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12 px is equal to 9 pt.
The conversion from pixels (px) to points (pt) depends on the standard that 1 pt equals 1/72 of an inch, and 1 px equals 1/96 of an inch. By applying these ratios, 12 px converts to 9 pt.
Conversion Tool
Result in pt:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert pixels (px) to points (pt) is:
pt = px × (72 ÷ 96)
This works because a point is traditionally 1/72 of an inch, and a pixel is considered as 1/96 of an inch on screens. Multiplying the pixel value by 72/96 adjusts the measurement from a 96 dpi scale to a 72 dpi scale.
For example, with 12 px:
- Calculate the ratio: 72 ÷ 96 = 0.75
- Multiply 12 px by 0.75: 12 × 0.75 = 9 pt
Conversion Example
- Convert 20 px to pt:
- Calculate ratio: 72 ÷ 96 = 0.75
- Multiply 20 by 0.75: 20 × 0.75 = 15 pt
- Result: 20 px equals 15 pt
- Convert 5 px to pt:
- Ratio is 0.75
- 5 × 0.75 = 3.75 pt
- Result: 5 px equals 3.75 pt
- Convert 30 px to pt:
- Ratio still 0.75
- 30 × 0.75 = 22.5 pt
- Result: 30 px equals 22.5 pt
- Convert 0 px to pt:
- Any number times zero is zero
- 0 × 0.75 = 0 pt
- Result: 0 px equals 0 pt
Conversion Chart
This chart lists pixel values from -13.0 to 37.0 and their corresponding points. To use the chart, find the pixel value in the left column and read across to see the equivalent point value on the right.
| Pixels (px) | Points (pt) |
|---|---|
| -13.0 | -9.75 |
| -12.0 | -9.00 |
| -11.0 | -8.25 |
| -10.0 | -7.50 |
| -9.0 | -6.75 |
| -8.0 | -6.00 |
| -7.0 | -5.25 |
| -6.0 | -4.50 |
| -5.0 | -3.75 |
| -4.0 | -3.00 |
| -3.0 | -2.25 |
| -2.0 | -1.50 |
| -1.0 | -0.75 |
| 0.0 | 0.00 |
| 1.0 | 0.75 |
| 2.0 | 1.50 |
| 3.0 | 2.25 |
| 4.0 | 3.00 |
| 5.0 | 3.75 |
| 6.0 | 4.50 |
| 7.0 | 5.25 |
| 8.0 | 6.00 |
| 9.0 | 6.75 |
| 10.0 | 7.50 |
| 11.0 | 8.25 |
| 12.0 | 9.00 |
| 13.0 | 9.75 |
| 14.0 | 10.50 |
| 15.0 | 11.25 |
| 16.0 | 12.00 |
| 17.0 | 12.75 |
| 18.0 | 13.50 |
| 19.0 | 14.25 |
| 20.0 | 15.00 |
| 21.0 | 15.75 |
| 22.0 | 16.50 |
| 23.0 | 17.25 |
| 24.0 | 18.00 |
| 25.0 | 18.75 |
| 26.0 | 19.50 |
| 27.0 | 20.25 |
| 28.0 | 21.00 |
| 29.0 | 21.75 |
| 30.0 | 22.50 |
| 31.0 | 23.25 |
| 32.0 | 24.00 |
| 33.0 | 24.75 |
| 34.0 | 25.50 |
| 35.0 | 26.25 |
| 36.0 | 27.00 |
| 37.0 | 27.75 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many points are in 12 pixels for print design?
- Is 12 px equal to 9 pt on all devices?
- What’s the difference between 12 px and 12 pt in typography?
- How to convert 12 px to pt for CSS font sizes?
- Does 12 px always convert to 9 pt in graphic software?
- What point size matches 12 px in Adobe Illustrator?
- Can 12 px be directly used as 12 pt in publishing?
Conversion Definitions
px (Pixel): A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image or display, representing a single point of color. It’s a screen-dependent unit, meaning its physical size varies with screen resolution and density, usually measured as dots per inch (DPI).
pt (Point): A point is a unit of length used primarily in print and typography, standardized as 1/72 of an inch. It provides a consistent measurement for font sizes and page layouts, unaffected by screen resolution or device pixel density.
Conversion FAQs
Why does 12 px convert to 9 pt and not 12 pt?
Pixels depend on screen resolution, typically 96 DPI, while points are fixed at 72 DPI. Since points measure physical length on paper, converting pixels to points requires adjusting by the ratio 72/96, causing 12 px to equal 9 pt instead of 12 pt.
Can 12 px to pt conversion change on different devices?
Yes, because pixels vary with screen density and resolution. However, points retain the same physical size. Therefore, converting based on standard DPI values is common, but actual sizes can differ on devices with varying pixel densities.
Is the px to pt conversion relevant for digital-only projects?
Conversion matters when preparing digital content for print or when precise sizing is needed across different media. For purely digital projects, pixels are more practical, but converting to points helps maintain consistency when printing or designing for physical media.
How accurate is the px to pt conversion formula?
The formula pt = px × 72/96 is an approximation based on standard screen and print DPI values. It works well for most use cases, but some devices with non-standard DPI or scaling can cause slight inaccuracies.
What tools can automatically convert px to pt besides manual calculation?
Many design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and web-based converters can perform px to pt conversions automatically. The simple JavaScript tool above also converts values instantly using the formula.
