How to convert CSS centimetres to em
em = cm × (37.7952755905512) ÷ (element font size in px)
Convert cm into CSS reference pixels, then divide by the pixel size of em. The reference table uses 16 px for both element and root font sizes. Examples state any different context. For em in a font-size declaration, use the parent’s computed font size; for other properties, use the element’s computed font size.
Worked examples
1 cm ≈ 2.362204724 em
1 × 37.7952755905512 ÷ 16 ≈ 2.362204724
Font basis for this example: element 16 px; root 16 px.
2.54 cm ≈ 4.8 em
2.54 × 37.7952755905512 ÷ 20 ≈ 4.8
Font basis for this example: element 20 px; root 16 px.
Frequently asked questions
Which font or display assumption applies?
For font-size: 1.5em on a child with a 20px parent resolves to 30px. For other properties, em uses that element’s computed font size. rem uses the root font size; it is not necessarily 16px.