Convert pc to cm
At the browser default root font size of 16 px, 1pc = 0.423333cm. Change the base below if your project uses a different root size.
Formula
cm = pc × 0.423333
pc = cm × 2.3622Both units are absolute in CSS, so this ratio never changes regardless of font size or user settings.
PC to CM conversion table
| pc | cm |
|---|---|
| 8pc | 3.3867cm |
| 10pc | 4.2333cm |
| 12pc | 5.08cm |
| 14pc | 5.9267cm |
| 16pc | 6.7733cm |
| 18pc | 7.62cm |
| 20pc | 8.4667cm |
| 24pc | 10.16cm |
| 28pc | 11.8533cm |
| 32pc | 13.5467cm |
| 36pc | 15.24cm |
| 40pc | 16.9333cm |
| 48pc | 20.32cm |
| 56pc | 23.7067cm |
| 64pc | 27.0933cm |
| 72pc | 30.48cm |
| 80pc | 33.8667cm |
| 96pc | 40.64cm |
| 128pc | 54.1867cm |
About pc
A pica is 12 points, or 1/6th of an inch — 16 CSS pixels. It survives mainly in print layout and legacy stylesheets.
About cm
One centimetre is 96/2.54 ≈ 37.795 CSS pixels. Useful in print stylesheets, misleading on screen.
Which unit should you use?
| Property | Recommended unit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Font size | rem | Scales with the user's browser font-size preference, which px ignores — an accessibility requirement. |
| Padding and margin | rem or em | rem for a consistent global rhythm; em when the spacing should track the component's own text size. |
| Borders and hairlines | px | You almost always want exactly one crisp pixel, not a value that scales. |
| Media query breakpoints | em | Historically the most reliable across browsers when the user zooms. |
| Print stylesheets | pt, cm, mm | These map to real physical measurements on paper. |
Frequently asked questions
What is 16pc in cm?
16pc equals 6.7733cm at a 16 px root font size.
How do I convert pc to cm?
Multiply the pc value by 0.423333. Going the other way, multiply the cm value by 2.3622.
Does browser zoom change the result?
No. Both units are absolute in CSS and keep the same ratio at any zoom level, though the rendered size on screen changes.
Why does CSS use 96 pixels per inch?
It is a historical convention from early desktop displays that became the fixed CSS reference. It has nothing to do with your monitor's real pixel density — the browser scales CSS pixels to physical ones for you.