12 pt is equal to 16 px.
The conversion from points (pt) to pixels (px) is based on the fact that 1 point equals 1/72 of an inch, and pixels depend on screen resolution. Assuming a standard 96 DPI (dots per inch), 1 pt converts to 1.3333 px, so 12 pt becomes 16 px by multiplying 12 by 1.3333.
Conversion Tool
Result in px:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert points (pt) to pixels (px) is:
pixels = points × (96 / 72)
This formula works because a point is defined as 1/72 of an inch, but screens display pixels based on DPI (dots per inch), commonly 96 DPI. So 1 point equals 1/72 inch, and 1 inch corresponds to 96 pixels. Multiplying points by 96/72 converts the measurement to pixels.
Example calculation:
- Given 12 pt
- Calculate pixels: 12 × (96 / 72) = 12 × 1.3333 = 16 px
Conversion Example
-
Convert 8 pt to px:
- Take 8 points
- Multiply by 96/72: 8 × 1.3333 = 10.6664 px
- Result rounded: 10.6664 px
-
Convert 15 pt to px:
- Start with 15 points
- Multiply by 1.3333: 15 × 1.3333 = 20 px
- Output: 20 px
-
Convert 20 pt to px:
- 20 points input
- 20 × 1.3333 = 26.666 px
- Rounded result: 26.666 px
-
Convert 5 pt to px:
- 5 points
- 5 × 1.3333 = 6.6665 px
- Result: 6.6665 px
Conversion Chart
The table below shows point values from -13.0 to 37.0 with their pixel equivalents, calculated by multiplying each point value by 1.3333. You can use it to quickly find px values for a given pt input.
| Points (pt) | Pixels (px) |
|---|---|
| -13.0 | -17.3333 |
| -10.0 | -13.3333 |
| -5.0 | -6.6667 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 5.0 | 6.6667 |
| 10.0 | 13.3333 |
| 12.0 | 16.0000 |
| 15.0 | 20.0000 |
| 20.0 | 26.6667 |
| 25.0 | 33.3333 |
| 30.0 | 40.0000 |
| 35.0 | 46.6667 |
| 37.0 | 49.3333 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pixels equals 12 pt on a 96 DPI screen?
- What is the pixel value for 12-point font size in CSS?
- Does 12 pt always convert to 16 px across all monitors?
- How to convert 12 pt to pixels for web design?
- Why is 12 pt font size displayed differently in px on my device?
- Can 12 pt be converted to pixels for high DPI screens?
- What formula converts 12 pt to px correctly?
Conversion Definitions
pt (point): A unit of length used mainly in typography, defined as 1/72 of an inch. Points measure font size and other print-related dimensions. The point system provides consistent sizing regardless of resolution or display device, used since the 18th century in printing industry.
px (pixel): The smallest unit of a digital image or display, representing a single dot on a screen. Pixels measure screen resolution and dimensions in digital devices. Pixel size varies with screen DPI, affecting how content is rendered visually in different contexts.
Conversion FAQs
Why does 12 pt equal 16 px instead of 12 px?
Because points are defined as 1/72 inch, but most screens use 96 DPI, pixels per inch. Multiplying 12 pt by 96/72 scales the value to pixels, resulting in 16 px rather than 12. The difference comes from physical vs digital measurement standards.
Can the conversion change on devices with different screen resolutions?
Yes, the conversion assumes 96 DPI screens. Devices with higher or lower DPI will display pixels differently, so 12 pt may look larger or smaller depending on screen density, even if the calculation stays the same.
Is this conversion accurate for printing purposes?
No, printing uses physical measurements where points directly relate to inches. Pixels depend on screen resolution and don’t translate directly to printed size without knowing DPI settings of the printer.
Why use points instead of pixels for font size?
Points provide a consistent physical size regardless of screen resolution, useful in print and some digital applications. Pixels depend on device resolution, so fonts sized in pixels might appear differently across devices.
How to convert px back to pt?
To convert pixels to points, divide the px value by (96/72), or multiply by 72/96 (0.75). For example, 16 px divided by 1.3333 equals 12 pt, reversing the original conversion.