Inches to Centimetres — Exact Conversion
The inch is an imperial unit of length used primarily in the United States and Canada. Since 1959, one inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres. This makes the conversion between inches and centimetres perfectly precise — there is no rounding or approximation involved.
Inches are commonly used for screen sizes (a 27-inch monitor), paper sizes (US Letter is 8.5 × 11 inches), clothing measurements, and construction. Centimetres are the metric counterpart used throughout Europe and most of the world. Knowing the conversion is useful for online shopping, furniture dimensions, and scientific work.
Common references: 1 in = 2.54 cm; 6 in = 15.24 cm; 12 in (1 ft) = 30.48 cm; 18 in = 45.72 cm; 36 in (1 yd) = 91.44 cm.
Formula
To convert inches to centimetres: cm = inches × 2.54 (exact). To get millimetres: mm = inches × 25.4.
Common Inches to Centimetres Conversions
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm
- 3 inches = 7.62 cm
- 6 inches = 15.24 cm
- 12 inches (1 foot) = 30.48 cm
- 18 inches = 45.72 cm
- 24 inches (2 feet) = 60.96 cm
- 36 inches (1 yard) = 91.44 cm
Practical Uses for Inches to Centimetres Conversion
- Clothing and fashion — US dress sizes use inches (waist, chest, inseam); European sizes use centimetres
- Screen sizes — monitor and TV sizes in inches; technical specs often in cm
- Furniture — US furniture dimensions in inches; European catalogues in cm
- Height — converting a person's height given in feet and inches to centimetres for medical or fitness records
- Paper and printing — US paper sizes (inches) versus ISO A-series (mm/cm)
Related Calculators
- Centimetres to Inches — Convert cm to inches and feet.
- Millimetres to Inches — Convert mm to inches and cm.
- Inches to Millimetres — Convert inches to mm and cm.