Picas to Points Converter
Enter the typographical length in picas below to convert it to points.
Convert Picas (pc) to Points (pt)
Enter a value in picas (pc) (pc) to convert to points (pt) (pt).
Pica to Point Conversion Table
Table showing various pica measurements converted to points. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
How to Convert Picas to Points
To convert picas to points, multiply the typographical length by the following conversion ratio: 12 points/pica.
Since one pica is equal to 12 points, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The typographical length in points is equal to the typographical length in picas multiplied by 12.
For example, here's how to convert 10 picas to points using the formula above.
How Many Points Are in a Pica?
There are 12 points in a pica, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our pica to point calculator automatically converts your typographical length measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Picas and points are both units used to measure typographical length. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Pica?
A pica is a unit of typographical length equal to 12 points (pt), the base unit for typographical length. Typography pica equal to 12 points or 1/6 of an inch. [1]
The pica is classified as a standard unit of typographical length. Picas can be abbreviated as pc; for example, 1 pica can be written as 1 pc.
When working with picas (pc) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, picas (pc) are widely used across standard typographical length applications within international standard workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
What Is a Point?
Standard Desktop Publishing point equal to 1/72 of an international inch (0.352778 mm). It serves as a primary reference unit for measuring typographical length across scientific and practical applications. [2]
The point is classified as a standard unit of typographical length. Points can be abbreviated as pt; for example, 1 point can be written as 1 pt.
As the primary coherent reference unit for typographical length in this category, all other typographical length units are mathematically anchored to the point (pt).
In practice, points (pt) are widely used across standard typographical length applications within international standard workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
When converting typographical length between picas (pc) and points (pt), keep full floating-point precision (1 pc = 12 pt; 1 pt = 0.0833333 pc) during intermediate calculations and round only the final point figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Pica & Point Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our points (pt) to picas (pc) converter (pt to pc) to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting pixels (px) to points (pt), converting twips to points (pt), or converting points (pt) to pixels (px).
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Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Length)·Typography Metrology Standard — Picas (pc) (pc) to Points (pt) (pt)
- [2]BIPM SpecificationBIPM (SI Base Unit: Metre (m))·Unit Specifications: Pica (PostScript) (pc) & Point (DTP / PostScript) (pt)
- [3]NIST HB 133 ReferenceNIST HB 133 (NIST Handbook 133 (2019 Ed.))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (pc to pt)