1 pt equals 1.3333 px when converted using the standard formula.
The conversion from points (pt) to pixels (px) is based on the fact that 1 point is defined as 1/72 of an inch, and pixels depend on the screen resolution, which is commonly assumed to be 96 pixels per inch. So, converting points to pixels involves multiplying by 96/72, resulting in 1 pt being 1.3333 px.
Conversion Tool
Result in px:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert points (pt) to pixels (px) is:
px = pt × (96 / 72)
Here’s why it works:
- One point is defined as 1/72 of an inch.
- Pixels are screen-dependent but commonly assumed at 96 pixels per inch (ppi).
- Multiplying points by (96/72) converts the inch-based unit into pixels.
Example calculation for 1 pt:
- 1 pt = 1 × (96 / 72)
- = 1 × 1.3333
- = 1.3333 px
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 pt to px:
- Multiply 5 by (96 / 72): 5 × 1.3333
- Equals 6.6665 px
- Convert 12 pt to px:
- 12 × (96 / 72) = 12 × 1.3333
- Equals 16 px
- Convert 0.5 pt to px:
- 0.5 × 1.3333 = 0.66665 px
- Rounded to 0.6667 px
- Convert 20 pt to px:
- 20 × 1.3333 = 26.666 px
Conversion Chart
| pt | px |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -32.0000 |
| -20.0 | -26.6667 |
| -16.0 | -21.3333 |
| -12.0 | -16.0000 |
| -8.0 | -10.6667 |
| -4.0 | -5.3333 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 4.0 | 5.3333 |
| 8.0 | 10.6667 |
| 12.0 | 16.0000 |
| 16.0 | 21.3333 |
| 20.0 | 26.6667 |
| 24.0 | 32.0000 |
| 26.0 | 34.6667 |
This chart shows pt values in the left column and their corresponding px values on the right. You can find a point value and see its equivalent pixels by multiplying by 1.3333. Negative values represent sizes less than zero, which can be used in some design scenarios.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pixels is 1 pt on a 96 dpi screen?
- Why does 1 pt equal 1.3333 px in CSS?
- Is the conversion of 1 pt to px different on devices with varying resolutions?
- Can 1 pt be directly converted to px without considering screen dpi?
- What happens if I convert 1 pt to px on a 72 dpi display?
- How precise is the 1 pt to px conversion for graphic design work?
- Does 1 pt always equal 1.3333 px in web development?
Conversion Definitions
pt (point): A unit of length commonly used in typography and printing, where 1 point equals exactly 1/72 of an inch. Points are used to measure font sizes, spacing, and layout dimensions in printed materials and digital designs, providing a standard scale that is independent from device pixels.
px (pixel): The smallest unit of a digital image displayed on a screen, representing a single point of color. Pixels depend on screen resolution and size, where their physical size may vary, but in CSS and web contexts, a pixel is often defined as 1/96 of an inch for consistent rendering across devices.
Conversion FAQs
Why is 1 pt equal to 1.3333 px?
The reason behind this is because a point is 1/72 of an inch, and pixels are assumed to be 1/96 of an inch on screens. Multiplying 1 pt by 96/72 converts it to pixels, so 1 × 1.3333 = 1.3333 px. This standard is used to keep sizing consistent across devices.
Does screen resolution affect the pt to px conversion?
The conversion formula assumes a screen resolution of 96 dpi (dots per inch), which is a common standard in web browsers. However, if the screen has a different dpi, the physical size of pixels changes, but CSS pixels stay the same. Thus, the formula works for CSS but may differ for physical screen measurements.
Can negative pt values convert correctly to px?
Yes, negative point values convert to negative pixels by the same multiplying factor. Negative values are less common but can be used in design software for offsets or positioning. The conversion formula applies equally to negative numbers without any special adjustment.
Is the conversion exact for all values?
While the formula gives precise mathematical results, in practice, rounding occurs, especially for fractional pixel values. Devices and browsers might round pixel sizes differently, causing slight visual differences, but the conversion provides a close approximation for design purposes.
How does this conversion affect font size rendering on the web?
Fonts sized in points are converted to pixels using this formula by browsers to render text at consistent sizes across devices. Since CSS uses pixels as a base unit, converting pt to px ensures that text appears at intended sizes, maintaining readability and layout integrity.
