Convert Pica (pica) to Reed (reed) instantly.
About these units
Pica (pica)
A pica is another typographic unit, equal to 12 points, or 1/6 of an inch, making it larger and more suited to structural layout than to fine detail. Picas are commonly used to measure text blocks, column widths, margins, and line lengths in print and digital page design. The pica originated alongside the point in printing traditions stretching back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It offered a convenient intermediate scale—small enough for precise adjustments but large enough for practical page design. When newspapers became widespread, picas helped designers rapidly calculate column grids and organize dense printed pages. Even as publishing tools evolved into software like Adobe InDesign and LaTeX, picas remain deeply integrated into the workflow of book designers, typographers, and professional printers. They are part of a system that allows page elements to be arranged with precision, ensuring that every visual aspect of a document aligns harmoniously.
Reed (reed)
The reed is a smaller unit than the long reed, typically about 1 cubit, and was widely used in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and biblical times. It functioned as a standard measure for construction, religious architecture, and land surveys. Reeds were particularly useful in field work, where repetitive human-scale measurements could be performed quickly. They also served as a practical calibration tool for larger units like rods, chains, and long reeds. The reed is frequently mentioned in ancient texts, highlighting its role in the organization of public works, the construction of sacred buildings, and the measurement of land.