Convert Centimeter to Point
Convert centimeters to points instantly. 1 centimeter = 28.3464549073 point — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Point to Centimeter converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Centimeter
A centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter (1/100 m). It is one of the most commonly used SI sub-units in daily life, especially for measuring small objects, body dimensions, paper sizes, and short distances.
The centimeter emerged from the French metric system established by the French Academy of Sciences in 1793. The metric system introduced decimal-based prefixes (milli-, centi-, deci-, deca-, hecto-, kilo-) to create proportional sub-units of the meter.
Centimeters are the standard unit for everyday measurement in nearly every country outside the United States. They are used for body height, clothing sizes, rainfall, paper formats (A4 is 21 × 29.7 cm), screen dimensions, and most consumer product specifications.
Developed in France during the late 18th century as part of the metric system designed by the French Academy of Sciences. Formally adopted in France in 1795 and ratified internationally through the Metre Convention signed in Paris in 1875.
Point
A point is a typographic unit equal to 1/72 of an inch (about 0.353 mm) in the PostScript point system. It is the standard unit for font sizes and typographic measurements in modern digital publishing.
The PostScript/Adobe point of exactly 1/72 inch was adopted in 1984 with the release of PostScript. This replaced earlier, slightly different typographic points (Didot, Truchet, Pica points) that had varied across regional printing traditions.
Points are used throughout typesetting, word processing, and design software for font sizes (typical body text is 10–12 pt) and small typographic dimensions. The web's standard typography unit, even when expressed in CSS as 1pt = 1.333px.
PostScript point of 1/72 inch defined by Adobe in 1984; predecessors include the Didot point (France, ~0.376 mm) and the Truchet/Pica systems.
Centimeter to Point conversion formula
The relationship between centimeters and points:
To convert centimeters to points, multiply the value in centimeters by 28.3464549073. To reverse, multiply points by 0.03527778.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in points updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Point to Centimeter converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert centimeters to points
- Write down the value in centimeters (cm).
- Multiply that value by the factor 28.3464549073.
- The product is the equivalent value in points (pt).
- To reverse, multiply the point value by 0.03527778.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 cm to pt:
1 × 28.3464549073 = 28.3464549073 pt
Example 2 — Convert 100 cm to pt:
100 × 28.3464549073 = 2834.645490731 pt
Real-world example — Adjacent metric sub-units
One centimeter equals 1,000 points. Engineers move between these scales constantly: PCB feature sizes in the larger unit, wire-bond diameters in the smaller.
1 cm × 28.3464549073 = 28.3464549073 pt
Real-world example — Adjacent small-scale precision
One centimeter equals 1,000 points — the standard sub-millimeter precision conversion that materials engineers use whenever they switch between bulk material thickness specs (larger unit) and surface-finish characteristics (smaller unit).
1 cm × 28.3464549073 = 28.3464549073 pt
Centimeter to Point conversion table
Standard reference values for converting centimeters to points:
| Centimeter [cm] | Point [pt] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.2834645491 |
| 0.1 | 2.8346454907 |
| 1 | 28.3464549073 |
| 2 | 56.6929098146 |
| 3 | 85.0393647219 |
| 4 | 113.3858196292 |
| 5 | 141.7322745365 |
| 10 | 283.4645490731 |
| 20 | 566.9290981462 |
| 30 | 850.3936472193 |
| 40 | 1133.8581962924 |
| 50 | 1417.3227453655 |
| 100 | 2834.645490731 |
| 500 | 14173.227453655 |
| 1000 | 28346.4549073099 |
Frequently asked questions
How many points is 1 centimeter?
How do I convert centimeters to points?
How do I convert points back to centimeters?
How many points is 100 centimeters?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Centimeter to other length units
Show all Centimeter conversions
Metric / SI (17 units)
Imperial / US Customary (27 units)
Nautical (1 units)
Astronomical (9 units)
Atomic / Physics (6 units)
Typographic (3 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 cm = 28.3464549073 pt) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Hydrographic Organization — Resolution on the Nautical Mile
International authority that standardised the nautical mile at exactly 1852 m in 1929 — the value adopted worldwide for sea and air navigation.