Picas to Points Converter

pica to point – How to convert pc to pt

Converting pica to point (pc to pt) is fundamental in typography, publishing, and digital design. Both units are still widely used today to define type size, line spacing, and layout precision. While points measure the fine details of typefaces, picas give structure to page design, making their conversion vital for designers, publishers, and printers.

What is a pica (pc)?

A pica (symbol pc) is a typographic unit used to measure layout dimensions, such as column widths or margins. By definition:

• 1 pica = 12 points

• 1 pica = ¹⁄₆ inch

For example, a newspaper column might be 15 picas wide, providing a clean and consistent measure for layout grids.

What is a point (pt)?

A point (symbol pt) is the smallest common typographic unit, primarily used to measure font size and spacing. By definition:

• 1 point = ¹⁄₇₂ inch

• 12 points = 1 pica

For instance, a font set at 12 pt is roughly ¹⁄₆ inch tall, aligning perfectly with the pica system.

Conversion formula: pica to point

The formula is straightforward since both units are directly connected:

• 1 pc = 12 pt

• 1 pt = ¹⁄₁₂ pc

So, to convert pc to pt, multiply the number of picas by 12.
Example: 5 pc × 12 = 60 pt.

For quick calculations, you can also use our Length Converter, which provides instant pica to point results and other length conversions.

Do you know?

• Pica fact: The pica system dates back to 18th-century Europe, when printers needed a standard unit to align columns and margins across presses.

• Point fact: In 1886, Nelson Hawks proposed the American Point System, which standardized points at ¹⁄₇₂ inch, shaping modern typography.

• Pica fact: Even today, design software like Adobe InDesign uses picas for page layout, often displaying measurements as “picas + points” (e.g., 10p6 = 10 picas and 6 points).

• Point fact: Most books and documents are printed in fonts ranging from 10 pt to 12 pt, a tradition that goes back centuries.

The rise of the point system in printing

In the early days of printing, there was no universal system for type measurement. Printers in different regions used their own standards, making it difficult to share fonts and layouts. This changed in the 18th century when French printer Pierre-Simon Fournier introduced a system of points for measuring type.

Later, François-Ambroise Didot refined this into the Didot point system, which spread across Europe. In the United States, Nelson Hawks developed the American Point System in the late 19th century, which standardized the relationship between picas and points: 12 points in a pica, 6 picas in an inch.

This standardization transformed publishing. Printers could now order type from different foundries, knowing it would align perfectly. When computers entered the scene, software designers adopted the same system, ensuring continuity between traditional printing and digital publishing.

The legacy of this system lives on in modern tools. Today, when you set a font size to 12 pt in Word or InDesign, you are working with a unit that traces its history back over 250 years. The ability to move between pc and pt connects centuries of typographic tradition with the digital workflows of today.

Tradition Meets Modern Design

The conversion from pc to pt reflects how typography balances structure and detail. Picas measure the broader framework of layouts, while points refine the smallest elements of type. Together, they create harmony on the printed page and in digital media.

By mastering this conversion, designers and publishers can ensure precision in their work, bridging centuries-old traditions with modern creativity. It’s a simple but powerful link between the past and the present of visual communication.

Check our full Conversion Tools. From typography to science, these calculators make it easy to handle units across disciplines.