PC to PX Converter - Picas to Pixels Calculator
Free online pica to pixel converter for InDesign, web design, and CSS development. Convert PC to PX instantly with adjustable DPI settings for accurate print-to-web design conversion.
1pc × 96DPI ÷ 6 = 16px
Dots per inch, standard screen DPI is usually 96
Quick PC to PX Conversion Table
Reference table for common pica to pixel conversions at standard web DPI (96) and print DPI (72)
Web Standard (96 DPI)
| Picas (pc) | Pixels (px) |
|---|---|
| 1 pc | 16 px |
| 2 pc | 32 px |
| 3 pc | 48 px |
| 5 pc | 80 px |
| 10 pc | 160 px |
| 15 pc | 240 px |
| 20 pc | 320 px |
| 25 pc | 400 px |
| 30 pc | 480 px |
| 40 pc | 640 px |
| 50 pc | 800 px |
| 75 pc | 1200 px |
| 100 pc | 1600 px |
Print Standard (72 DPI)
| Picas (pc) | Pixels (px) |
|---|---|
| 1 pc | 12 px |
| 2 pc | 24 px |
| 3 pc | 36 px |
| 5 pc | 60 px |
| 10 pc | 120 px |
| 15 pc | 180 px |
| 20 pc | 240 px |
| 25 pc | 300 px |
| 30 pc | 360 px |
| 40 pc | 480 px |
| 50 pc | 600 px |
| 75 pc | 900 px |
| 100 pc | 1200 px |
Conversion Formula: For web (96 DPI): px = pc × 16 | For print (72 DPI): px = pc × 12 | Custom DPI: px = pc × DPI ÷ 6
Understanding Picas: Typography's Traditional Unit
Picas have been the standard measurement unit in typography and print design for centuries. Our converter bridges traditional print measurements with modern web development.
What is a Pica?
Historical Context
A pica is a traditional typographic unit dating back to moveable type printing. It equals exactly 1/6 of an inch or 12 points, making it fundamental to print design and layout.
Modern Usage
Still widely used in professional publishing, newspaper design, and print layout software like InDesign and QuarkXPress. Understanding picas is essential for print-to-web design workflows.
Conversion Relationship
1 pica = 1/6 inch = 12 points = 16px (at 96 DPI). This fixed relationship makes pica conversion straightforward and reliable for web development.
Conversion Mathematics
Core Formula
Our converter uses the standard formula: pixels = picas × DPI ÷ 6, derived from the relationship that 1 pica = 1/6 inch.
Standard Examples
1 pc @ 96 DPI = 16 px
6 pc @ 96 DPI = 96 px (1 inch)
12 pc @ 72 DPI = 144 px (2 inches)
Precision Standards
Our converter maintains sub-pixel precision for accurate professional work, rounding to one decimal place for practical CSS usage.
Conversion Examples
Web Standard
1 pc @ 96 DPI
= 16.0 px
Print Standard
1 pc @ 72 DPI
= 12.0 px
High DPI
1 pc @ 192 DPI
= 32.0 px
Professional Use Cases and Applications
Real-world applications where pica to pixel conversion is essential for professional design and development workflows.
Publishing & Editorial
Newspapers, magazines, and book publishers converting traditional pica-based layouts to digital formats. Essential for maintaining consistent typography across print and web.
Common Applications:
• Column width calculations
• Typographic grid systems
• Print-to-web migration
InDesign & DTP Software
Designers working with Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, or other professional DTP (desktop publishing) tools need accurate pica-to-pixel conversion when exporting designs for web implementation or coordinating with Photoshop projects.
Common Workflows:
• InDesign to HTML/CSS conversion
• InDesign to Photoshop coordination
• Layout specification handoff
• Design system documentation
Typography Specialists
Professional typographers and type designers working to maintain traditional typographic measurements in modern digital implementations.
Typography Work:
• Type scale development
• Line length optimization
• Classical proportion systems
How to Use the PC to PX Converter
Step-by-step guide for converting picas to pixels in your professional design workflow, including InDesign integration.
Set Your DPI
Enter your target screen DPI. Use 96 for standard web (most common), 72 for print standards or InDesign default, or custom DPI for Retina/high-resolution displays.
