EM to PT Converter
Convert between EM and Points (pt) CSS units with customizable parent font size and DPI
Live Font Size Preview
Hello
Conversion Formula
How EM and Points relate to each other
EM → PT
pt = em × parentSize × (72 ÷ dpi)
e.g. 1em × 16 × (72 ÷ 96) = 12pt
PT → EM
em = pt × (dpi ÷ 72) ÷ parentSize
e.g. 12 × (96 ÷ 72) ÷ 16 = 1em
At the standard web DPI of 96: 1em with a 16px parent = 12pt. At print DPI of 72: 1em = 16pt.
CSS Style Properties
EM value
h1 {
font-size: 1em;
}Points value
h1 {
font-size: 0pt;
}EM to PT Conversion Table
Parent font size: 16px, DPI: 96
| EM | Points (pt) | Pixels (px) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25em | 3pt | 4px |
| 0.5em | 6pt | 8px |
| 0.75em | 9pt | 12px |
| 1em | 12pt | 16px |
| 1.25em | 15pt | 20px |
| 1.5em | 18pt | 24px |
| 1.75em | 21pt | 28px |
| 2em | 24pt | 32px |
| 2.25em | 27pt | 36px |
| 2.5em | 30pt | 40px |
| 2.75em | 33pt | 44px |
| 3em | 36pt | 48px |
| 3.25em | 39pt | 52px |
| 3.5em | 42pt | 56px |
| 3.75em | 45pt | 60px |
| 4em | 48pt | 64px |
| 4.25em | 51pt | 68px |
| 4.5em | 54pt | 72px |
| 4.75em | 57pt | 76px |
| 5em | 60pt | 80px |
About EM to PT Conversion
What is EM?
EM is a relative CSS unit. For font-size,
1em equals the parent element's font size. It is device-independent and scales with the user's
browser settings, making it ideal for accessible, responsive typography.
What is PT (Points)?
PT (Points) is a typographic unit rooted in print design. 1 point = 1/72 of an inch. At 96 DPI (standard screen), 1pt = 1.333px. Points are common in print stylesheets, PDF generation, and design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe products.
The Conversion Formula
pt = em × parentFontSize × (72 ÷ dpi)
Step 1: convert EM to pixels (em × parentSize).
Step 2: convert pixels to points (px × 72 ÷ dpi).
At 96 DPI with a 16px parent: 1em = 16px = 12pt.
When to Use EM vs PT
- EM: Use for web typography — scales with parent font size and user preferences.
- PT: Use for print stylesheets (
@media print), PDF generation, or matching sizes with design tools. - For web-only projects, avoid PT — it relies on a fixed physical measurement that varies with screen DPI.
Common Conversions (parent = 16px, DPI = 96)
0.5em
6pt
0.75em
9pt
1em
12pt
1.25em
15pt
1.5em
18pt
1.75em
21pt
2em
24pt
2.5em
30pt
How to Use the EM to PT Converter
- 1
Enter your value
Type the EM (or pt) value you want to convert into the "From Value" input field.
- 2
Select the unit direction
Choose em or pt in both dropdowns. Use the swap button to reverse direction instantly.
- 3
Adjust settings if needed
Click Show Settings to change the parent font size and screen DPI. Use 96 DPI for screen output and 72 DPI for print.
- 4
Read the result and copy
The converted value appears instantly. Click Copy to copy it to your clipboard.
- 5
Check the live preview and table
The Live Font Size Preview shows how the result renders visually. The table lists common EM values with their pt and pixel equivalents.
Tip: At 96 DPI (standard screen) with a 16px parent, 1em = 12pt. This is the most common reference point for web-to-print typography matching.
Common Use Cases
Print Stylesheet Development
- • Convert web EM font sizes to pt for
@media printstylesheets - • Match browser typography to print output in PDF generation
- • Ensure printed documents use standard typographic point sizes
Design Tool Handoff
- • Convert EM values from CSS to pt for Figma or Sketch mockups
- • Match web font sizes to Adobe Illustrator or InDesign point values
- • Verify that CSS EM sizes match the designer's pt specifications
PDF Generation
- • Convert EM-based web styles to pt for wkhtmltopdf or Puppeteer PDF output
- • Ensure invoice or report font sizes match brand typography guidelines in pt
- • Translate responsive EM values to fixed pt sizes for static PDFs
Cross-Media Typography
- • Align web and print font sizes for a consistent brand identity
- • Convert email EM sizes to pt for Microsoft Outlook compatibility
- • Document type scales in both EM and pt for multi-channel design systems
High-DPI & Retina Displays
- • Adjust the DPI setting to see how pt values change on different screen densities
- • Calculate pt equivalents for 144 DPI (2× retina) or 192 DPI (3× screens)
- • Verify font rendering across standard and high-resolution displays
Learning & Teaching CSS
- • Understand the relationship between relative (em) and absolute (pt) units
- • Demonstrate how DPI affects the em-to-pt conversion
- • Use the live preview to explore font size differences interactively
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula to convert EM to points?
Two steps: first convert EM to pixels (px = em × parentFontSize), then pixels to points (pt = px × 72 ÷ dpi). Combined: pt = em × parentFontSize × (72 ÷ dpi). At 96 DPI with a 16px parent, 1em = 12pt.
Why does 1em equal 12pt at standard screen settings?
The browser default root font size is 16px. At 96 DPI, 1px = 72/96 pt = 0.75pt. So 16px = 16 × 0.75 = 12pt. This is why 12pt (the standard body text size in print) corresponds to 1em in default browser settings.
Should I use PT for web CSS?
Generally no. PT is an absolute physical unit tied to print (1/72 inch). On screens, its rendered size depends on the device's DPI, which varies widely. For web, use px, em, or rem for predictable results. Reserve pt for @media print stylesheets.
What DPI should I use for the conversion?
Use 96 DPI for standard web screens (the CSS reference pixel standard). Use 72 DPI for traditional print or macOS points. For high-DPI displays, you can experiment with 144 or 192 DPI — but note that CSS pt values on screen are anchored to the CSS reference pixel, not the physical pixel density.
How do I convert PT back to EM?
Use the swap button, or apply: em = pt × (dpi ÷ 72) ÷ parentFontSize. For 12pt at 96 DPI with a 16px parent: 12 × (96 ÷ 72) ÷ 16 = 1em.
Is my data safe? Does this tool send data to a server?
No data leaves your browser. All calculations happen entirely client-side using JavaScript. Nothing you enter is uploaded or stored anywhere.
What is the difference between EM and REM?
EM is relative to the nearest parent element's font size and can compound in nested elements. REM (Root EM) always references the root html element's font size and never compounds, making it more predictable for global typography.
How does changing the parent font size affect the result?
EM is relative, so the pt result scales directly with the parent font size. If you double the parent from 16px to 32px, 1em will convert to 24pt instead of 12pt (at 96 DPI). Use the Settings panel to model your specific element context.