72px to em
72px = 4.5em
At the browser default font size of 16 px. Change it and this number changes — see below.
How it is calculated
One px is 0.0625em, so:
72px × 0.0625 = 4.5emReversing it, 4.5em × 16 returns 72px.
72px at other font sizes
em is measured against the element's own font size, inherited from its parent unless it sets one, so the answer above holds only while that is 16 px. Nested elements each compound on their parent, so this is the value for one level, not for the whole tree.
| Font size | 72px equals |
|---|---|
| 14 px | 5.1429em |
| 16 px (default) | 4.5em |
| 18 px | 4em |
| 20 px | 3.6em |
| 24 px | 3em |
Nearby values
| px | em |
|---|---|
| 36px | 2.25em |
| 40px | 2.5em |
| 48px | 3em |
| 56px | 3.5em |
| 64px | 4em |
| 72px | 4.5em |
| 80px | 5em |
| 96px | 6em |
Frequently asked questions
What is 72px in em?
4.5em at the default 16 px font size.
How is 72px converted to em?
Multiply by 0.0625: 72 × 0.0625 = 4.5. To go back, multiply 4.5 by 16.
Is 4.5em always the answer?
No. em is relative to the element's own font size, inherited from its parent unless it sets one, so 72px is 4.5em only while that is 16 px. The table above gives the value at the sizes you are most likely to meet.