Convert pt to cm
At the browser default root font size of 16 px, 1pt = 0.035278cm. Change the base below if your project uses a different root size.
Formula
cm = pt × 0.035278
pt = cm × 28.3465Both units are absolute in CSS, so this ratio never changes regardless of font size or user settings.
PT to CM conversion table
| pt | cm |
|---|---|
| 8pt | 0.282222cm |
| 10pt | 0.352778cm |
| 12pt | 0.423333cm |
| 14pt | 0.493889cm |
| 16pt | 0.564444cm |
| 18pt | 0.635cm |
| 20pt | 0.705556cm |
| 24pt | 0.846667cm |
| 28pt | 0.987778cm |
| 32pt | 1.1289cm |
| 36pt | 1.27cm |
| 40pt | 1.4111cm |
| 48pt | 1.6933cm |
| 56pt | 1.9756cm |
| 64pt | 2.2578cm |
| 72pt | 2.54cm |
| 80pt | 2.8222cm |
| 96pt | 3.3867cm |
| 128pt | 4.5156cm |
About pt
A point is 1/72nd of an inch, inherited from print typography. CSS defines it as exactly 4/3 of a pixel, so 12 pt equals 16 px.
About cm
One centimetre is 96/2.54 ≈ 37.795 CSS pixels. Useful in print stylesheets, misleading on screen.
Which unit should you use?
| Property | Recommended unit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Font size | rem | Scales with the user's browser font-size preference, which px ignores — an accessibility requirement. |
| Padding and margin | rem or em | rem for a consistent global rhythm; em when the spacing should track the component's own text size. |
| Borders and hairlines | px | You almost always want exactly one crisp pixel, not a value that scales. |
| Media query breakpoints | em | Historically the most reliable across browsers when the user zooms. |
| Print stylesheets | pt, cm, mm | These map to real physical measurements on paper. |
Frequently asked questions
What is 16pt in cm?
16pt equals 0.564444cm at a 16 px root font size.
How do I convert pt to cm?
Multiply the pt value by 0.035278. Going the other way, multiply the cm value by 28.3465.
Does browser zoom change the result?
No. Both units are absolute in CSS and keep the same ratio at any zoom level, though the rendered size on screen changes.
Why does CSS use 96 pixels per inch?
It is a historical convention from early desktop displays that became the fixed CSS reference. It has nothing to do with your monitor's real pixel density — the browser scales CSS pixels to physical ones for you.