1
in
25.4
mm
2.54
cm
1
in
25.4
mm
2.54
cm
The PostScript Points to Inches Converter converts PostScript/DTP points to inches, millimeters, and centimeters. The conversion is exact: 72 PostScript points = 1 inch. This is the fundamental relationship in digital typography and desktop publishing.
The PostScript point was defined by Adobe Systems in 1984 as exactly 1/72 of an inch (0.013889 inch = 0.3528 mm). This clean definition replaced the slightly irregular traditional printer's point (1/72.27 inch) and has become the universal standard in all digital design software, web browsers, and operating systems.
Every major design application uses PostScript points: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, QuarkXPress, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and all web browsers (CSS points). When you set text to "12 pt" in any application, each point is exactly 1/72 inch.
The converter provides results in three units for maximum flexibility: inches for American print specifications, millimeters for European and ISO standards, and centimeters for general metric use. This is particularly useful when converting between typographic specifications and physical measurements for print production.
Practical reference: a standard US business card is 3.5 x 2 inches = 252 x 144 pt. US Letter paper is 8.5 x 11 inches = 612 x 792 pt. A4 paper is 210 x 297 mm = 595.28 x 841.89 pt.
The formula is exact: inches = points / 72. For millimeters: mm = points x 25.4 / 72 = points x 0.3528. For centimeters: cm = points x 2.54 / 72. These use the exact definition of 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Common point-to-inch conversions: 1 pt = 0.01389 in, 12 pt (1 pica) = 0.1667 in, 36 pt = 0.5 in, 72 pt = 1 in, 144 pt = 2 in.
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72 pt = exactly 1 inch
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12 pt type height = 4.23 mm
Exactly 72 PostScript points = 1 inch. This is a defined exact value, not an approximation.
1 PostScript point = 25.4/72 mm = 0.35278 mm. This is derived from the exact definitions: 72 pt = 1 inch and 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Yes. CSS defines 1pt = 1/72 of 1 inch, identical to the PostScript point. All modern browsers use this definition.
Multiply inches by 72. For example, 8.5 inches = 612 points (width of US Letter paper in points).
A4 paper (210 x 297 mm) = 595.28 x 841.89 points. These are the exact PostScript dimensions used in PDF documents.
No. The PostScript point is exactly 1/72 inch (0.3528 mm). The traditional American printer's point is 1/72.27 inch (0.3515 mm). The difference is about 0.4%.
The original Macintosh display had a resolution of 72 pixels per inch, so 1 point = 1 pixel on screen. Adobe adopted this for PostScript to ensure WYSIWYG display on early Macs.
Font point size historically referred to the height of the metal type body, including space above and below the character. In digital type, it defines the em square height.
1 cm = 72/2.54 = 28.3465 points. Conversely, 1 point = 0.03528 cm.
PDF files use PostScript points (1/72 inch) for all measurements. Page dimensions, margins, font sizes, and coordinates are all in PostScript points.
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