How to convert cm to inches
- Type a length in Centimetres (cm): the Inches (in) box and the Feet and inches boxes update straight away.
- To go the other way, type in the inches box, or enter a height in feet and inches, and the centimetres appear.
- Change Decimal places for more or less precision, and use the copy button to copy the result line.
The formula: 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly
Since the international yard and pound agreement of 1959, the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres (centimeters in US spelling). There is no rounding in the definition, so the conversion is always:
- inches = cm ÷ 2.54 (or cm × 0.3937…)
- cm = inches × 2.54
- feet = inches ÷ 12, and 1 foot = 30.48 cm
Worked examples: 30 cm ÷ 2.54 = 11.811 in, just short of a foot. 12 in × 2.54 = 30.48 cm. A 15.6-inch laptop screen measures 15.6 × 2.54 = 39.6 cm across the diagonal.
Converting a height to feet and inches
Heights in the UK and US are usually given in feet and inches, so a figure in centimetres needs two steps. Take 175 cm: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches. Divide by 12: 5 whole feet (60 inches) with 8.9 inches left over, so 175 cm is 5 ft 8.9 in, or about 5′9″. Going back, 5 ft 9 in is (5 × 12 + 9) × 2.54 = 69 × 2.54 = 175.3 cm.
Mental shortcuts
- Multiply cm by 4 and divide by 10: 50 cm × 4 = 200, so about 20 in (exact: 19.7 in). It overestimates by under 2%.
- For inches to cm, multiply by 2.5: 10 in ≈ 25 cm (exact: 25.4 cm).
- Remember the landmarks: 30 cm ≈ 1 foot, 1 metre ≈ 39.4 in (3 ft 3.4 in), 180 cm ≈ 5 ft 11 in.
Centimetres to inches chart
| Centimetres | Inches | Centimetres | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.394 in | 2 cm | 0.787 in |
| 3 cm | 1.181 in | 4 cm | 1.575 in |
| 5 cm | 1.969 in | 6 cm | 2.362 in |
| 7 cm | 2.756 in | 8 cm | 3.15 in |
| 9 cm | 3.543 in | 10 cm | 3.937 in |
| 12 cm | 4.724 in | 15 cm | 5.906 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874 in | 25 cm | 9.843 in |
| 30 cm | 11.811 in | 40 cm | 15.748 in |
| 50 cm | 19.685 in | 60 cm | 23.622 in |
| 75 cm | 29.528 in | 100 cm | 39.37 in |
| 150 cm | 59.055 in | 200 cm | 78.74 in |
Inches to centimetres chart
Handy for screen sizes, waist and inside-leg measurements, and paper or photo sizes.
| Inches | Centimetres | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 in | 0.635 cm | 0.5 in | 1.27 cm |
| 1 in | 2.54 cm | 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm | 4 in | 10.16 cm |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm | 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 8 in | 20.32 cm | 10 in | 25.4 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm | 15 in | 38.1 cm |
| 17 in | 43.18 cm | 20 in | 50.8 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm | 27 in | 68.58 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm | 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 43 in | 109.22 cm | 55 in | 139.7 cm |
| 65 in | 165.1 cm | 75 in | 190.5 cm |
Height chart: cm to feet and inches
| Height (cm) | Feet and inches | Total inches |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4 ft 11.1 in | 59.1 in |
| 152 cm | 4 ft 11.8 in | 59.8 in |
| 155 cm | 5 ft 1 in | 61 in |
| 157 cm | 5 ft 1.8 in | 61.8 in |
| 160 cm | 5 ft 3 in | 63 in |
| 163 cm | 5 ft 4.2 in | 64.2 in |
| 165 cm | 5 ft 5 in | 65 in |
| 168 cm | 5 ft 6.1 in | 66.1 in |
| 170 cm | 5 ft 6.9 in | 66.9 in |
| 173 cm | 5 ft 8.1 in | 68.1 in |
| 175 cm | 5 ft 8.9 in | 68.9 in |
| 178 cm | 5 ft 10.1 in | 70.1 in |
| 180 cm | 5 ft 10.9 in | 70.9 in |
| 183 cm | 6 ft 0 in | 72 in |
| 185 cm | 6 ft 0.8 in | 72.8 in |
| 188 cm | 6 ft 2 in | 74 in |
| 190 cm | 6 ft 2.8 in | 74.8 in |
| 193 cm | 6 ft 4 in | 76 in |
| 195 cm | 6 ft 4.8 in | 76.8 in |
| 198 cm | 6 ft 6 in | 78 in |
| 200 cm | 6 ft 6.7 in | 78.7 in |
Where you will meet cm and inches
- Height and body measurements: doctors and most of the world use centimetres; the US and many people in the UK use feet and inches. Our BMI calculator accepts both.
- Screens and TVs are sold by their diagonal in inches everywhere, even in metric countries: a 55-inch TV is about 140 cm across.
- Clothing: jeans sizes such as W32 L30 are waist and leg length in inches (81 cm and 76 cm).
- Wheels and pipes: bicycle and car wheel sizes and many plumbing fittings are quoted in inches.
Converting weight or temperature as well? Use the kg to lbs converter and the Celsius to Fahrenheit converter, or read our guide to metric and imperial conversions. More helpers are in everyday tools.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 cm?
1 cm is 0.3937 inches (1 ÷ 2.54). Ten centimetres is 3.937 inches, just under 4 inches.
How many cm is 1 inch?
Exactly 2.54 cm. The inch was defined this way in 1959, so the figure is exact, not rounded.
How do I convert cm to feet and inches?
Divide the centimetres by 2.54 to get inches, then divide by 12. The whole number is feet and the remainder is inches. 180 cm = 70.87 in = 5 ft 10.87 in, about 5′11″.
How tall is 170 cm in feet?
170 cm is 66.93 inches, which is 5 ft 6.9 in, or about 5′7″.
Is 30 cm the same as 12 inches?
Nearly. 12 inches (1 foot) is exactly 30.48 cm, so a 30 cm ruler is about 5 mm shorter than a foot ruler.
What is the quickest way to estimate cm to inches in my head?
Multiply by 4 and divide by 10. For 25 cm that gives 10 inches; the exact answer is 9.84 inches.
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