1.17 em is equal to 18.72 px.
The conversion from em to pixels depends on the base font size, which is commonly 16 pixels in most browsers. Multiplying the em value by the base font size gives the equivalent pixel value. For 1.17 em, multiply 1.17 by 16 to get 18.72 pixels.
Conversion Tool
Result in px:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert em to pixels is:
pixels = em × base font size (in pixels)
This works because an em unit is relative to the current font size. If the base font size is 16 pixels, each em equals 16 pixels. Multiplying the em value by the font size yields the pixel value.
Example for 1.17 em:
- Start with base font size: 16 px
- Multiply em value by base size: 1.17 × 16 = 18.72
- Result is 18.72 pixels
Conversion Example
- Convert 2.5 em to px:
- Multiply 2.5 × 16 (base font size) = 40 px
- So, 2.5 em equals 40 pixels
- Convert 0.75 em to px:
- 0.75 × 16 = 12 pixels
- Therefore, 0.75 em equals 12 px
- Convert 1.33 em to px:
- 1.33 × 16 = 21.28 pixels
- 1.33 em equals 21.28 px
- Convert 3 em to px:
- 3 × 16 = 48 pixels
- 3 em equals 48 px
- Convert 0.5 em to px:
- 0.5 × 16 = 8 pixels
- 0.5 em equals 8 px
Conversion Chart
| em | px |
|---|---|
| -23.8 | -380.80 |
| -20.0 | -320.00 |
| -15.5 | -248.00 |
| -10.2 | -163.20 |
| -5.75 | -92.00 |
| -1.0 | -16.00 |
| 0.0 | 0.00 |
| 1.5 | 24.00 |
| 5.25 | 84.00 |
| 9.8 | 156.80 |
| 13.4 | 214.40 |
| 18.1 | 289.60 |
| 22.9 | 366.40 |
| 26.2 | 419.20 |
This chart shows em units on left column, and their equivalent pixel values on the right, assuming base font size of 16 pixels. To find px for any em, multiply the em number by 16. Negative values mean sizes smaller than zero or reverse scaling.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pixels is 1.17 em on a 16px base font?
- What changes in px when I use 1.17 em in CSS?
- Can I convert 1.17 em to pixels for responsive design?
- Is 1.17 em bigger than 18 px?
- How does the browser calculate 1.17 em in px?
- Will 1.17 em always equal 18.72 px?
- How to use 1.17 em to px conversion for web typography?
Conversion Definitions
em: An em is a relative unit in typography and CSS, based on the font size of the element or its parent. If the base font size is 16 pixels, 1 em equals 16 pixels. It scales proportionally, so changing the base size affects all em-based measurements.
px: Pixels (px) are absolute units representing a single dot on a computer screen. They provide fixed sizing in CSS, unaffected by font size changes. One pixel corresponds to the smallest controllable element on screen, ensuring precise layout control.
Conversion FAQs
Does the base font size always have to be 16 pixels for em to px conversion?
No, the base font size can change depending on the CSS rules or user settings. The common default is 16 pixels, but if you modify the root or parent font size, the em unit scales accordingly. The conversion requires knowing the exact font size to get the correct px value.
What happens if I use em units inside nested elements?
Em units inside nested elements are relative to their parent’s font size, not necessarily the root font size. This means conversions to pixels can differ depending on the nesting level and font size inheritance, so calculating px from em requires knowing the computed font size at that level.
Can em units be negative or zero?
Zero em equals zero pixels and is valid for hiding or spacing elements. Negative em values are unusual but possible in CSS; they result in negative pixel values which may cause unexpected layout behaviors or overlaps, so their use should be cautious and tested thoroughly.
Why would I use em instead of px in web design?
Using em units allows scalable and flexible designs that respond to user preferences and device settings. Pixels are absolute and don’t scale, which can cause accessibility issues. Em units adapt font sizes and spacing relative to parent sizes, improving readability across devices.
Is the conversion from em to px always linear?
Yes, the conversion is linear because 1 em always equals the current font size in pixels. Multiplying em by the font size gives the pixel value directly. However, since font sizes can vary across elements or devices, the effective px value changes depending on context.
