cm to pt Converter
Convert cm to pt instantly. Includes a reference table and formula.
| cm | pt |
|---|
How to convert cm to pt
Enter your value
Type the number of cm you want to convert into the left box. The result in pt appears instantly in the right box. You can also type into the right box to convert in the other direction.
Use the swap button
Click the ⇄ Swap button to reverse the conversion — pt to cm. Your current value carries across so you don't have to re-enter anything.
Why 28.3465 and where the point comes from
The centimetre is a metric unit; the point is a typographic unit with a much older, print-industry origin. Since Adobe's PostScript standard in the 1980s, a point has been fixed at exactly 1/72 of an inch — replacing the older 1/72.27-inch "traditional" printer's point that predates digital publishing. Because 1 inch equals exactly 2.54cm, that makes 1cm equal 72 ÷ 2.54 = 28.34645669... points, rounded to 28.3465 for everyday use. Almost all modern software — InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, CSS, web fonts — uses this PostScript/DTP point.
cm to pt for print design and typesetting
Page margins and bleed
Print briefs from clients or printers are often specified in millimetres or centimetres, while design software defaults to points. A standard 2.5cm page margin is about 70.9pt; a 3mm bleed is roughly 8.5pt. Converting these correctly before setting up a document avoids trim and margin errors at the print stage.
Font sizes and leading
Body text typically runs 9-12pt (0.32-0.42cm cap height), and headings 18-36pt (0.63-1.27cm). Line spacing ("leading") of 12pt equals 4.23mm or 0.42cm — useful when a style guide specifies leading in metric units but your software's type panel is set to points.
Switching units in InDesign/Illustrator
Type a value with its unit directly into any measurement field (e.g. "2cm") and Adobe software auto-converts it to the document's default unit. Or change the default ruler unit itself via Edit > Preferences > Units & Increments (Windows) or the app name's Preferences menu (Mac) if you'd rather work in cm throughout a project.
1 cm = 28.35 points. Typography body text: 9-12 pt = 0.32-0.42 cm. The point (1/72 inch) is the fundamental typographic unit — every other type measurement derives from it. A 12-point leading (line spacing) = 4.23 mm = 0.42 cm. Most typesetting software works in points.
| cm | pt |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 14.17 |
| 1 | 28.35 |
| 2 | 56.69 |
| 3 | 85.04 |
| 5 | 141.7 |
| 10 | 283.5 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cm to pt?
To convert cm to pt, multiply by 28.3465. Or use the calculator above for instant results.
How many pt are in 1 cm?
1 cm equals 28.3465 pt.
Is the cm to pt converter free?
Yes, the cm to pt converter is completely free with no sign-up required, no downloads, and it works offline once the page has loaded.
Why is a point 1/72 of an inch rather than a rounder metric figure?
There are two competing point systems. The traditional printer's point used before digital publishing was 1/72.27 of an inch. Adobe's PostScript standard rounded this to a clean 1/72 of an inch — now the standard used by InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, CSS and virtually all modern design software. This converter uses that modern definition, giving 28.3465 pt per cm.
What font size in points is a typical A4 page margin?
A common 2.5cm page margin equals about 70.9pt. Body text is usually set at 9-12pt (0.32-0.42cm tall), while headings run 18-36pt (0.63-1.27cm).
How do I convert cm to pt in InDesign or Illustrator?
Type a value with its unit directly into any measurement field — typing "2cm" into a field set to points auto-converts and displays "56.69 pt". You can also change the document's default ruler units to centimetres via Edit > Preferences > Units & Increments (Windows) or the app's Preferences menu (Mac).