Calculating the Point Size of a Font

 Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
Article ID: Q74300
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows versions 3.1 and 3.0
  • Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API) included with: 

        - Microsoft Windows NT versions 3.5 and 3.51
    - Microsoft Windows 95 version 4.0

SUMMARY

The generic formula listed below can be used to compute the point size of a font in the MM_TEXT mapping mode. Any other mapping mode will require a different equation, because the Height will be in a different unit.

MORE INFORMATION

                     (Height - Internal Leading) * 72
   Point Size  =    ---------------------------------
                               LOGPIXELSY

   Height - Cell height obtained from the TEXTMETRIC structure.

   Internal Leading - Internal leading obtained from TEXTMETRIC
                      structure.

   72 - One point is 1/72 of an inch.

   LOGPIXELSY - Number of pixels contained in a logical inch on the
                device. This value can be obtained by calling the
                GetDeviceCaps() function and specifying the LOGPIXELSY
                index.
The value returned from this calculation should be rounded to the nearest integer. The Windows MulDiv() function rounds its result and is an excellent choice for performing the above calculation.

Additional reference words: 3.00 3.10 3.50 4.00 95
KBCategory: kbgraphic
KBSubcategory: GdiFnt

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
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