Convert Finger (Cloth) (finger) to Point (pt) instantly.
About these units
Finger (Cloth) (finger)
The cloth finger is a small measurement used in tailoring and weaving, typically about 2.1 cm (0.83 inches). It allowed precise adjustments when cutting and aligning fabric patterns. Merchants and craftsmen relied on the finger as a convenient subdivision of larger units like spans and ells. Its use highlights the practical application of body-based measurements in the textile industry. While no longer standard, the cloth finger provides a window into historical garment production and the role of human-scale units in everyday work.
Point (pt)
A point is a typographic unit traditionally equal to 1/72 of an inch (in digital typography) or 0.352777 mm. Historically, however, the point system varied widely across regions and printing houses. In the era of metal movable type, each foundry often produced its own proprietary sizes, making typefaces and point values incompatible between printers. The modern point was standardized largely due to the demands of the publishing industry and later digital systems, especially PostScript and desktop publishing software. The point became essential because typography requires extremely fine control over letter height, line spacing, and layout—far beyond what conventional measurement systems could easily express. Designers and typesetters rely on points to specify the sizes of fonts, the spacing between lines (leading), and the thickness of rules or strokes. In digital environments, the point remains foundational even though screen resolutions vary. Software uses points as virtual units that are converted into pixels depending on display density. Thus, the point bridges the traditional world of print with modern digital rendering, maintaining continuity in the long history of written communication.