How do you use this tool?
- Enter a value in centimeters. The inch equivalent appears instantly below.
- To convert inches to centimeters, use the reverse input field, conversion works in both directions.
- Toggle 'Show fractions' to display results as common fractions (e.g., 5 3/8") in addition to decimal inches, useful for woodworking and sewing.
- Use the quick reference table to look up common cm values without typing.
What This Tool Does
This centimeters-to-inches converter translates metric length measurements into US customary inches, and converts inches back to centimeters. It outputs decimal inches, fractional inches (to the nearest 1/16th), and feet-and-inches format, covering the three ways inch measurements appear in US contexts.
How It Works
The conversion uses the exact defined equivalence: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. To convert centimeters to inches, divide by 2.54. To convert inches to centimeters, multiply by 2.54. The factor 2.54 is exact by international agreement, not an approximation, so there is no accumulated rounding error.
Formulas:
- Centimeters → Inches:
in = cm ÷ 2.54 - Inches → Centimeters:
cm = in × 2.54 - Inches → Feet and Inches:
ft = floor(in ÷ 12),remaining_in = in mod 12
What Are Common Centimeter-to-Inch Values?
| Centimeters | Decimal Inches | Fractional Inches | Common Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.394 in | 25/64” | Unit reference |
| 2.54 cm | 1.000 in | 1” | Exact definition |
| 10 cm | 3.937 in | 3 15/16” | Small ruler length |
| 15 cm | 5.906 in | 5 29/32” | 6-inch ruler (approx) |
| 25 cm | 9.843 in | 9 27/32” | Common product width |
| 30 cm | 11.811 in | 11 13/16” | Standard metric ruler |
| 100 cm | 39.370 in | 39 3/8” | 1 meter = ~39.4 inches |
| 139.7 cm | 55.000 in | 55” | 55-inch TV diagonal |
| 165.1 cm | 65.000 in | 65” | 65-inch TV diagonal |
| 177.8 cm | 70.000 in | 70” | 5 feet 10 inches tall |
What Are Common Use Cases?
TV and monitor screen sizes. The US uses diagonal inches for screen sizes. Product listings from international retailers often show screen diagonals in centimeters. Dividing by 2.54 gives the inch size. A 139.7 cm screen is exactly a 55-inch TV. A 190.5 cm screen is exactly 75 inches. This conversion prevents ordering a screen that doesn’t fit your designated space.
Clothing and apparel. US clothing measurements (waist, chest, inseam, collar) are given in inches. European, Asian, and international sizing systems use centimeters. When ordering from international e-commerce sites (SHEIN, ASOS in EU sizes, Asian sizing charts), converting your inch measurements to centimeters (or reading the cm chart) is the key to getting the right size. A 32-inch waist is 81.28 cm. A 40-inch chest is 101.6 cm.
Height conversion. Medical forms, immigration paperwork, and international job applications often ask for height. US citizens who know their height in feet and inches convert to centimeters for international forms. Conversely, foreign nationals moving to the US who know their height in centimeters need the feet-and-inches format for US driver’s licenses and similar documents. 170 cm = 5’7”. 180 cm = 5’11”. 185 cm = 6’1”.
Furniture dimensions. Flat-pack furniture from IKEA and other international brands lists dimensions in centimeters. US rooms are measured in feet and inches. Before ordering a 240 cm sofa or a 60 cm deep cabinet, converting to inches (94.5 in / 23.6 in) and comparing against your room dimensions (measured in feet) prevents costly fit errors.
Craft, sewing, and woodworking. Patterns and templates from non-US sources use centimeters. US crafters work in inches, often fractional (to 1/8” or 1/16” precision). The fractional inch output in this tool covers fabric cutting, quilt block sizing, and woodworking measurements where decimal inches are not standard notation.
Electronics and hardware. Screw and bolt diameters, drill bit sizes, and PCB dimensions are often specified in metric (mm or cm) in international specs and in fractional inches in US catalogs. A 6 mm screw is 0.236 inches, close to but not the same as 1/4” (6.35 mm). This distinction matters for hardware selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 5 feet in centimeters? 5 feet = 60 inches = 60 × 2.54 = 152.4 centimeters. 6 feet = 72 inches = 182.88 cm. The conversion from feet to centimeters goes through inches: multiply feet by 12 to get inches, then multiply by 2.54.
Are inches the same as the old British inch? The modern inch (the international inch) is defined as exactly 2.54 cm. Before 1959, the US and UK used slightly different inch values. The 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement standardized the inch globally. The difference between old and new inch values is less than 2 parts per million, invisible in any practical application.
How do I convert centimeters to feet directly? Divide centimeters by 30.48 to get feet. For example, 180 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.9055 feet = 5 feet 10.9 inches. The factor 30.48 is exact (12 inches × 2.54 cm/inch = 30.48 cm/foot).