Point (Printer's) to Character (X) Conversion

Convert between Point (Printer's) and Character (X) quickly and accurately.

From Point (Printer's)

To Character (X)

char

How to Convert Point (Printer's) to Character (X)

Conversion Formula

1 pt = 0.166 char

1 char = 6.023 pt

Example

Convert 15 pt to char:

15 pt = 15 × 0.166 char = 2.491 char

Unit Information

Learn about the typography units you're converting between

Point (Printer's)

Definition

A printer's point is the traditional typographic point used in professional printing, slightly different from digital points. One printer's point equals 19.9252801993 twips, reflecting historical printing measurement standards.

History/Origin

The printer's point has been used in typography for centuries, originally defined as 1/72 of an inch in traditional printing. It represents the historical standard for font sizing and typographic measurements in commercial printing.

Current Use

Printer's points are used in traditional printing, professional typography, and publishing for font sizing and text layout that maintains compatibility with historical printing standards and traditional typographic practices.

Multiplier

19.925

Offset

Character (X)

char

Definition

Character (X) represents the average width of characters in a font, used for horizontal measurements in typography. One character (X) equals 120 twips, providing a font-relative unit for text layout calculations.

History/Origin

Character (X) measurements were developed in early computer typography to provide font-relative horizontal spacing. The unit allows for proportional text layout that adapts to different font sizes and families.

Current Use

Character (X) units are used in programming, document layout, and typography for calculating text width, column sizing, and horizontal spacing that scales proportionally with font size changes.

Multiplier

120

Offset