Definition:
A point is a unit of measurement that is the standard for measuring type and is used for measuring depth of printing. However, there are actually several sizes used over the years for the point.
The most common point (but not all) sizes in use in printing at one time or another are:
- Originating in France, the Didot point actually varied in size depending on the printer using it, being a little larger or a little smaller than 0.376 mm.
- The traditional American point system used a varying point size of around 0.3515 mm or .013836 inch, slightly less than 1/72nd of an inch.
- A closer to exactly 1/72nd of an inch point size of 0.3528 mm or 0.01388 inch is widely used today for modern computer-based desktop publishing almost everywhere in the world.
There are 12 points to a pica.
Named Point Sizes
Although not commonly used in desktop publishing, there are several point sizes with specific names. The exact size varied by printer with the most common or average size shown below. Sizes with an asterisk are seen in the illustration on this page.- 3 pt — excelsior or minikin
- 4 pt — brilliant
- * 4.5 pt — diamond
- * 5 pt — pearl
- * 5.5 pt — agate or ruby
- * 6 pt — nonpareil
- 6.5 pt — minionette or emerald
- * 7 pt — minion
- * 8 pt — brevier
- * 9 pt — bourgeois
- * 10 pt — long primer
- * 11 pt — small pica
- * 12 pt — pica
- * 14 pt — English
- 16 pt — Columbian or 2-line brevier
- * 18 pt — great primer
- 20 pt — paragon
- 22 pt — double small pica or double pica
- * 24 pt — double pica or 2-line pica
- 28 pt — double English or 2-line English
- 36 pt — double great primer or 2-line great primer
- 40 pt — double paragon
- 44 pt — Meridian or 2-line double pica
- * 48 pt — canon or 4-line (French Canon in the illustration)
Also Known As: abbreviated as pt
Examples:
Body copy is generally set at 14 point or less, with 9-12 point being a good starting point size. Leading (line spacing) is usually expressed in points as well. 10 point type set with 12 point leading is one example.
