3 rem is equal to 36 pt.
The rem unit in CSS is relative to the root element’s font size, which is commonly 16 pixels by browser default. Since 1 point (pt) equals 1.333 pixels (px), converting rem to pt requires converting rem to pixels first, then pixels to points. Here, 3 rem translates to 48 pixels, which then converts to 36 points.
Conversion Tool
Result in pt:
Conversion Formula
The conversion from rem to pt requires two steps: rem to pixels, then pixels to points. By default, 1 rem equals 16 pixels in most browsers. Then, since 1 point equals 1.333 pixels, converting pixels to points involves dividing the pixel value by 1.333.
Formula:
1 rem = 16 px
1 pt = 1.333 px
Therefore, 1 rem = 16 px ÷ 1.333 = 12 pt (approx.)
Example calculation for 3 rem:
Step 1: 3 rem × 16 px/rem = 48 px
Step 2: 48 px ÷ 1.333 = 36 pt
Thus, 3 rem = 36 pt.
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 rem to pt:
- Multiply 5 by 16 px: 5 × 16 = 80 px
- Divide 80 px by 1.333: 80 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 60 pt
- Result: 5 rem ≈ 60 pt
- Convert 2.5 rem to pt:
- 2.5 × 16 = 40 px
- 40 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 30 pt
- Result: 2.5 rem ≈ 30 pt
- Convert 0.75 rem to pt:
- 0.75 × 16 = 12 px
- 12 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 9 pt
- Result: 0.75 rem ≈ 9 pt
- Convert 10 rem to pt:
- 10 × 16 = 160 px
- 160 ÷ 1.333 ≈ 120 pt
- Result: 10 rem ≈ 120 pt
Conversion Chart
| rem | pt |
|---|---|
| -22.0 | -264.0 |
| -20.0 | -240.0 |
| -15.0 | -180.0 |
| -10.0 | -120.0 |
| -5.0 | -60.0 |
| -1.0 | -12.0 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 1.0 | 12.0 |
| 5.0 | 60.0 |
| 10.0 | 120.0 |
| 15.0 | 180.0 |
| 20.0 | 240.0 |
| 22.0 | 264.0 |
| 25.0 | 300.0 |
| 28.0 | 336.0 |
The chart shows rem values in first column and their equivalent points in second. To use it, find the rem value you want to convert and read its corresponding pt value. Negative values are included to show how conversions work for negative sizes, which might appear in CSS transformations.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many points equal 3 rem in CSS font sizing?
- What is the exact pt value for 3 rem with standard browser settings?
- Does 3 rem always convert to the same number of points on all devices?
- How can I convert 3 rem to pt using JavaScript?
- Why is 3 rem equal to 36 pt when converting CSS units?
- Is the conversion from 3 rem to points affected by user browser zoom?
- What formula do I use to convert 3 rem into pt units accurately?
Conversion Definitions
rem: The rem unit in CSS stands for “root em,” representing the font size relative to the root element, usually the <html> tag. It allows consistent scaling of text and elements based on the root font size, improving responsive design and accessibility by keeping relative proportions across a webpage.
pt: Point (pt) is a physical unit of length commonly used in print and digital typography, equal to 1/72 of an inch. In CSS, points are used to specify font sizes and other measurements, providing a fixed-size scale which can be converted to pixels or other units depending on screen resolution and DPI settings.
Conversion FAQs
Can the root font size affect converting rem to pt?
Yes, since rem is based on the root font size, if the root size changes from the common 16 pixels to another value, the conversion to points will also change. For example, if the root font is 20 pixels, 1 rem equals 20 pixels, which changes the pt equivalent accordingly.
Why do we divide by 1.333 to convert pixels to points?
Because 1 point is defined as 1/72 of an inch and 1 pixel depends on screen resolution, the common standard conversion is 1 pt = 1.333 pixels. Dividing pixels by 1.333 converts pixel units to points, aligning digital measurements with physical print dimensions.
Does the conversion from rem to pt remain accurate on high DPI screens?
The conversion is based on CSS pixel assumptions and standard DPI. High DPI screens may render pixels more densely, but CSS units like rem and pt scale based on browser and OS settings, so the numeric conversion stays consistent, though physical size may vary.
Is it better to use rem or pt for web typography?
Rem is preferred for web typography because it scales relative to the root font size, adapting better for responsive design and user preferences. Points are fixed units and more useful in print or fixed-layout contexts, less flexible for different screen sizes.
What happens if browser default font size is changed, how does it affect rem to pt?
If a user or developer changes the browser default font size, the root font size changes from 16px to another value. Since rem units depend on that root size, the conversion to points must reflect the new root size to be accurate, otherwise the fixed formula becomes inaccurate.