12 pt equals 16 px.
When converting points (pt) to pixels (px), the conversion depends on the screen resolution and standard DPI (dots per inch). Assuming the standard 96 DPI, 1 pt equals 1.3333 px, so 12 pt becomes 12 × 1.3333 = 16 px.
Conversion Tool
Result in px:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert points (pt) to pixels (px) is:
px = pt × (DPI / 72)
Here, DPI means dots per inch, commonly 96 for screens. Since 1 inch equals 72 points, multiplying points by DPI divided by 72 converts to pixels.
Example with 12 pt:
- Start with 12 pt
- Multiply by 96 (screen DPI): 12 × 96 = 1152
- Divide by 72 (points per inch): 1152 / 72 = 16 px
Conversion Example
- 8 pt to px:
- 8 × 96 = 768
- 768 / 72 = 10.6667 px
- 15 pt to px:
- 15 × 96 = 1440
- 1440 / 72 = 20 px
- 20 pt to px:
- 20 × 96 = 1920
- 1920 / 72 = 26.6667 px
- 5 pt to px:
- 5 × 96 = 480
- 480 / 72 = 6.6667 px
Conversion Chart
| Points (pt) | Pixels (px) |
|---|---|
| -13.0 | -17.3333 |
| -10.0 | -13.3333 |
| -5.0 | -6.6667 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 5.0 | 6.6667 |
| 10.0 | 13.3333 |
| 12.0 | 16.0000 |
| 15.0 | 20.0000 |
| 20.0 | 26.6667 |
| 25.0 | 33.3333 |
| 30.0 | 40.0000 |
| 35.0 | 46.6667 |
| 37.0 | 49.3333 |
The chart list points values in the left column and their equivalent pixels in the right. You can find the px value for any pt by multiplying the pt with 96/72. Negative values show how many pixels correspond to negative point sizes, useful for design adjustments.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pixels equals 12 pt in CSS?
- What is the pixel size for 12 points on a 96 DPI screen?
- Why does 12 pt convert to 16 px and not 12 px?
- Is the 12 pt to px conversion different on high-resolution screens?
- How do I convert 12 pt font size to pixels for web design?
- What formula to use for converting 12 points to pixels?
- Does 12 pt always equal 16 px in all applications?
Conversion Definitions
pt: A point (pt) is a unit of measurement used in typography and graphic design, equal to 1/72 of an inch. It defines font sizes and spacing, providing a consistent physical size across printed materials, regardless of the device or display.
px: A pixel (px) is the smallest unit of a digital image or display, representing a single point in a raster graphics. Pixels vary in physical size depending on the screen resolution and device DPI, used mostly for on-screen measurements.
Conversion FAQs
Does the conversion from pt to px change with different screen DPIs?
Yes, since the conversion formula depends on DPI, screens with higher DPI will have more pixels per inch, changing the px value per pt. For example, a 192 DPI screen doubles the px count compared to 96 DPI, so 12 pt would equal 32 px.
Can I use pt values directly in CSS for screen displays?
Using pt in CSS is possible, but since pt is physical measurement based on inches, its rendering can vary between devices. Pixels are more reliable for screen-specific sizing. Converting pt to px helps maintain consistent on-screen appearance.
Why is the standard DPI assumed to be 96 for converting pt to px?
The 96 DPI standard was established by Microsoft for Windows displays to maintain consistency. It became a default reference for screen resolutions, so converting pt to px using 96 DPI ensures alignment with most desktop screen environments.
What happens if I use fractional pt values in conversion?
Fractional pt values convert smoothly to fractional px values, which can be rounded depending on rendering engines. For example, 8.5 pt converts to approximately 11.3333 px. Some browsers may round this for display purposes.
Is it possible for 12 pt to equal a different px value in print vs screen?
Yes, print devices use physical measurements, so 12 pt means exactly 1/6 inch on paper, while screens convert based on DPI and may show different px values. Therefore, 12 pt on screen usually equals 16 px at 96 DPI, but the printed size remains constant.