3 rem equals 36 pt.
To convert rem units to points (pt), you multiply the rem value by the base font size in pixels, then convert pixels to points. Assuming the standard 16px base font size, 3 rem equals 48 pixels, and since 1 pt equals 1.333 pixels, 48 pixels converts to 36 points.
Conversion Tool
Result in pt:
Conversion Formula
The conversion from rem to pt uses the relationship between pixels and points, considering the browser’s base font size. By default, 1 rem equals 16 pixels. Since 1 point is defined as 1/72 of an inch and 1 pixel equals 1/96 of an inch, 1 pt equals 1.333 pixels (96/72).
Formula:
pt = rem × baseFontSize(px) ÷ (pixels per point)
Where:
remis the rem value.baseFontSize(px)is usually 16 pixels.pixels per point= 4/3 (or 1.3333).
Example for 3 rem:
- Calculate pixels: 3 rem × 16 px = 48 px
- Convert px to pt: 48 px ÷ 1.3333 ≈ 36 pt
So, 3 rem equals approximately 36 pt.
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 rem to pt:
- 5 rem × 16 px = 80 px
- 80 px ÷ 1.3333 ≈ 60 pt
- Answer: 5 rem equals about 60 pt.
- Convert 1.5 rem to pt:
- 1.5 rem × 16 px = 24 px
- 24 px ÷ 1.3333 ≈ 18 pt
- Answer: 1.5 rem equals about 18 pt.
- Convert 0.75 rem to pt:
- 0.75 rem × 16 px = 12 px
- 12 px ÷ 1.3333 ≈ 9 pt
- Answer: 0.75 rem equals about 9 pt.
- Convert 10 rem to pt:
- 10 rem × 16 px = 160 px
- 160 px ÷ 1.3333 ≈ 120 pt
- Answer: 10 rem equals about 120 pt.
Conversion Chart
This chart shows the conversion from rem values, ranging from -22.0 to 28.0, into points (pt). Use the chart by finding the rem value in the first column and reading across to see the equivalent point value. Negative rem values produce negative point measurements, which can be useful in some design calculations.
| rem | pt |
|---|---|
| -22.0 | -264.0000 |
| -20.0 | -240.0000 |
| -18.0 | -216.0000 |
| -16.0 | -192.0000 |
| -14.0 | -168.0000 |
| -12.0 | -144.0000 |
| -10.0 | -120.0000 |
| -8.0 | -96.0000 |
| -6.0 | -72.0000 |
| -4.0 | -48.0000 |
| -2.0 | -24.0000 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 2.0 | 24.0000 |
| 4.0 | 48.0000 |
| 6.0 | 72.0000 |
| 8.0 | 96.0000 |
| 10.0 | 120.0000 |
| 12.0 | 144.0000 |
| 14.0 | 168.0000 |
| 16.0 | 192.0000 |
| 18.0 | 216.0000 |
| 20.0 | 240.0000 |
| 22.0 | 264.0000 |
| 24.0 | 288.0000 |
| 26.0 | 312.0000 |
| 28.0 | 336.0000 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many points are in 3 rem with default font size?
- Is 3 rem equal to 36 pt or different?
- What is the formula to convert 3 rem into points?
- How do I convert 3 rem to pt in CSS?
- Does 3 rem always equal the same pt value?
- What is the point equivalent of 3 rem if base font size changes?
- Can I use 3 rem converted to pt for print designs?
Conversion Definitions
rem: Rem stands for “root em” and is a CSS unit that measures font size relative to the root element’s font size. Unlike em, which depends on the parent element, rem is consistent throughout a document, making scalable and predictable sizing easier to manage in web layouts.
pt: Pt, or point, is a physical unit of measurement primarily used in print and typography. One point equals 1/72 of an inch. It helps define font sizes and layout elements in print design, translating digital sizes into real-world measurements for accurate reproduction.
Conversion FAQs
Does changing the browser’s base font size affect the rem to pt conversion?
Yes, because rem units are relative to the root font size, if the browser’s default font size changes from 16px, the pixel equivalent of 1 rem changes accordingly. Since pt conversion depends on pixels, any change in base font size alters the rem to pt result.
Why do we use 1.333 as pixels per point in the formula?
The value 1.333 pixels per point comes from the ratio of pixel and point measurements in screen resolution. Pixels are 1/96 inch, points are 1/72 inch, so 1 pt equals 96/72 = 1.333 pixels. This ratio allows converting pixels to points accurately on screens.
Can 3 rem to pt conversion vary on different devices?
While the mathematical conversion is constant, actual rendering can vary if the device or browser overrides base font size or applies zooming. The rem unit depends on root font size, which can be affected by user settings or device defaults, impacting the displayed size in points.
Is it better to use rem or pt for web typography?
Rem is preferred in web design for scalability and responsiveness, since it adapts to user settings and root font size. Pt is more suited for print or fixed-size layouts. Using pt on screens can lead to inconsistent sizing due to differences in device pixel densities.
How do negative rem values convert to points?
Negative rem values convert to negative points by the same formula, multiplying by the base font size and dividing by pixels per point. This can be useful for offsetting or shifting elements in layouts, but negative font sizes are usually invalid.