Centimetres to Inches — Everyday Conversions
Centimetres are a metric unit equal to one hundredth of a metre, used across most of the world for everyday measurements — from clothing sizes and furniture dimensions to medical measurements and school rulers. Inches are the imperial counterpart used primarily in the US.
Because 1 inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm, converting from centimetres to inches is a simple division: divide by 2.54. For longer measurements, it is also useful to know the feet and inches equivalent, which requires an additional step of dividing total inches by 12.
Common references: 10 cm = 3.94 in; 15 cm = 5.91 in; 30 cm (1 ft ruler) = 11.81 in; 50 cm = 19.69 in; 100 cm = 39.37 in (3 ft 3.37 in).
Formula
To convert centimetres to inches: inches = cm × 0.393701. For feet and inches: feet = Math.floor(inches ÷ 12); remaining inches = inches mod 12.
Common Centimetres to Inches Conversions
- 5 cm = 1.97 inches
- 10 cm = 3.94 inches
- 15 cm = 5.91 inches
- 20 cm = 7.87 inches
- 30 cm = 11.81 inches (≈ 1 foot)
- 50 cm = 19.69 inches
- 100 cm = 39.37 inches (3 ft 3.4 in)
- 170 cm = 66.93 inches (5 ft 6.9 in)
Height Conversion — Centimetres to Feet and Inches
Height is expressed in centimetres across most of the world, but feet and inches in the US. To convert: divide total centimetres by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12 for feet and take the remainder for inches. For example, 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 in = 5 feet 8.9 inches.
Where This Conversion Is Most Useful
- Converting your height for US medical or immigration forms
- Shopping for US clothing or shoes where sizes use inches
- Reading property dimensions given in feet and inches
- Understanding TV and monitor screen sizes advertised in inches
Related Calculators
- Inches to Centimetres — Convert inches to cm and mm.
- Millimetres to Inches — Convert mm to inches and cm.
- Feet & Inches to Metres — Convert feet and inches to metres.