PC to EM Converter
Use this free online pc to em converter tool to convert picas to em units. Picas are a traditional print unit while EM is a scalable web unit based on parent font-size. Essential for converting print typography to web design.
To convert picas to em, multiply by 16 to get pixels, then divide by the parent font-size. The default parent font-size is 16px. This bridges traditional print units with parent-relative web units.
Conversion Formula
em = (pc × 16) ÷ parent font-size
For example, to convert 1pc to em with 16px parent font-size, calculate (1 × 16) ÷ 16 = 1em. Similarly, 2pc equals 2em because (2 × 16) ÷ 16 = 2.
PC to EM Converter Conversion Table (Parent: 16px)
| PC | EM |
|---|---|
| 0.5pc | 0.5em |
| 1pc | 1em |
| 1.5pc | 1.5em |
| 2pc | 2em |
| 3pc | 3em |
| 4pc | 4em |
| 5pc | 5em |
| 6pc | 6em |
| 8pc | 8em |
| 10pc | 10em |
| 12pc | 12em |
| 15pc | 15em |
| 18pc | 18em |
| 20pc | 20em |
| 24pc | 24em |
| 30pc | 30em |
| 36pc | 36em |
What is PC?
Picas (pc) are an absolute CSS unit from traditional typography, where 1 pica equals 12 points or 1/6th of an inch. In web contexts, 1pc equals 16 pixels. Picas are rarely used in modern web design but remain relevant for print-focused projects and legacy typographic systems.
What is EM?
EM is a relative CSS unit that scales based on the parent element's font size, making it highly context-dependent. By default, 1em equals the parent element's font-size value, creating a cascading effect through nested elements. While EM offers flexibility for component-level scaling, its cascading nature can make it unpredictable compared to REM in complex layouts.