What is a pica used for?

A pica is a typographic unit used in printing and design to measure type size, line length, and layout dimensions.

Can I use this tool for non-typographic length conversions?

This tool is intended for converting picas, which are mainly used in typography, to centimeters and may not suit other length units.

How to Convert from Pica to Centimeter [cm]

Q: How many centimeters are in one pica?

One pica equals 0.4233333333 centimeters based on the standard conversion of 1/6 inch.

Learn how to convert length measurements from pica, a typographic unit, to centimeters, a metric unit commonly used for various small to moderate distances.

Pica

Centimeter [cm]

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Pica to Centimeter [cm] Conversion Table

Pica	Centimeter [cm]

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Pica to Centimeter [cm] Conversion Table
Pica	Centimeter [cm]

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This tool helps you convert length values from picas, typically used in typography and layout, into centimeters, a metric unit used in everyday and scientific measurements.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value in picas you want to convert.
Select 'pica' as the from-unit and 'centimeter [cm]' as the to-unit.
Click the convert button to see the equivalent length in centimeters.
Use the output for design, printing, or measurement purposes.

Key Features

Converts pica units to centimeters quickly and accurately.
Supports layout and typographic measurements used in desktop publishing and design.
Easy to use interface for entering values and selecting units.
Browser-based with immediate conversion results.

Examples

Convert 5 picas to centimeters: 5 × 0.4233333333 = 2.1166666665 cm.
Convert 10 picas to centimeters: 10 × 0.4233333333 = 4.233333333 cm.

Common Use Cases

Setting column widths and margins in magazine or newspaper layouts.
Measuring line lengths and spacing in book and brochure typesetting.
Defining layout sizes in digital typesetting and CSS using the 'pc' unit.
Translating typographic measurements to metric units for printing and design calibration.

Tips & Best Practices

Ensure you use the correct typographic standard for your picas (PostScript or traditional).
Use this converter to bridge digital typography units with physical metric dimensions.
Cross-check converted lengths when precision is critical in printing or technical drawing.

Limitations

Picas are based on typographic standards and may vary slightly by definition.
Conversion assumes a fixed 1/6 inch equivalence which may differ across systems.
Centimeters may not be ideal for fine typographic adjustments compared to picas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pica used for?: A pica is a typographic unit used in printing and design to measure type size, line length, and layout dimensions.
How many centimeters are in one pica?: One pica equals 0.4233333333 centimeters based on the standard conversion of 1/6 inch.
Can I use this tool for non-typographic length conversions?: This tool is intended for converting picas, which are mainly used in typography, to centimeters and may not suit other length units.

Key Terminology

Pica: A typographic length unit equal to 12 points or 1/6 inch, used in layout and design.
Centimeter [cm]: A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter, used for measuring linear dimensions.
Conversion Rate: The factor by which one unit is multiplied to convert it into another unit.

Quick Knowledge Check

What unit does a pica primarily measure?

Mass

Length

Temperature

How many centimeters are in one pica?

0.4233333333 cm

1 cm

2 cm

In which field is pica commonly used?

Typography

Cooking

Astronomy

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