How do points translate to pixels in Google Docs sizing?

Other Questions Google docs
1

I’m trying to figure out how Google Docs handles page dimensions. The API docs mention ‘points’ for page height and width. But what exactly are these points? Can we turn them into pixels?

I know the conversion isn’t straightforward. It seems to depend on factors like font size, which makes the numbers a bit confusing. I need some clarity on what these point measurements really represent.

Here’s what I found in the documentation:

function getPageSize() {
  let height = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getBody().getPageHeight();
  let width = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getBody().getPageWidth();
  console.log(`Page size: ${height} x ${width} points`);
}

How can I use this information? Is there a method to convert these points into pixels in my script, or am I approaching this incorrectly? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

2

yo, points in gdocs r a pain in the butt! its like 1/72 inch or smthin. for pixels, multiply by 4/3 maybe? but dont count on it bein perfect. honestly, i just stick to points in docs n only convert if i gotta. keeps things simpler, ya kno? good luck figurin it out!

3

Having dealt with Google Docs sizing extensively, I can shed some light on this. Points in Google Docs are indeed tricky. They’re a legacy unit from print design, where 1 point equals 1/72 inch.

For web display, you’re right that conversion isn’t straightforward. It varies based on screen resolution and zoom level. As a rough estimate, you can multiply points by 4/3 to get pixels, but this isn’t exact.

In practice, it’s often better to work with percentages or relative units when manipulating document layout programmatically. This approach tends to be more robust across different viewing conditions.

Remember, Google Docs aims to provide a consistent experience across print and digital. This sometimes leads to quirks in how sizes are handled. When in doubt, test your script’s output on various devices to ensure it behaves as expected.

4

As someone who’s spent way too much time wrestling with Google Docs’ sizing quirks, I feel your pain! Points in Google Docs are a bit of a headache. They’re not exactly pixels, but more like a weird hybrid unit.

In my experience, 1 point is roughly equal to 1/72 of an inch. So if you’re desperate for a pixel conversion, you could multiply the point value by 96/72 (since most screens use 96 DPI). But honestly, that’s not super reliable across different displays.

What I’ve found works better is to stick with points for layout calculations within Google Docs, then convert to pixels only when absolutely necessary for external use. The API’s getPageHeight() and getPageWidth() methods are actually pretty handy for maintaining consistent layouts across different docs.

Just remember, Google Docs is trying to mimic print layouts in a digital space, so some wonkiness is inevitable. Hope this helps you navigate the point-pixel maze a bit better!