Pixels to Points Converter
Convert between pixels and points (pt) for print layouts at any DPI. One point equals 1/72 of an inch, so the conversion depends on your document resolution.
How it works
Points = pixels × 72 ÷ DPI. At 300 DPI, one pixel equals 0.24 pt; at 72 DPI, one pixel equals exactly 1 pt. One pica equals 12 points, and one point equals 1/72 inch.
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 point (pt) | 1/72 inch |
| 1 pica (pc) | 12 points |
| 1 pixel at 300 DPI | 0.24 pt |
| 1 pixel at 72 DPI | 1 pt |
When to use this calculator
- Setting type sizes in a layout that mixes pixels with print units.
- Converting CSS pixel values to points for a print stylesheet or PDF export.
- Checking line weights and rules that are specified in points but rendered in pixels.
- Translating a web design into a print-ready document without guessing.
Worked examples
- 12 pt at 300 DPI: 50 px; at 96 DPI it is 16 px.
- 24 pt at 150 DPI: 50 px - the same pixel height as 12 pt at 300 DPI.
- 1 px at 300 DPI: 0.24 pt, which is a fine hairline rule.
- 72 pt: exactly one inch, regardless of DPI, because the conversion cancels out.
Points, picas and inches
Traditional print typography divides an inch into 72 points, and a pica is 12 points. That makes 6 picas one inch, and 72 pt one inch. These relationships are fixed; the pixel equivalent changes with resolution because pixels are resolution-dependent while points are physical measurements.
Why CSS uses 96 DPI
The CSS specification defines one inch as 96 pixels so that screen layouts remain predictable across devices. That means 1 CSS pixel equals 0.75 pt in the browser model. When a design moves to print, the browser's 96 DPI convention no longer applies and the printer's output resolution takes over - which is why the same 12 pt text becomes 50 px at 300 DPI instead of 16 px.
Common mistakes
- Assuming 1 pt equals 1 px; it only does at 72 DPI.
- Converting with the wrong DPI and then wondering why text renders at the wrong size.
- Rounding very small values to zero - a 0.24 pt rule is thin but valid.
- Mixing point sizes from a print document with pixel values from a web design without converting both first.
Related tools
Pixels to inches converter · Print size calculator · Print file setup checklist
Frequently asked questions
How many pixels is 12 pt at 300 DPI?
12 pt × 300 ÷ 72 = 50 pixels. At 96 DPI (screen), 12 pt equals 16 pixels.
Why does CSS use 96 DPI but print uses 72?
CSS defines 1 inch as 96 screen pixels for predictable web layouts. Traditional print typography defines 1 point as 1/72 inch. Both conventions are used in their own contexts.