Print-Based Unit for Typography
The pt (point) is a unit of measurement traditionally used in print design. One point equals 1/72 of an inch. In web design, pt is mostly used for font sizes when creating print-like layouts or ensuring consistency with print materials. While pt provides a fixed size, it is less adaptable to various screen sizes and resolutions compared to relative units like rem or em. As a result, it’s not commonly used in responsive web design but can be useful when working with typography intended for both print and web environments.
Pro and contra of using the pt unit
Pros:
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Print Consistency: Ideal for typography in web design projects that need to match print layouts or typography, ensuring a consistent print size.
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Standard in Publishing: 1 point equals 1/72 of an inch, making it useful for projects that may be printed and need to maintain the same appearance across print and screen.
Cons:
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Lack of Responsiveness: pt is an absolute unit and doesn’t adjust to different screen sizes, making it less flexible for responsive design.
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Limited Use in Web Design: While often used for fonts in print projects, pt is not as commonly used in modern web design due to its lack of flexibility and scalability.
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Not Ideal for Screen Readability: Since pt is fixed in size, it doesn't consider the user’s device or settings, which could impact accessibility.
Calculator formula
Example
