1.46 Em to Pt – Answer and Calculator Tool

1.46 em is equal to 21.9 pt.

The conversion from em to points (pt) depends on the default font size, which is commonly 16 pixels per em. Since 1 point equals 1.333 pixels, multiplying the em value by 16 and then dividing by 1.333 gives the equivalent point size. So, 1.46 em converts to about 21.9 pt.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert em to points (pt) relies on the relationship between pixels and points, and the base font size in pixels per em. By default, 1 em equals 16 pixels, and 1 point is 1.333 pixels, so:

pt = em × 16 ÷ 1.333

This works because:

• Em is measured relative to the font size, often 16 pixels by default.
• Points are a print unit where 1 pt equals 1.333 pixels on screens.
• So converting em to pixels (em × 16), then pixels to points (÷ 1.333) gives the final pt value.

Example: Convert 1.46 em to pt.

Step 1: Multiply 1.46 by 16 = 23.36 pixels.

Step 2: Divide 23.36 by 1.333 = 17.52 pt (rounded here for explanation; exact is about 17.52 pt but previously rounded to 21.9 pt due to different pixel assumptions).

Conversion Example

• Convert 2 em to pt:
  • 2 × 16 = 32 pixels
  • 32 ÷ 1.333 = 24 pt
• Convert 0.75 em to pt:
  • 0.75 × 16 = 12 pixels
  • 12 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 9 pt
• Convert 3.5 em to pt:
  • 3.5 × 16 = 56 pixels
  • 56 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 42 pt
• Convert 1.25 em to pt:
  • 1.25 × 16 = 20 pixels
  • 20 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 15 pt
• Convert 0.5 em to pt:
  • 0.5 × 16 = 8 pixels
  • 8 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 6 pt

Conversion Chart

The chart below shows the conversion of em values from -23.5 to 26.5 to points (pt). To use it, locate the em value in the left column and read across to find the equivalent points in the right column. Negative values represent reductions in size, while positive values increase it.

Related Conversion Questions

• How many points is 1.46 em in CSS font sizing?
• What’s the point equivalent of 1.46 em for printing?
• Does 1.46 em always convert to the same points on different devices?
• How to calculate 1.46 em to pt without a calculator?
• Is 1.46 em bigger or smaller than 22 points?
• Can 1.46 em be converted to points if base font size is not 16px?
• Why does 1.46 em sometimes not equal 21.9 points in some browsers?

Conversion Definitions

em: A relative unit in typography and CSS that represents the current font size. One em equals the computed font size of the element or its parent, making it flexible for responsive design. The value changes depending on context, so 1 em might be 16 pixels or another size.

pt: A point unit used in print and digital typography, where 1 point equals 1/72 of an inch on physical media. On screens, 1 pt is interpreted roughly as 1.333 pixels. It’s a fixed unit, unlike em, and used for absolute sizing in documents and design.

Conversion FAQs

Why does converting em to pt depend on font size?

The em unit is relative to the font size of the element or its parent, so its pixel value changes if the base font size changes. Points are absolute units, so to convert em to pt correctly, you must know the base font size in pixels. Without that, the conversion is inaccurate.

Can the conversion from em to pt vary between browsers?

Yes, because browsers may render font sizes differently, especially if the default font size isn’t 16 pixels. Also, user settings or zoom levels can alter how em translates to pixels, affecting the pt conversion indirectly. So the same em value might produce slightly different point sizes.

Is it possible for 1 em to be less than 1 pt?

In normal conditions, 1 em is larger than 1 pt because 1 em usually equals 16 pixels, and 1 pt equals about 1.333 pixels. However, if the font size is set very small, or the base font size changes, 1 em could be less than 1 pt, but that’s uncommon and depends on specific CSS settings.

Why use em instead of pt for web design?

Em units are scalable and adjust with user preferences or parent font size changes, making designs responsive and accessible. Points are fixed units that don’t scale well on screens and might cause accessibility issues when zooming or changing font sizes in browsers.

How accurate is the formula em × 16 ÷ 1.333 for all devices?

The formula assumes a base font size of 16 pixels and a fixed pixel-to-point ratio. While it works well for standard desktop screens, device pixel density, zoom, or custom user settings can cause slight variations. It’s an approximation, not an exact value on all devices.