PT to REM Converter
Convert points to REM units instantly with customizable DPI and base font size settings
Live Font Size Preview
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Unit Conversion Table
Conversion values at 96 DPI, base font 16px
| Unit | Points (pt) | Pixels (px) | REM | EM | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pt | 1.0 | 1.3333 | 0.0833 | 0.0833 | 8.333% |
| 1 px | 0.75 | 1.0 | 0.0625 | 0.0625 | 6.25% |
| 1 rem | 12 | 16 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% |
| 1 em | 12 | 16 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% |
| 1% | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 1% |
About PT to REM Conversion
What is PT (Points)?
PT (Points) is a typographic unit commonly used in print and PDF design. One point equals 1/72 of an inch. Points are the standard measurement for font sizes in word processors, desktop publishing, and print media.
What is REM?
REM (Root EM) is a CSS unit relative to the root element's font size. By default, most browsers set the root font size to 16px, making 1rem equal to 16px. REM units are widely used in responsive web design because they scale consistently across the entire page and respect user font size preferences.
The Conversion Formula
PT → PX = pt × (DPI / 72)
PX → REM = px / baseFontSize
At standard 96 DPI with 16px base: 1 PT ≈ 0.0833 REM
PT to REM Conversion Table (96 DPI, 16px base)
| Points (pt) | Pixels (px) | REM |
|---|---|---|
| 6pt | 8px | 0.5rem |
| 7pt | 9.33px | 0.5833rem |
| 8pt | 10.67px | 0.6667rem |
| 9pt | 12px | 0.75rem |
| 10pt | 13.33px | 0.8333rem |
| 10.5pt | 14px | 0.875rem |
| 11pt | 14.67px | 0.9167rem |
| 12pt | 16px | 1rem |
| 13pt | 17.33px | 1.0833rem |
| 13.5pt | 18px | 1.125rem |
| 14pt | 18.67px | 1.1667rem |
| 15pt | 20px | 1.25rem |
| 16pt | 21.33px | 1.3333rem |
| 18pt | 24px | 1.5rem |
| 20pt | 26.67px | 1.6667rem |
| 21pt | 28px | 1.75rem |
| 24pt | 32px | 2rem |
| 28pt | 37.33px | 2.3333rem |
| 32pt | 42.67px | 2.6667rem |
| 36pt | 48px | 3rem |
| 48pt | 64px | 4rem |
| 60pt | 80px | 5rem |
| 72pt | 96px | 6rem |
How to Convert PT to REM Online
- 1
Enter your point value
Type any PT value into the Points (pt) input field. The default is 12pt, which equals 1rem (16px) at standard settings — the typical body text size in Word and InDesign.
- 2
Read the REM result instantly
The converted REM value appears immediately. The live font preview shows how the resulting size will look in a browser at the current base font size.
- 3
Adjust DPI and base font size
Click "Show Settings" to configure DPI (default 96 for web, 72 for legacy print) and your root font size (default 16px). Change the base to 10 if you use the 62.5% root font trick.
- 4
Copy and paste into your CSS
Click Copy to grab the REM value and paste it directly into your stylesheet. Use the conversion table below for quick reference without entering each value manually.
Common Use Cases for PT to REM Conversion
Matching Print Typography to Web
Designers specify font sizes in PT (12pt body, 18pt headings). Use this converter to translate those print values to REM for your CSS, maintaining typographic consistency between print and digital.
Converting Brand Style Guides
Many corporate style guides define typography in points. Convert the specified PT values to REM to implement the brand's typographic scale in a web design system or component library.
PDF-to-Web Migrations
When rebuilding a PDF-based report or document as a web page, convert all point-based font sizes to REM so the web version is accessible and scalable rather than pixel-locked.
Email to Web Template Conversion
HTML email templates often use PT for font sizes for cross-client compatibility. When adapting an email design to a landing page, convert PT to REM for responsive, accessible web typography.
Design System Token Creation
Build a unified design token set by converting all point-based sizes from your design specs into REM tokens, creating a single source of truth that works for both print and web outputs.
Accessibility Auditing
WCAG 1.4.4 requires text to be resizable up to 200% without loss of content. Converting PT-based sizes to REM ensures your font sizes scale with browser preferences, helping meet WCAG compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert PT to REM?
The two-step formula is: first convert PT to PX using PX = PT × (DPI ÷ 72), then convert PX to REM using REM = PX ÷ Base Font Size. At 96 DPI with a 16px base: REM = PT × (96 ÷ 72) ÷ 16 = PT × 0.08333. So 12pt = 1rem, 9pt = 0.75rem, 18pt = 1.5rem.
How many REM is 12pt?
At 96 DPI with a 16px base font size, 12pt = 1rem = 16px. This is the standard body text size used in most word processors and also the default browser font size. Common mappings: 9pt = 0.75rem, 10pt ≈ 0.833rem, 14pt ≈ 1.167rem, 18pt = 1.5rem, 24pt = 2rem.
Why convert PT to REM instead of PT to PX?
REM is preferred over PX for web typography because it respects user browser font size preferences. A user who sets their browser to 20px base gets proportionally larger text with REM, improving accessibility. PX is absolute and ignores user preferences.
What DPI should I use for PT to REM conversion?
Use 96 DPI for standard web and screen contexts (Windows/browser default). Use 72 DPI if you're matching a macOS or legacy print context. At 72 DPI, the math simplifies: 1pt = 1px, so 12pt = 0.75rem.
Does CSS support the PT unit?
Yes, CSS supports pt as a valid length unit. However, it is an absolute unit tied to physical dimensions (1/72 inch) and is most appropriate in @media print stylesheets. For screen styles, REM or EM are strongly preferred for accessibility.
What is the relationship between PT, PX, and REM?
At the standard web settings (96 DPI, 16px base): 1rem = 16px = 12pt. All three can represent the same size but behave differently — PT is a fixed physical unit, PX is a fixed screen unit, and REM scales with the root font size. Use the conversion table on this page for quick cross-unit reference.
How do I use PT values from InDesign or Word in my CSS?
Enter the PT value from your design tool into this converter and copy the resulting REM value into your CSS font-size property. For example, a 14pt body text from InDesign becomes approximately font-size: 1.1667rem in your stylesheet.