EM to PT Conversion Tool

Conversion Form

About the Unit

EM: EM is a relative unit that depends on the font size of the parent element in which the current element is inserted. That is, 1em will be equivalent to the font size of the parent element. If the font size of the parent element is 20px, 1em will be equal to 20px. This unit is particularly useful when you want to create dynamic layouts that adjust based on the context of the parent element. For example, using em instead of px ensures that the size of fonts, margins, or other layout elements will scale relative to the text size of the parent component, making the design more flexible and responsive. A key detail about em is that it can accumulate when used in chain (i.e., if a child element uses em to set its size and the parent element also uses em, the value will multiply), which can lead to unexpected results if not used carefully.

Live Unit Preview

See how different CSS units affect the size of the box below:

Why Relative Units Matter in Responsive Design

Using relative units like rem, em, and% is essential for creating flexible layouts that adapt to different screen sizes. These units allow elements to scale proportionally, ensuring that your design remains consistent and accessible across a variety of devices.

Embracing relative units in your CSS is a key step toward building truly responsive and user-friendly websites.

Understanding CSS Units: Key Concepts for Web Design

In web design, understanding CSS units is crucial for creating flexible and responsive layouts...

• px: Fixed size, precise control.
• rem: Based on root font size.
• em: Based on parent font size.
• %: Relative to parent dimensions.
• vw / vh: Relative to viewport size.
• pt: For print design (1/72 inch).
• cm / mm: For print or precise layouts.

CSS Units Comparison Table

The table below compares various CSS units and highlights their common use cases. This is useful when deciding which unit to use in a responsive design.

Accessibility Tips

• Use rem for font sizes — it respects the users default browser settings.
• Avoid fixed px values for text — it can impact readability when zooming.
• % and vh help create layouts that adapt to various screen sizes.

How CSS Units Impact Performance and Accessibility

While CSS units dont directly affect performance in terms of loading speed, they can impact the perceived performance and user experience. For instance, using relative units like rem makes it easier for users to zoom in and out, enhancing readability.

Accessibility tools, such as screen magnifiers and custom stylesheets, rely on developers using scalable units. By avoiding fixed px values for text, you ensure your UI remains usable for people with visual impairments.

Real-World Use Cases for Unit Conversion

Developers often need to convert between units when adapting designs from tools like Figma or Sketch to code. For example, a designer may define spacing in pixels, but your project may require rem for scalability.

• Converting px to rem for consistent spacing and typography.
• Switching vh to % for better layout control on mobile devices.
• Using em for nested component sizing that adapts to parent styles.

Did You Know? Fun Facts about CSS Units

• pt and in were originally used for print styles and are still supported in screen media.
• 1in in CSS equals exactly 96px, regardless of your actual screen resolution.
• ch is a rarely used unit that represents the width of the 0 character in the current font.
• ex is based on the height of the lowercase x, but is unreliable due to font differences.

Accessibility in Action: Visual Zoom Comparison

Below is a comparison of how different units respond when the user zooms the browser or changes font-size preferences:

Respecting User Preferences in CSS

In addition to choosing the right units, respecting user preferences like prefers-reduced-motion orprefers-color-scheme can greatly improve accessibility.

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  * {
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  body {
    background-color: #121212;
    color: #ffffff;
  }
}

FAQ: CSS Units