Convert Pica to Point
Convert picas to points instantly. 1 pica = 11.9999991496 point — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Point 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.
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.
Pica to Point conversion formula
The relationship between picas and points:
To convert picas to points, multiply the value in picas by 11.9999991496. To reverse, multiply points by 0.0833333392.
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 Pica converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert picas to points
- Write down the value in picas (pc).
- Multiply that value by the factor 11.9999991496.
- The product is the equivalent value in points (pt).
- To reverse, multiply the point value by 0.0833333392.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 pc to pt:
1 × 11.9999991496 = 11.9999991496 pt
Example 2 — Convert 100 pc to pt:
100 × 11.9999991496 = 1199.9999149606 pt
Real-world example — Adjacent metric sub-units
One pica equals 1,000 points. Engineers move between these scales constantly: PCB feature sizes in the larger unit, wire-bond diameters in the smaller.
1 pc × 11.9999991496 = 11.9999991496 pt
Real-world example — Adjacent small-scale precision
One pica 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 pc × 11.9999991496 = 11.9999991496 pt
Pica to Point conversion table
Standard reference values for converting picas to points:
| Pica [pc] | Point [pt] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.1199999915 |
| 0.1 | 1.199999915 |
| 1 | 11.9999991496 |
| 2 | 23.9999982992 |
| 3 | 35.9999974488 |
| 4 | 47.9999965984 |
| 5 | 59.999995748 |
| 10 | 119.9999914961 |
| 20 | 239.9999829921 |
| 30 | 359.9999744882 |
| 40 | 479.9999659843 |
| 50 | 599.9999574803 |
| 100 | 1199.9999149606 |
| 500 | 5999.9995748032 |
| 1000 | 11999.9991496064 |
Frequently asked questions
How many points is 1 pica?
How do I convert picas to points?
How do I convert points back to picas?
How many points is 100 picas?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Pica to other length units
Show all Pica conversions
Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (4 units)
Typographic (2 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 pc = 11.9999991496 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.