8.5 pt equals approximately 0.298 cm.
The conversion from points (pt) to centimeters (cm) involves multiplying the point value by a fixed factor based on their relation to inches and centimeters. Since 1 pt is 1/72 of an inch, and 1 inch equals 2.54 cm, multiplying 8.5 by these factors gives the length in centimeters.
Conversion Tool
Result in cm:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert points (pt) to centimeters (cm) is:
cm = pt × (2.54 cm / 72)
Why this works? Because 1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters, and there are 72 points in an inch. So, converting points to inches, then inches to centimeters, results in multiplying points by 2.54 divided by 72.
Example calculation for 8.5 pt:
- Convert points to inches: 8.5 pt × (1 inch / 72 pt) = 0.1181 inches
- Convert inches to centimeters: 0.1181 inches × 2.54 cm/inch = 0.298 cm
Conversion Example
- 12 pt to cm:
- 12 × (2.54 ÷ 72) = 12 × 0.0352777 = 0.4233 cm
- Step 1: 12 pt to inches = 12/72 = 0.1667 inches
- Step 2: 0.1667 × 2.54 = 0.4233 cm
- 5 pt to cm:
- 5 × (2.54 ÷ 72) = 5 × 0.0352777 = 0.1764 cm
- Step 1: 5/72 = 0.06944 inches
- Step 2: 0.06944 × 2.54 = 0.1764 cm
- 20 pt to cm:
- 20 × 0.0352777 = 0.7056 cm
- Step 1: 20/72 = 0.2778 inches
- Step 2: 0.2778 × 2.54 = 0.7056 cm
- 0 pt to cm:
- 0 × 0.0352777 = 0 cm
- Step 1: 0/72 = 0 inches
- Step 2: 0 × 2.54 = 0 cm
Conversion Chart
Below is a table showing the conversion from points (pt) to centimeters (cm) for values between -16.5 and 33.5. To use the chart, find the given pt value in the left column and read across to see the equivalent length in cm.
| Points (pt) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| -16.5 | -0.7205 |
| -12 | -0.4233 |
| -7.5 | -0.2646 |
| -3 | -0.1059 |
| 0 | 0 |
| 3.5 | 0.1233 |
| 7 | 0.2466 |
| 10.5 | 0.3699 |
| 14 | 0.4932 |
| 17.5 | 0.6165 |
| 21 | 0.7398 |
| 24.5 | 0.8631 |
| 28 | 0.9864 |
| 31.5 | 1.1097 |
| 33.5 | 1.1803 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many centimeters is 8.5 points in typography?
- What is the equivalent length of 8.5 pt in cm for printing?
- Converting 8.5 pt to centimeters for graphic design, how much is it?
- Is 8.5 pt greater than 0.3 cm or less?
- How to quickly convert 8.5 pt font size to cm?
- What formula converts 8.5 pt units into centimeters?
- Does 8.5 pt equal about 0.3 cm in length?
Conversion Definitions
pt (point): A point is a unit of measurement used mainly in typography, equal to 1/72 of an inch. It measures font sizes, spacing, and other design elements in print or digital media. The size is fixed, making it a standard measurement across many platforms.
cm (centimeter): A centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one-hundredth of a meter. Commonly used worldwide, it measures small distances or object sizes. It is part of the International System of Units and widely accepted in science, engineering, and everyday use.
Conversion FAQs
Can I use this conversion for non-typographic measurements?
While the point is mostly for typography, technically you can convert pt to cm using the same formula for any linear dimension. But remember, points outside of print or screen measurements might not represent physical sizes accurately.
Why is 1 point exactly 1/72 of an inch?
The point unit was standardized to 1/72 inch to align with traditional print measurements and digital displays. This standardization allows designers and printers to have consistent sizing across devices and media, even if the actual output resolution varies.
Does screen resolution affect point to cm conversions?
No, the point-to-centimeter conversion is independent of screen resolution. Points define physical size in print, but screens show pixels. So, translating points to centimeters remains constant, but how it appears visually depends on pixel density (DPI or PPI).
Is rounding necessary when converting pt to cm?
Rounding depends on the precision required. For printing or design, four decimal places often suffice. However, for scientific measurements, higher precision might be needed. The conversion formula itself is exact based on defined units.
Can negative point values be converted to centimeters?
Mathematically yes, negative points convert to negative centimeters, but physically negative lengths don’t exist, so they represent direction or difference rather than actual size.
Last Updated : 22 July, 2025
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.