Convert mm to points (pt) or points to mm at 72 pt per inch, with the same length shown in inches, picas, microns and pixels, plus a page-fit planner.
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mm to Points Formula
- pt = length in points
- mm = length in millimeters
- k = mm per point for the chosen point system
This calculator uses the modern PostScript/DTP/CSS point, k = 25.4 / 72 mm exactly. The following other point systems are shown for comparison only:
- DTP/CSS point: k = 25.4 / 72 ≈ 0.35278 mm
- TeX point: k = 25.4 / 72.27 ≈ 0.35146 mm
- Didot point: k = 0.376 mm
For width × height, apply the formula to each dimension separately. If your input is in centimeters or inches, convert first: 1 cm = 10 mm and 1 in = 25.4 mm.
Reference Tables
Reference conversions for DTP/CSS and two other point definitions. The calculator uses DTP/CSS points; the TeX and Didot columns are comparisons only.
| Millimeters | DTP points | TeX points | Didot points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mm | 2.835 | 2.845 | 2.660 |
| 5 mm | 14.173 | 14.226 | 13.298 |
| 10 mm | 28.346 | 28.453 | 26.596 |
| 25 mm | 70.866 | 71.131 | 66.489 |
| 50 mm | 141.732 | 142.263 | 132.979 |
| 100 mm | 283.465 | 284.527 | 265.957 |
Common page sizes converted to DTP points.
| Page | Millimeters | Points (W × H) |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 210 × 297 | 595 × 842 |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | 420 × 595 |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 842 × 1191 |
| Letter | 215.9 × 279.4 | 612 × 792 |
| Legal | 215.9 × 355.6 | 612 × 1008 |
| Business card | 90 × 50 | 255 × 142 |
Worked Example and FAQ
Example: Convert 12 mm to DTP points.
pt = 12 × 72 / 25.4 ≈ 34.016 pt. The rounded factor 0.35278 mm/pt is only an approximation.
Which point standard should you use? Use DTP/CSS for web design, PDFs, Word, InDesign, and Illustrator. TeX and historical Didot points use different definitions and require a matching conversion; this calculator does not select those systems.
Are PostScript points the same as DTP points? Yes. PostScript and CSS both define 72 points per inch, so the values match.
How do you convert points back to mm? Multiply points by k. For DTP points, mm = pt × 25.4 / 72; 0.35278 mm/pt is a rounded approximation. Optional raster pixels use the entered pixels per inch (PPI), while CSS pixels follow the fixed 96 px per inch reference relation.
What is a pica? One pica equals 12 points. A 72-point measurement is 6 picas, or 1 inch in the DTP system.
