1 rem is equal to 12 pt.
The conversion from rem to pt depends on the base font size used in the browser or design system, which is usually 16 pixels. Since 1 point (pt) equals 1.333 pixels (px), and 1 rem equals 16 pixels by default, converting 1 rem to points involves converting pixels to points using this ratio.
Conversion Tool
Result in pt:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert rem to pt is based on the pixel equivalence of both units. By default, 1 rem equals 16 pixels, and 1 point equals 1.333 pixels. So the conversion is:
pt = rem × 16 ÷ 1.333
This works because rem units are relative to the root font size, usually 16px, and points are an absolute unit where 1pt = 1/72 inch, which is 1.333px on screens set at 96 dpi. So you first convert rem to pixels, then pixels to points.
Example:
- Start with 1 rem
- 1 rem = 16 px (base font size)
- Convert pixels to points: 16 px ÷ 1.333 = 12 pt
Conversion Example
- Convert 2.5 rem to pt:
- 2.5 rem × 16 = 40 px
- 40 px ÷ 1.333 ≈ 30 pt
- Convert 0.75 rem to pt:
- 0.75 rem × 16 = 12 px
- 12 px ÷ 1.333 ≈ 9 pt
- Convert 5 rem to pt:
- 5 rem × 16 = 80 px
- 80 px ÷ 1.333 ≈ 60 pt
- Convert 0 rem to pt:
- 0 rem × 16 = 0 px
- 0 px ÷ 1.333 = 0 pt
Conversion Chart
| rem | pt |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -288.0000 |
| -20.0 | -240.0000 |
| -16.0 | -192.0000 |
| -12.0 | -144.0000 |
| -8.0 | -96.0000 |
| -4.0 | -48.0000 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 2.0 | 24.0000 |
| 4.0 | 48.0000 |
| 6.0 | 72.0000 |
| 8.0 | 96.0000 |
| 10.0 | 120.0000 |
| 12.0 | 144.0000 |
| 14.0 | 168.0000 |
| 16.0 | 192.0000 |
| 18.0 | 216.0000 |
| 20.0 | 240.0000 |
| 22.0 | 264.0000 |
| 24.0 | 288.0000 |
| 26.0 | 312.0000 |
The chart shows rem values from negative to positive, and their corresponding points. Use it to quickly find the pt equivalent without calculation, especially for common values in design or typography. Negative values represent sizes smaller than 0 rem, useful in some contexts.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many points equal 1 rem in CSS?
- What is the point equivalent for 1 rem font size?
- Is 1 rem always 12 pt when converted?
- How do I convert 1 rem to pt in different browsers?
- Does 1 rem equal 12 points on all devices?
- What formula do I use to convert 1 rem to points?
- Why does 1 rem convert to 12 pt in web design?
Conversion Definitions
rem: rem, short for root em, is a CSS unit relative to the root element’s font size. Unlike em, which is relative to the parent element, rem always scales from the root, providing consistent sizing through pages. This unit helps in responsive design by adapting text and element sizes based on the root font.
pt: pt, or point, is a physical unit of length used in typography, equal to 1/72 of an inch. Points are used to measure font sizes and spacing in print and digital media. In screen displays, points are converted to pixels depending on screen resolution and DPI settings, maintaining consistency across devices.
Conversion FAQs
Why does 1 rem equal 12 pt by default?
Because 1 rem equals 16 pixels by default in most browsers, and 1 point equals 1.333 pixels, dividing 16 px by 1.333 results in 12 pt. This relationship is based on how screens render pixels and how print units map to digital displays. If the root font size changes, the rem to pt ratio changes accordingly.
Can the rem to pt conversion change with different base font sizes?
Yes, the conversion depends on the root font size set in the CSS or browser settings. If the root font size is something other than 16px, then 1 rem will equal that pixel size, changing the conversion to points. So, for example, if root font is 20px, 1 rem would convert to approximately 15 pt (20 ÷ 1.333).
Is pt unit still relevant in web design when rem exists?
Points are less commonly used in web design because rem and em provide better flexibility for responsive layouts. However, pt remains relevant in print-related CSS styles, PDF generation, or when designs require exact physical dimensions. Rem is more flexible for screen-based scaling.
How does screen resolution affect rem to pt conversion?
Screen resolution and DPI affect how pixels map to physical sizes, but the CSS specification defines 1pt as 1/72 inch and 1px as 1/96 inch. Browsers approximate these ratios to keep rem and pt conversions consistent. However, on high-DPI devices, the visual size can differ even if the numeric conversion remains the same.
Is there a quick way to convert rem to pt without a calculator?
Since 1 rem equals 12 pt with default settings, you can multiply rem values by 12 to get an approximate pt value. For more precise conversion, divide the rem pixel equivalent by 1.333. The conversion tool above can also help you get exact results instantly.
