PX vs REM — What is the difference?
Pixels are fixed units, while REM units scale with the root font size. REM makes layouts more adaptable and accessible across devices.
If you need a px to rem formula or rem to px formula for a quick CSS calculation, use the px to rem converter and rem to px calculator pages for instant results.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | PX | REM |
|---|---|---|
| Scalable | ||
| Accessibility | ||
| Responsive design | ||
| Consistency |
Conversion table (base 16)
Common px to rem responsive design values using a 16px root font size.
| PX | REM |
|---|---|
| 8px | 0.5rem |
| 16px | 1rem |
| 24px | 1.5rem |
| 32px | 2rem |
| 48px | 3rem |
| 64px | 4rem |
Recommendation
Use REM for typography and spacing to keep interfaces responsive and consistent with user font preferences.
PX vs REM FAQ
- What is the difference between px and rem?
- Px is a fixed unit, while rem scales with the root font size for more responsive design.
- Is 16px equal to 1rem?
- Yes, when the root font size is 16px, 16px converts to 1rem.
- Why do responsive layouts prefer rem?
- Rem respects user font settings, so typography and spacing scale together on different devices.
- How do I convert px to rem quickly?
- Use the px to rem calculator for instant conversion with your base font size.