Length converter
Convert between metric and imperial lengths: millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, inches, feet, yards and miles.
1 centimeter = 0.3937007874 inches
Formula: inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54
About the units
Length units explained
The metric system scales length by tens: 10 millimeters make a centimeter, 100 centimeters a meter, 1,000 meters a kilometer. Imperial units don't follow one pattern: 12 inches make a foot, 3 feet a yard, and 1,760 yards a mile.
Since 1959 the imperial units have been defined by metric ones, so every conversion is exact: an inch is precisely 2.54 centimeters and a mile precisely 1,609.344 meters.
Quick reference
| Unit | Symbol | In meters |
|---|---|---|
| millimeter | mm | 0.001 m |
| centimeter | cm | 0.01 m |
| meter | m | 1 m |
| kilometer | km | 1,000 m |
| inch | in | 0.0254 m |
| foot | ft | 0.3048 m |
| yard | yd | 0.9144 m |
| mile | mi | 1,609.344 m |
| nautical mile | nmi | 1,852 m |
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Frequently asked questions
How many centimeters are in an inch?
Exactly 2.54 centimeters. The inch has been defined this way since 1959.
How many feet are in a meter?
About 3.28084 feet. A meter is a little longer than a yard, which is 3 feet.
How do I convert feet and inches to centimeters?
Multiply the feet by 12, add the inches, then multiply the total by 2.54. For example, 5 feet 10 inches is 70 inches, which is 177.8 cm.