1.17 em is equal to 18.72 pixels (px).
Table of Contents
To convert em to pixels, you multiply the em value by the base font size in pixels. Assuming the base font size is 16px, multiplying 1.17 by 16 gives 18.72px. This shows how relative units like em relate to absolute pixel values based on context.
Conversion Tool
Result in px:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert em to px depends on the base font size of the element or the document. The conversion is:
pixels (px) = em × base font size (px)
Since em units are relative to the current font size, multiplying the em value by that font size in pixels gives an absolute pixel value. For example, if the base font size is 16px and the em value is 1.17:
- Step 1: Take the em value: 1.17
- Step 2: Multiply by base font size: 1.17 × 16 = 18.72
- Step 3: Result: 18.72px
This shows converting from a relative unit to an absolute measurement used for rendering on screens.
Conversion Example
- 2.5 em to px:
- Multiply 2.5 by 16 (base font size)
- 2.5 × 16 = 40
- Result: 40px
- 0.75 em to px:
- Multiply 0.75 by 16
- 0.75 × 16 = 12
- Result: 12px
- 1.9 em to px:
- Multiply 1.9 by 16
- 1.9 × 16 = 30.4
- Result: 30.4px
- 3 em to px:
- Multiply 3 by 16
- 3 × 16 = 48
- Result: 48px
- 0.33 em to px:
- Multiply 0.33 by 16
- 0.33 × 16 = 5.28
- Result: 5.28px
Conversion Chart
The table below shows em values from -23.8 to 26.2 converted into pixels, assuming the base font size is 16px. To read the chart, find the em value in the first column and see its equivalent pixel value in the second.
| Value in em | Equivalent in px |
|---|---|
| -23.8 | -380.8 |
| -15.5 | -248 |
| -7.2 | -115.2 |
| -3.1 | -49.6 |
| -1.0 | -16 |
| -0.5 | -8 |
| 0 | 0 |
| 0.5 | 8 |
| 1.0 | 16 |
| 2.3 | 36.8 |
| 5.7 | 91.2 |
| 10.0 | 160 |
| 13.6 | 217.6 |
| 18.1 | 289.6 |
| 22.5 | 360 |
| 26.2 | 419.2 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pixels does 1.17 em equal if the base font size is 16px?
- What changes when converting 1.17 em to px on different devices?
- Why does 1.17 em sometimes not equal exactly 18.72 pixels in CSS?
- Can the conversion of 1.17 em to px vary with browser settings?
- How is 1.17 em calculated to pixels in responsive web design?
- Is 1.17 em bigger or smaller than 18 pixels?
- How do I convert 1.17 em to px without knowing the base font size?
Conversion Definitions
em: A unit in CSS that measures relative to the font size of the parent element. If the parent font size is 16px, 1em equals 16 pixels. It allows scalable and flexible sizing, adjusting dynamically with the element’s font size changes, helping responsive layouts.
px: A pixel is an absolute unit representing a single point on a screen. Pixels are used to define fixed sizes for elements in web design. Unlike em, px stays constant regardless of font size or user settings, giving precise control over element dimensions.
Conversion FAQs
What happens if the base font size isn’t 16px when converting 1.17 em?
If the base font size differs, the conversion changes proportionally. For example, if the base font size is 20px, then 1.17 em equals 1.17 × 20 = 23.4px. The em unit scales relative to the base font size, so knowing that value is necessary for correct conversion.
Why might 1.17 em result in different pixel values on various browsers?
Browsers can have different default font sizes or zoom settings, which affects em conversions. Also, user preferences and style inheritance can alter the base font size, causing 1.17 em to map to different pixel values across environments.
Can negative em values like -1.17 em be converted to px?
Yes, negative em values convert the same way by multiplying with the base font size, resulting in negative pixel values. Negative sizes are unusual but can be used for certain CSS effects like offsets or positioning.
Does changing the font size on a parent element affect 1.17 em to px conversion inside it?
Yes, because em units depend on the parent font size. If a parent element’s font size increases or decreases, 1.17 em inside that element changes accordingly in pixels, reflecting the new base font size.
How precise is the conversion from em to px?
The precision depends on the decimal places retained. Pixels are discrete units but CSS allows fractional pixels for layout calculations. Using decimals like 18.72px is common, but rendering may round depending on device and browser.