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Convert typographic points to inches instantly. Essential for print design, typography, and document layout.
inches = points ÷ 72
Example: 72 pt = 72 ÷ 72 = 1 inch
| Points (pt) | Inches (in) |
|---|---|
| 6 pt | 0.083333 in |
| 8 pt | 0.111111 in |
| 9 pt | 0.125000 in |
| 10 pt | 0.138889 in |
| 11 pt | 0.152778 in |
| 12 pt | 0.166667 in |
| 14 pt | 0.194444 in |
| 18 pt | 0.250000 in |
| 24 pt | 0.333333 in |
| 36 pt | 0.500000 in |
| 48 pt | 0.666667 in |
| 72 pt | 1.000000 in |
| 144 pt | 2.000000 in |
A point (pt) is a fundamental unit of measurement in typography and print design. In modern digital and print contexts, one point is defined as exactly 1/72 of an inch. This standardization was established by Adobe PostScript in the 1980s and has become the universal standard for desktop publishing. Points are primarily used to measure font sizes, line spacing (leading), and other typographic elements. The point system provides precision and consistency across different media, making it essential for designers, publishers, and anyone working with text. Historically, the point size varied slightly between different typographic systems, but the PostScript point has become the de facto standard in digital typography.
Start with the measurement you want to convert (e.g., 72 points).
Since there are 72 points in one inch, divide your point value by 72.
The result is your measurement in inches. Example: 72 ÷ 72 = 1 inch.
For practical applications, round to the desired decimal places based on your precision requirements.
Converting font sizes and layout measurements for professional printing.
Setting precise typography specifications in publishing software.
Ensuring consistency between digital and physical design elements.
Calculating page layouts, margins, and text dimensions.
Converting between print and screen typography specifications.
Setting precise measurements for professional documents and forms.
The 72-point standard was established by Adobe PostScript in the 1980s. It was chosen because 72 is highly divisible (by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 72), making it convenient for calculations. This replaced the traditional printer's point (72.27 points per inch) and has become the universal standard in digital typography.
Points and picas are both typographic units. One pica equals 12 points, and one inch equals 6 picas or 72 points. Picas are often used for measuring larger elements like column widths and page margins, while points are typically used for font sizes and fine spacing adjustments.
No, they are completely different. Typographic points (pt) are units of measurement for type size and spacing, while decimal points are punctuation marks used in numbers. The shared name is coincidental.
For most print and digital applications, rounding to 4-6 decimal places is sufficient. Professional printing may require higher precision, but modern design software handles these conversions automatically with high accuracy.
Body text typically ranges from 10-12 points (0.139-0.167 inches), headings from 18-36 points (0.25-0.5 inches), and display text can be 48 points (0.667 inches) or larger. The standard document text size is 12 points, which equals exactly 0.167 inches or 1/6 of an inch.
Yes, but with caution. While CSS and design tools support point units, pixels (px) or relative units (em, rem) are generally preferred for screen design because they adapt better to different display densities and user preferences. Points are most reliable for print-destined designs.