Enter Pica Value
Input your pica measurement from InDesign, QuarkXPress, or design specifications. Supports decimal values (e.g., 12.5pc) for precise measurements.
Get Pixel Result
View your instant pixel conversion with sub-pixel accuracy. The result updates in real-time as you adjust your inputs, perfect for quick iterations.
Copy to CSS
Click to copy either the complete CSS value (e.g., "16px") or just the number for use in your stylesheets, design tokens, or Photoshop.
InDesign Integration Tips
1Find Pica Values in InDesign
In InDesign, check the Control Panel or Properties Panel for object dimensions. Right-click on rulers to see current units. Convert these pica values to pixels for web implementation.
2Change InDesign Units to Pixels
Right-click on InDesign's ruler and select "Pixels" to match web dimensions directly. Or use Preferences → Units & Increments to set default units for easier workflow coordination.
3Coordinate with Photoshop
When creating images for InDesign frames, set both Photoshop and InDesign rulers to pixels by control-clicking them. This allows direct dimension matching without manual conversion.
4Export for Web Development
Convert all InDesign pica measurements to pixels before creating web specs. Use 96 DPI for standard web, or document specific DPI requirements in design handoff notes.
Frequently Asked Questions About PC to PX Conversion
Common questions about converting picas to pixels for web design, InDesign, and print-to-web workflows.
What exactly is a pica (pc)?
A pica is a traditional typographic unit equal to 1/6 of an inch or 12 points. It originated in traditional printing and remains the standard measurement in professional publishing and design software like Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, and other DTP (desktop publishing) applications.
How many pixels are in a pica?
At the standard web DPI of 96, one pica equals exactly 16 pixels (1pc = 16px). At print standard 72 DPI, one pica equals 12 pixels (1pc = 12px). The conversion depends on your target DPI setting. Use the formula: pixels = picas × DPI ÷ 6.
How do I convert InDesign picas to pixels for web?
To convert InDesign pica measurements to web pixels: multiply your pica value by 16 for standard web display (96 DPI). For example, a 10 pica column width in InDesign becomes 160 pixels in web design. You can also change InDesign's ruler units to pixels by right-clicking on the ruler and selecting "Pixels" for easier workflow.
Why use picas instead of pixels in design?
Picas are preferred in print and traditional publishing because they are absolute physical measurements (not device-dependent like pixels). Picas create better mathematical relationships between type size and layout, making it easier to work with whole numbers. They're essential for print design where physical dimensions matter, while pixels are better for screen-based design.
When should I use picas in web design?
Picas are primarily used when converting traditional print designs to web, maintaining design specifications from print layout software like InDesign, or working in publishing environments where pica measurements are standard. For new web-only projects, pixels, em, rem, or percentage units are typically more appropriate for responsive design.
Does CSS support pica units natively?
Yes! CSS supports pica units natively with the 'pc' unit (e.g., width: 10pc). However, most web developers prefer converting to pixels for better control and compatibility across browsers. The CSS pc unit is mainly useful for print stylesheets (@media print) rather than screen display.
How do picas relate to points and inches?
The relationship is: 1 pica = 12 points = 1/6 inch. Therefore, 6 picas = 1 inch = 72 points. This fundamental typography relationship makes it easy to calculate conversions: at 72 DPI, 1 point = 1 pixel, so 1 pica = 12 pixels. At web standard 96 DPI, 1 pica = 16 pixels.
What DPI should I use for pica to pixel conversion?
Use 96 DPI for standard web and screen design (most common). Use 72 DPI for traditional print work or when matching print software defaults. Use 144 DPI or 192 DPI for high-resolution displays like Retina screens. Our converter allows you to set custom DPI values for precise conversions.
Can I convert pixels back to picas?
Yes! To convert pixels to picas, use the formula: picas = pixels ÷ 16 (at 96 DPI) or picas = pixels ÷ 12 (at 72 DPI). General formula: picas = (pixels × 6) ÷ DPI. Most conversion tools, including ours, support bidirectional conversion.
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Ready to Convert Picas to Pixels?
Free online PC to PX converter with custom DPI settings. Perfect for InDesign users, web designers, and print-to-web conversion projects.
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