PT to EM Converter
Use this free online pt to em converter tool to convert points to em units. Points are a traditional print unit while EM is a scalable web unit based on parent font-size. This converter bridges print typography and responsive web design.
To convert points to em, first convert to pixels by multiplying by 96 and dividing by 72, then divide by the parent font-size. The default parent font-size is 16px. This conversion is valuable when adapting print designs to web.
Conversion Formula
em = (pt × 96 ÷ 72) ÷ parent font-size
For example, to convert 12pt to em with 16px parent font-size, calculate (12 × 96 ÷ 72) ÷ 16 = 1em. Similarly, 24pt equals 2em because (24 × 96 ÷ 72) ÷ 16 = 2.
PT to EM Converter Conversion Table (Parent: 16px)
| PT | EM |
|---|---|
| 6pt | 0.5em |
| 8pt | 0.6667em |
| 9pt | 0.75em |
| 10pt | 0.8333em |
| 11pt | 0.9167em |
| 12pt | 1em |
| 14pt | 1.167em |
| 16pt | 1.333em |
| 18pt | 1.5em |
| 20pt | 1.667em |
| 24pt | 2em |
| 28pt | 2.333em |
| 32pt | 2.667em |
| 36pt | 3em |
| 48pt | 4em |
| 60pt | 5em |
| 72pt | 6em |
What is PT?
Points (pt) are an absolute CSS unit traditionally used in print design, where 1pt equals 1/72nd of an inch. In web contexts, points are often converted at a 3:4 ratio with pixels (3pt = 4px). While less common in modern web design, points remain relevant for print stylesheets and PDF generation.
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.