Points to Pixels Converter
Points and pixels are both units of measurement used in typography and design, but they serve different purposes. A point (pt) is a traditional typographic unit equal to 1/72 inch, originating from the printing industry and still widely used in typography, PDF documents, and design software. Pixels (px) are digital units used on screens and in web design. The conversion between points and pixels depends on the DPI (dots per inch). At 96 DPI, which is the standard for CSS and modern web browsers, 1 point equals approximately 1.333 pixels. At 72 DPI, 1 point equals exactly 1 pixel. This calculator converts between points and pixels at two standard DPI values: 72 DPI (legacy) and 96 DPI (modern CSS standard). Enter a value in either points or pixels, select the DPI, and the calculator instantly shows the equivalent. Common font sizes are included for reference: 12pt (body text) equals 16px at 96 DPI, 14pt equals 18.67px, 16pt equals 21.33px, and 18pt equals 24px.
Conversion formulas
At 96 DPI (CSS standard):
pixels = points * 1.333 (or points * 96 / 72)
points = pixels * 0.75 (or pixels * 72 / 96)
At 72 DPI (legacy):
pixels = points * 1 (exactly)
points = pixels * 1 (exactly)
Common point and pixel conversions
| Points (pt) | Pixels at 72 DPI | Pixels at 96 DPI | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 10.67 | Small text, captions |
| 10 | 10 | 13.33 | Footnotes, fine print |
| 12 | 12 | 16.00 | Body text (print) |
| 14 | 14 | 18.67 | Body text (web) |
| 16 | 16 | 21.33 | Subheading |
| 18 | 18 | 24.00 | Heading |
| 24 | 24 | 32.00 | Large heading |
| 36 | 36 | 48.00 | Display heading |
Points to pixels converter: frequently asked questions
What is a point in typography?
A point (pt) is a unit of measurement used in typography. One point equals 1/72 inch. This unit originated from the printing industry and is still used in design and publishing. In CSS, 1pt = 1/72 inch, which at standard DPI values converts to a specific number of pixels.
What is the relationship between points and pixels?
The relationship between points and pixels depends on the DPI (dots per inch). At 96 DPI (standard for CSS), 1 point equals approximately 1.333 pixels. At 72 DPI, 1 point equals exactly 1 pixel. The formula is: pixels = points * (DPI / 72).
What DPI should I use?
Use 96 DPI for web design and CSS, as this is the standard pixel density for screens. Use 72 DPI for legacy web graphics or if working with systems that use 72 DPI. Modern web standards typically assume 96 DPI.
What is a common point size for body text?
In print, 12 points is standard for body text. In web design, 12pt is typically around 16px (at 96 DPI), which is a good default font size for readability. The CSS default is often 16px, which equals 12pt.
How do I convert points to pixels in CSS?
Use the formula: pixels = points * (96 / 72) = points * 1.333. For example, 12pt = 16px at 96 DPI. You can also use this converter to quickly look up common conversions.
Official sources
- W3C: CSS Values and Units Module Level 3.
- Adobe: About type.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.