REM to PT Converter
Result: 12pt
Calculation based on a root font-size of 16 pixels.
How to Use the converter?
Type a REM value to get points
Or type in the PT field to convert PT to REM
Change the root font size if yours isn't 16px
REM to PT: How the Conversion Works
Points (pt) come from print typography: one point is 1/72 of an inch. CSS defines one inch as 96px, so 72pt = 96px, which means 1px = 0.75pt and 1pt ≈ 1.333px.
REM is relative to the root font size, which browsers set to 16px by default. Put the two together and 1rem = 16px = 12pt. The formula is PT = REM × root font size × 0.75, which simplifies to PT = REM × 12 at the default 16px root.
If your root font size isn't 16px, change it in the field above. With a 20px root, 1rem = 15pt. With a 10px root (html { font-size: 62.5%; }), 1rem = 7.5pt.
Going the other way, REM = PT ÷ 12 at a 16px root. A 10pt body size from a print spec is 0.8333rem, an 18pt heading is 1.5rem, and 24pt is 2rem.
REM to PT Conversion Chart (16px Root)
| REM | Pixels | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5rem | 8px | 6pt |
| 0.625rem | 10px | 7.5pt |
| 0.75rem | 12px | 9pt |
| 0.875rem | 14px | 10.5pt |
| 1rem | 16px | 12pt |
| 1.125rem | 18px | 13.5pt |
| 1.25rem | 20px | 15pt |
| 1.5rem | 24px | 18pt |
| 1.75rem | 28px | 21pt |
| 2rem | 32px | 24pt |
| 2.5rem | 40px | 30pt |
| 3rem | 48px | 36pt |
| 4rem | 64px | 48pt |
| 5rem | 80px | 60pt |
When Points Matter
Print stylesheets
Inside @media print, point sizes map directly to paper. Setting body text to 11pt or 12pt gives predictable printed output, while the screen styles stay in rem.
PDF output
HTML-to-PDF tools such as headless Chrome, Puppeteer or Prince lay pages out in physical units. Converting your rem type scale to pt lets you check sizes against a print spec.
Matching office and design tools
Word, Google Docs, InDesign and Keynote size type in points. A 12pt document font is 16px, which is 1rem at the default root size, so a brief written in pt translates cleanly.
Not iOS points
Apple's iOS "points" are a different, density-independent unit: 1 iOS point is roughly 1 CSS px, not 1 CSS pt. Don't run iOS sizes through this converter.
Common Point Sizes in REM
8pt
0.6667rem
9pt
0.75rem
10pt
0.8333rem
11pt
0.9167rem
12pt
1rem
14pt
1.1667rem
18pt
1.5rem
24pt
2rem
Quick Conversion Tips
Converting REM to PT
Multiply the REM value by 12 (16px root × 0.75). Example: 1.5rem × 12 = 18pt
Converting PT to REM
Divide the point value by 12. Example: 10pt ÷ 12 = 0.8333rem
Learn More About CSS Units
Responsive Typography Best Practices
Build a type scale that works on screen and in print, with fluid sizes, sensible line heights and accessible units.
Read the guide →Related Converters
REM to PT: Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is 1rem?
1rem is 12pt when the root font size is 16px, the browser default. That's because 1rem = 16px and 1px = 0.75pt.
How do I convert REM to PT?
Multiply the REM value by the root font size in pixels, then by 0.75. At the default 16px root that's simply REM × 12: 1.5rem = 18pt and 2rem = 24pt.
How do I convert PT to REM?
Divide the point value by 12 (at a 16px root). 12pt = 1rem, 9pt = 0.75rem and 18pt = 1.5rem. Type into the PT field above to convert in that direction.
Why is 1px equal to 0.75pt?
CSS fixes 1in = 96px, and typography defines 1in = 72pt. So 1px = 72 ÷ 96 = 0.75pt, and 1pt = 96 ÷ 72 ≈ 1.333px.
Should I use pt units on websites?
For screen styles, no: use rem or px. Points are useful in print stylesheets (@media print) and when generating PDFs, where physical sizes matter.
Is 12pt in Word the same as 16px?
Yes. Word's 12pt default equals 16px in CSS, which is also 1rem at the default root font size. That makes 1rem a good match for normal document text.