Instant PX to
EM Converter
Instantly Convert Pixels to the
CSS Unit Em, and Vice Versa.
Pixels
EM
Parent Element's Font Size
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How to Use Instant PX to EM Converter
This amazing calculator effortlessly translates pixel measurements into the EM unit of CSS.
By default, the calculator assumes a standard parent element's font size of 16 pixels, widely used in web development. However, you have the flexibility to customize this default setting according to your preferred font size.
And, how do I use it?
Witness the magic as the calculations update dynamically while you type, and with just a single click on the copy button, easily transfer the result to the clipboard.
Like this:
How about Px to other units?
Ofcourse.
Convert PX to Other Units
Yes, you can turn pixels (px) into points (pt), centimeters (cm), rems (rem), or millimeters (mm), super fast.
I love that!
Pixels and EMs: The Basics
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A ‘pixel‘, abbreviated as ‘px’, is a standard unit of measurement in development.
It corresponds to a single point on a grid that makes up a digital screen, and it’s considered an absolute unit of measurement. Its size remains consistent, regardless of the device or screen resolution.
In contrast, ‘em‘ is a scalable unit in CSS that’s relative to the font size of its closest parent or the element itself. This property makes it extremely flexible and adaptable, especially when dealing with different screen sizes and device orientations.
For instance, if you have an element with a font size of 16px (the default), 1em for that element would be equivalent to 16px.
Pixel to EM Conversion
To convert pixel values to em, you simply need to divide the desired pixel value by the font size of the parent element or the element itself. Conversely, to convert from em back to pixels, you multiply the em value by the font size.
For example, if you’re working with a base font size of 16px (the standard), to convert a measurement of 32 pixels to em, you’d perform the following calculation:
32px / 16px = 2em
Likewise, to convert a 2em measurement back to pixels, you’d use:
2em * 16px = 32px
Pixel vs EM: Why Does It Matter?
You might be wondering why the choice between pixels and em units matters.
While pixels offer precision and simplicity, their rigidness can sometimes become a limitation. The dynamic nature of web design necessitates flexibility, which is where em comes in handy.
Em units are designed to adapt. The size of 1em is relative to the font-size of its parent element or the element itself, making it responsive to the user’s environment. This makes em a vital tool for creating scalable, accessible designs that can adjust to different screen sizes, device orientations, and user preferences.
Is EM Supported?
All modern browsers support em units, but if your audience uses older browsers, you may need to provide fallbacks or consider other options.
While em units offer scalability, they can make achieving a pixel-perfect design challenging due to their relative nature. If pixel perfection is critical to your design, you might want to stick with pixel units or consider using a combination of em and pixel units as appropriate.
If you change the parent element’s font-size, it will affect the value of em units for that element and its children. This is because 1em is equivalent to the current font-size of the parent element or the element itself.
So yes!
The main drawback is the complexity it can introduce due to the compounding effect of nested elements. This can be managed with careful planning and design.
