Convert Pica to Inch
Convert picas to inches instantly. 1 pica = 0.1666666654 inch — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Inch to Pica converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Pica
A pica is a typographic unit equal to exactly 12 points, or 1/6 inch (about 4.233 mm). It is used for measuring column widths and large typographic elements.
The PostScript pica of 12 points = 1/6 inch was standardised in 1984 alongside the PostScript point. Traditional pre-1984 picas varied slightly (e.g., the American pica was 0.166 inch, very close but not identical).
Picas are used for column widths in newspaper and magazine layout (typical column is 11–15 picas), line spacing in book design, and large typographic measurements. Mostly used by professional typesetters.
Modern PostScript pica defined in 1984 at 12 points = 1/6 inch; older typographic systems used slightly different pica values.
Inch
An inch is an Imperial and US customary unit of length defined since 1959 as exactly 25.4 millimeters (0.0254 meters). It is still the standard small unit of length in the United States, the United Kingdom (informally), and a few other countries.
The inch derives from the Roman uncia (one-twelfth of a foot) and survived through Anglo-Saxon and medieval English measurement systems. Various definitions persisted regionally until the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement standardized the inch globally as exactly 25.4 mm.
Inches are used in the US and UK for body height, screen sizes (TVs, monitors, phones), tire sizes, plumbing, lumber, paper sizes (US Letter is 8.5 × 11 in), and most consumer product specifications in the United States.
Anglo-Saxon origin (predating 1066); standardized to 25.4 mm exactly by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, signed by the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Pica to Inch conversion formula
The relationship between picas and inches:
To convert picas to inches, multiply the value in picas by 0.1666666654. To reverse, multiply inches by 6.0000000472.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in inches updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Inch to Pica converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert picas to inches
- Write down the value in picas (pc).
- Multiply that value by the factor 0.1666666654.
- The product is the equivalent value in inches (in).
- To reverse, multiply the inch value by 6.0000000472.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 pc to in:
1 × 0.1666666654 = 0.1666666654 in
Example 2 — Convert 100 pc to in:
100 × 0.1666666654 = 16.6666665354 in
Real-world example — Ruler-scale measurements
A 30-pica school ruler converts cleanly to inches — useful when buying a desk accessory from a retailer whose product specs use a different unit.
30 pc × 0.1666666654 = 4.9999999606 in
Real-world example — Hardware-scale dimensions
A 10-pica fastener or component is about as long as a thumbnail. Mechanics and DIY enthusiasts convert between picas and inches daily when mixing metric and imperial tools.
10 pc × 0.1666666654 = 1.6666666535 in
Real-world example — Postcard and small-object dimensions
A postcard is about 5 picas wide. Converting to inches is essential for international postal addressing forms that ask for dimensions in different units across countries.
5 pc × 0.1666666654 = 0.8333333268 in
Pica to Inch conversion table
Standard reference values for converting picas to inches:
| Pica [pc] | Inch [in] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.0016666667 |
| 0.1 | 0.0166666665 |
| 1 | 0.1666666654 |
| 2 | 0.3333333307 |
| 3 | 0.4999999961 |
| 4 | 0.6666666614 |
| 5 | 0.8333333268 |
| 10 | 1.6666666535 |
| 20 | 3.3333333071 |
| 30 | 4.9999999606 |
| 40 | 6.6666666142 |
| 50 | 8.3333332677 |
| 100 | 16.6666665354 |
| 500 | 83.3333326772 |
| 1000 | 166.6666653543 |
Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 pica?
How do I convert picas to inches?
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How many inches is 100 picas?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Pica to other length units
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (4 units)
Typographic (2 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 pc = 0.1666666654 in) 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 Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.