Pica (desktop publishing) (pc)
Exactly 12 points, 1/6 inch (about 4.233 mm). Used for column widths and line lengths.
What is a pica?
- Symbol
- pc
- Quantity
- Typography
- Unit system
- other
- Definition
- Exactly 12 points, 1/6 inch (about 4.233 mm). Used for column widths and line lengths.
- Exact
- Yes, the value is exact by definition
- Source
- W3C CSS Values and Units Module Level 3 (absolute lengths)
Common applications
Used by designers and typesetters for column widths, margins and line lengths.
Pica (desktop publishing) in other typography units
- 1 pc ≈ 4.233333333 mmMillimeter
- 1 pc ≈ 0.4233333333 cmCentimeter
- 1 pc ≈ 0.004233333333 mMeter
- 1 pc ≈ 0.1666666667 inPica (desktop publishing) to Inch converter
- 1 pc = 12 ptPoint (desktop publishing)
- 1 pc = 16 pxPixel (CSS)
- 1 pc ≈ 16.93333333 QQuarter-millimeter (Q)
- 1 pc ≈ 12.04500012 pt (printer's)Point (printer's, traditional)
- 1 pc ≈ 1.00375001 pc (printer's)Pica (printer's, traditional)
Pica (desktop publishing) quick reference
| Pica (desktop publishing) | Inch | Millimeter | Point (desktop publishing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pc | ≈ 0.1666666667 in | ≈ 4.233333333 mm | = 12 pt |
| 10 pc | ≈ 1.666666667 in | ≈ 42.33333333 mm | = 120 pt |
| 100 pc | ≈ 16.66666667 in | ≈ 423.3333333 mm | = 1200 pt |
| 1000 pc | ≈ 166.6666667 in | ≈ 4233.333333 mm | = 12000 pt |
Where the pica fits
The next smaller typography unit is the printer's pica (pc (printer's)). 1 pc ≈ 1.00375001 pc (printer's), and 1 pc (printer's) = 0.996264 pc.
The next larger typography unit is the centimeter (cm). 1 pc ≈ 0.4233333333 cm, and 1 cm ≈ 2.362204724 pc.
Frequently asked questions
- How many inches are in one pica?
- One pica ≈ 0.1666666667 in (inches).
- How many millimeters are in one pica?
- One pica ≈ 4.233333333 mm (millimeters).
- How many points are in one pica?
- One pica = 12 pt (points).