior | Does not scale based on screen resolution, though it can appear smaller or larger depending on DPI settings. | Dependent on device resolution; can appear differently on high-DPI (retina) vs. standard screens. |
Example | font-size: 12pt; /* 12 points, consistent in print but may vary on screens */ | font-size: 16px; /* 16 pixels, size varies with screen DPI */ |
Best Used For | Best suited for print design or scenarios where fixed, real-world measurements are required. | Ideal for digital designs where control over screen display and pixel-level precision is important. |
Use Cases of PT and PX
PT (points) and PX (pixels) are both absolute units in CSS, but they are used in different contexts. PT is commonly used for print media, while PX is used primarily for digital displays. Here’s an overview of the use cases for both:
Use Cases for PT (Points):
PT (point) is a unit that originates from the print world. One point equals 1/72 of an inch, making it a fixed, absolute unit of measurement. PT is often used for typography in printed materials but can be used in web design where precision is needed, especially for content that is likely to be printed.
Print Media:
PT is ideal for print design where the size of fonts and other elements needs to conform to standard print sizes. For example, designing PDFs, printed brochures, or business cards often relies on PT to ensure accurate physical dimensions.
Example:
@media print { p { font-size: 12pt; } }
Font Size Consistency for Print:
PT ensures that the font size remains consistent when converting digital content to physical print. This is useful for content like invoices, reports, or flyers where the size of text needs to be predictable on paper.
Example:
h1 { font-size: 18pt; /* Ensures the header will be a specific size when printed */ }
PDF Generation:
When designing pages that are going to be converted to PDFs for printing, PT is frequently used to match standard font sizes. Since PDF viewers and printers often render text based on PT units, this ensures accurate translation from screen to paper.
Example:
.pdf-content { font-size: 11pt; }
Typography for Legal or Academic Documents:
Legal, academic, or formal documents that need to meet certain font size standards often use PT. For example, documents that require 12pt Times New Roman (a common requirement) will rely on the PT unit to ensure proper scaling in print.
Typography for Email Templates:
In some email designs (especially those that are also likely to be printed), PT can be used to maintain consistent font sizing across devices and when emails are printed.
Use Cases for PX (Pixels):
PX (pixels) is one of the most commonly used CSS units for digital content. It is an absolute unit based on the resolution of the device, where 1px equals one device pixel (or screen dot). PX units are not scalable like REM or EM, but they offer precise control over the size of elements in web design.
Precise Control in Digital Design:
Use PX when you need exact control over the size of elements on the screen, such as icons, buttons, or other interface components. PX units ensure that the design renders consistently across devices.
Example:
.icon { width: 48px; height: 48px; }
Fixed Layouts and UI Components:
PX is useful for fixed-width layouts where elements need to maintain specific dimensions, regardless of screen size or resolution. This is especially common in header bars, sidebars, buttons, or other UI components where the exact size matters.
Example:
.header { height: 80px; }
Typography for Digital Media:
While REM and EM are often preferred for responsive typography, PX is used when precise control over font size is needed for specific text elements. For instance, when working with logos, hero text, or UI elements, pixel-based sizing ensures consistency across devices.
Example:
h1 { font-size: 24px; }
Raster Images and Icon Sizing:
Since raster images (such as PNGs or JPEGs) are made of pixels, sizing them in PX ensures they display at their intended resolution without distortion. This is important for web images, logos, and icons.
Example:
img { width: 300px; height: auto; }
Non-Responsive Designs:
In situations where a design does not need to be responsive (e.g., banners, ads, or older websites), PX units are commonly used to fix element sizes. It simplifies the layout process by keeping everything at a fixed size.
Summary: When to Use PT vs. PX
- Use PT when:
- You’re designing for print media and need to ensure consistent font sizes across different printing devices.
- Your content will be converted to PDF and you want the text size to match standard print expectations.
- You need to conform to specific print-related standards, such as in legal, academic, or professional documents where a fixed font size (e.g., 12pt) is required.
- You want predictable sizing for content that might be printed from a webpage, especially for typography.
- Use PX when:
- You need precise, pixel-perfect control over elements in a web design.
- You’re working with fixed layouts or UI components where exact dimensions are necessary (e.g., buttons, icons, images).
- You want fonts or images to remain the same size across different screens, regardless of scaling or zoom.
- You’re designing for non-responsive layouts or content that doesn’t need to adapt to different screen sizes.
- You’re dealing with raster images or pixel-based icons that require fixed dimensions to avoid scaling issues.
FAQ on PT to PX
What is a PT to PX Converter?
A PT to PX converter is a tool used in web development to convert font sizes from points (PT) to pixels (PX). This is especially useful when moving from print to digital design, ensuring your typography remains consistent across various screens and CSS styles.
How do points differ from pixels?
Points (PT) are a print-based measurement, traditionally used in print media. Pixels (PX) are digital units used in web design for screen resolution and device compatibility. Pixels provide more precision for web typography, especially when creating responsive design units and mobile optimization.
Why would I need to convert PT to PX?
You need to convert PT to PX for accuracy in web fonts and layout design. PT is based on physical dimensions, which aren’t consistently accurate on diverse screens. Converting ensures that your font rendering and UI design stay consistent regardless of the device or screen resolution.
Is there a standard conversion ratio for PT to PX?
Yes, generally, 1PT equals 1.3333PX. However, this can vary based on screen DPI settings and pixel density. For precise web development, online PT to PX calculators or typography conversion tools can be more accurate, taking into account these variations.
Is using a PT to PX converter necessary for responsive design?
Absolutely. Responsive design requires flexible and scalable units. PT measurements are static and unsuitable for fluid layouts. Converting to PX allows for better CSS font-size control, ensures your design adapts to screen changes, and improves overall user experience.
Can I manually calculate PT to PX?
Yes, you can manually calculate it using the ratio 1PT = 1.3333PX. However, online converters provide better results for complex scenarios, such as varying screen resolutions and pixel densities. Manual calculations may not always account for digital media nuances.
What tools can I use for PT to PX conversion?
There are several online tools available, such as CSS unit transformer and design unit converters. These tools help ensure accurate conversion by considering diverse aspects like web typography and responsive font sizes, eliminating guesswork and manual effort.
How accurate are PT to PX converters?
Most online converters are highly accurate, taking into account several factors like screen resolution and pixel density. For the best results and optimal user experience, use reliable converters and test the output on various devices to ensure proper layout design adjustments.
Does PT to PX conversion affect loading speed?
Generally, PT to PX conversion won’t impact your site’s loading speed directly. However, well-optimized content and CSS styles can improve loading speed. Make sure your site structure, sitemap, and technical elements are efficiently managed to ensure overall performance and user experience.
Are there alternatives to PT and PX for font sizes?
Absolutely. Alternatives like em, rem, and percentages offer scalable units ideal for responsive design. These units can adjust based on the parent element or root element size, providing more flexibility and consistency in your web development and typography scales.