Which unit is often used in typography to denote the height of characters?

The point is the unit commonly used in typography to denote the height of characters. It is a traditional measurement that is particularly relevant in print design, where fonts are specified in points to describe the size of the type. One point is equivalent to 1/72 of an inch, making it a smaller and more precise measurement suitable for the detailed work involved in typography.

This unit allows designers to communicate the size of text with a standard measurement that is widely understood in the graphic design and publishing industries. Understanding points is crucial for ensuring that text appears at the intended size and maintains readability across different formats and media.

Other units—such as pixels, which are used in digital design, and physical measurements like feet or inches—serve different purposes and contexts. While pixels may be relevant in screen-based design, they do not provide the same level of standardization for text size in traditional printing as points do.