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Anonymous
2017-03-29T22:45:14+00:00

Using Microsoft Word, how do I calculate the size of letter fonts when I require them in inches and they come out in numbers I don't understand how to figure how they are going to come out until I print them.  For instance I need a group of words in triple roman to print 3/16" tall.  How do I figure that?

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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 322.9K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-03-29T23:21:51+00:00

    Font sizes are in points of which there are 72 to an inch.  Therefore 3/16" = 13.5 pt

    Note however not all letters in a font are on the same size and you may also need to take into account the Leading of the font.

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  2. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-03-30T01:52:03+00:00

    It will be at least partly a matter of trial and error. As Doug says, there are (nominally) 72 points to an inch. So if you need letters 3/16" high, you would start with 13.5 points. The capital letters should approximate the right size, but the line spacing will be greater, so the baselines of lines of text will be more than 13.5 points apart. This varies from one font to another. Also, for lowercase, the x-height of some fonts is greater than for others, and the distance from the bottom of a descender to the top of an ascender may be more than the nominal font size.

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