Typography / pt → pc
Convert DTP points to Picas
Convert absolute CSS lengths and desktop-publishing points. Convert DTP points (pt) to Picas (pc). Find the formula, worked examples, unit definitions, and practical guidance below.
Reverse: Picas to DTP points →
How to convert DTP points to picas
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 pc.
pc = pt × 0.013888888888888888 ÷ 0.16666666666666666
Worked examples
10 pt ≈ 0.833333333333 pc
Step 1: (10 × 0.0138888888889) ≈ 0.138888888889 in.
Step 2: 0.138888888889 ÷ 0.166666666667 ≈ 0.833333333333 pc.20 pt ≈ 1.66666666667 pc
Step 1: (20 × 0.0138888888889) ≈ 0.277777777778 in.
Step 2: 0.277777777778 ÷ 0.166666666667 ≈ 1.66666666667 pc.
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 Picas
Picas (pc) measures typography under the conventions above. The base value in in is (x × 0.166666666667), where x is the numerical value in pc. 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 picas reference table
| DTP points (pt) | Picas (pc) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0833333333333 |
| 5 | 0.416666666667 |
| 10 | 0.833333333333 |
| 25 | 2.08333333333 |
| 50 | 4.16666666667 |
| 100 | 8.33333333333 |
| 1000 | 83.3333333333 |
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