Pica

usgb/ˈpaɪkə/
noun

A unit of measurement used mainly in printing to measure type size and page size.

This book will be printed in 12 point pica.
Visual representation of "pica" - A unit of measurement used mainly in printing to measure type size and page size.

Often appears as...

  • 12 point pica
  • 10 point pica

Usage tips

Technical

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "pica"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Printing Scale

Pica in printing measures the height of characters and is made of 12 points.

Illustration for Printing Scale
The designer set the text at 6 pica for the invitation cards.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Inches/Centimeters

Remember, pica is different from common length units; one pica equals about 1/6 inch.

Illustration for Not Inches/Centimeters
I need the margins set to 2 pica, not 2 inches.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Desktop Publishing

In programs like Adobe InDesign, pica is often used for page layout measurements.

Illustration for Desktop Publishing
The guidelines are spaced 1 pica apart.
Visual representation of the word "Pica"

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