When you need this conversion
Setting margins, bleed and gutters given in inches in software that works in points, building a PDF to a US page size, or reading the page dimensions a print dialog shows.
Useful values
- 0.0625 in (1/16) = 4.5 pt
- 0.125 in (1/8, a standard US bleed) = 9 pt
- 0.25 in = 18 pt
- 0.5 in = 36 pt
- 0.75 in = 54 pt
- 1 in = 72 pt
- 8.5 in = 612 pt
- 11 in = 792 pt
US page sizes in points
PDF files record every page size in points:
- Letter (8.5 × 11 in): 612 × 792 pt
- Legal (8.5 × 14 in): 612 × 1008 pt
- Tabloid (11 × 17 in): 792 × 1224 pt
The paper size calculator lists these and the ISO sizes in millimeters, inches and pixels.
Common mistakes
Mixing fractions and decimals. 1/8 inch is 0.125 in, not 0.18. Convert fractions to decimals first, or multiply the fraction by 72 directly (1/8 × 72 = 9).
Using pixels instead of points. Pixels depend on resolution; points are always 1/72 inch. For screen sizes, use inches to pixels.
The reverse is points to inches.