EM to CM Converter
Conversion Guide
1. Convert em to px (multiply by parent element font size). 2. Convert px to cm. Example: 1em = 16px ≈ 0.42333cm
EM to CM Conversion Table
| EM | CM | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 0.1058 | |
| 0.5 | 0.2117 | |
| 0.75 | 0.3175 | |
| 1 | 0.4233 | |
| 1.25 | 0.5292 | |
| 1.5 | 0.635 | |
| 2 | 0.8467 | |
| 2.5 | 1.0583 | |
| 3 | 1.27 | |
| 4 | 1.6933 | |
| 5 | 2.1167 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is EM?
The em unit creates sizes that adapt to their parent element's font size - like a family inheritance system for measurements. When you use 1em, you're saying 'make this the same size as my parent's font'. Using 2em means 'make this twice my parent's font size'. This makes em units perfect for creating harmonious, scalable designs.
I set my element to 1.5em but it's bigger than expected. What's happening?
Em units cascade - if your parent element is already 1.2em, then 1.5em will actually be 1.5 times that increased size. This compound effect is both powerful and sometimes tricky to manage.
Should I use em for padding and margins too?
Yes! Using em for padding and margins helps maintain proportional spacing as font sizes change. For example, button padding of 1em will grow naturally with the button's text size.
My nested elements keep getting bigger and bigger with em. Help!
This is the cascading effect of em units. Each nested element multiplies the parent's size. Consider using rem for deeper nested elements or reset sizes at specific levels if this isn't desired.
When should I use em vs rem vs px?
Use em when you want elements to scale with their parent's font size (like component internals), rem when you want scaling based on root font size (like headers), and px for truly fixed sizes (like borders).
What is CM?
Centimeters (cm) are absolute-length units that correspond to physical centimeters, commonly used in print design and European markets.
How do cm units compare to other length units?
1cm equals 10mm or approximately 37.8px (at 96 DPI). For web design, relative units like rem are generally preferred.
When are cm units most appropriate?
cm units are most appropriate for print stylesheets or when precise physical measurements are needed in metric units.
Conversion
How to convert EM to CM?
To convert EM to CM, use the following formula:
(em * parent font size) / 37.8