Typography / pt → cm
Convert DTP points to Centimeters
Convert absolute CSS lengths and desktop-publishing points. Convert DTP points (pt) to Centimeters (cm). Find the formula, worked examples, unit definitions, and practical guidance below.
Reverse: Centimeters to DTP points →
How to convert DTP points to centimeters
These use CSS definitions: 1 inch = 96 CSS pixels = 72 points = 6 picas. A CSS pixel is not a physical screen pixel. Relative em, rem, and viewport units need a rendering context and are excluded.
Use x for the value in pt, b for the intermediate value in in, and y for the result in cm.
cm = pt × 0.013888888888888888 ÷ 0.39370078740157477
Worked examples
10 pt ≈ 0.352777777778 cm
Step 1: (10 × 0.0138888888889) ≈ 0.138888888889 in.
Step 2: 0.138888888889 ÷ 0.393700787402 ≈ 0.352777777778 cm.20 pt ≈ 0.705555555556 cm
Step 1: (20 × 0.0138888888889) ≈ 0.277777777778 in.
Step 2: 0.277777777778 ÷ 0.393700787402 ≈ 0.705555555556 cm.
Results are rounded to 12 significant digits. Converting units does not increase the precision of the original measurement. Very large or small values outside JavaScript’s finite numeric range are rejected.
About DTP points
DTP points (pt) measures typography under the conventions above. The base value in in is (x × 0.0138888888889), where x is the numerical value in pt. Factors shown here are rounded for display; calculations use the stored factor.
About Centimeters
Centimeters (cm) measures typography under the conventions above. The base value in in is (x × 0.393700787402), where x is the numerical value in cm. Factors shown here are rounded for display; calculations use the stored factor.
Definitions and sources
Keep these unit conventions consistent when using measurements in construction calculations.
DTP points to centimeters reference table
| DTP points (pt) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0352777777778 |
| 5 | 0.176388888889 |
| 10 | 0.352777777778 |
| 25 | 0.881944444444 |
| 50 | 1.76388888889 |
| 100 | 3.52777777778 |
| 1000 | 35.2777777778 |
Browse every typography conversion →