Length converter
Cm to Inches Converter
Type a length in centimeters. You get inches, feet and inches, and decimal feet as you type.
Result
70.87 in
180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.87 in
- Feet and inches 5 ft 10.9 in
- Feet (decimal) 5.91 ft
- Millimeters 1,800 mm
- Type the number of centimeters.
- Read the answer in inches, and in feet and inches for heights.
- Copy the result, or check the table below for common sizes.
Cm to inches chart
| Centimeters | Inches | Feet and inches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.3937 in | 0 ft 0.39 in |
| 2 cm | 0.7874 in | 0 ft 0.79 in |
| 5 cm | 1.97 in | 0 ft 2 in |
| 10 cm | 3.94 in | 0 ft 3.9 in |
| 15 cm | 5.91 in | 0 ft 5.9 in |
| 20 cm | 7.87 in | 0 ft 7.9 in |
| 25 cm | 9.84 in | 0 ft 9.8 in |
| 30 cm | 11.81 in | 0 ft 11.8 in |
| 50 cm | 19.69 in | 1 ft 7.7 in |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in | 3 ft 3.4 in |
| 150 cm | 59.06 in | 4 ft 11.1 in |
| 160 cm | 62.99 in | 5 ft 3 in |
| 165 cm | 64.96 in | 5 ft 5 in |
| 170 cm | 66.93 in | 5 ft 6.9 in |
| 175 cm | 68.9 in | 5 ft 8.9 in |
| 180 cm | 70.87 in | 5 ft 10.9 in |
| 185 cm | 72.83 in | 6 ft 0.83 in |
| 190 cm | 74.8 in | 6 ft 2.8 in |
| 200 cm | 78.74 in | 6 ft 6.7 in |
The Cm to Inches Converter above turns any length in centimeters into inches the moment you type it. It also shows the same length in feet and inches, which is the format most people want for heights, and in decimal feet for plans and spreadsheets. Below you will find the exact formula, worked examples, a quick way to do it in your head, and answers to the questions people ask most.
How to convert cm to inches
To convert centimeters to inches, divide the number of centimeters by 2.54:
inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54
If you prefer multiplying, the same thing is inches = centimeters × 0.393701, because one centimeter is 0.393701 of an inch.
The number 2.54 is not an approximation. Since the international yard and pound agreement of 1959, the inch has been defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters, which is 2.54 centimeters. That is why our converter, a school ruler and an engineering drawing will all agree to the last decimal place.
Worked examples
- 30 cm to inches: 30 ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 in. A standard 30 cm ruler is just under a foot long.
- 180 cm to inches: 180 ÷ 2.54 = 70.87 in, which is 5 ft 10.9 in.
- 2.5 cm to inches: 2.5 ÷ 2.54 = 0.98 in, a hair under one inch.
- 100 cm to inches: 100 ÷ 2.54 = 39.37 in, so one meter is a little more than a yard (36 in).
Converting centimeters to feet and inches
Heights and room sizes are usually given in feet and inches rather than in inches alone. The converter does this step for you, but here is how it works:
- Divide the centimeters by 2.54 to get total inches.
- Divide the total inches by 12. The whole number is the feet.
- Multiply the leftover fraction by 12 to get the remaining inches.
For example, 165 cm ÷ 2.54 = 64.96 inches. 64.96 ÷ 12 = 5.41, so that is 5 feet, and 0.41 × 12 = 4.96 inches, which rounds to 5 ft 5 in.
One detail many converters get wrong: when the leftover inches round up to 12, they should become another foot. Our tool shows 182.87 cm as 6 ft 0 in, not "5 ft 12 in".
A quick way to estimate in your head
When you do not have a calculator, multiply by 4 and divide by 10. For 50 cm: 50 × 4 = 200, and 200 ÷ 10 = 20 inches. The exact answer is 19.69 inches, so the shortcut lands within about 2 percent. It always runs slightly high, so knock a little off for long lengths.
Everyday sizes in centimeters and inches
| Item | Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|---|
| A4 paper | 21 × 29.7 cm | 8.27 × 11.69 in |
| Bank or credit card | 8.56 × 5.4 cm | 3.37 × 2.13 in |
| School ruler | 30 cm | 11.81 in |
| Newborn baby, typical length | 50 cm | 19.69 in |
| Waist size 81 cm | 81 cm | 31.89 in |
| 15.6 inch laptop screen (diagonal) | 39.62 cm | 15.6 in |
Tips for accurate cm to inch conversions
- Round at the end, not in the middle. Convert first and round the final answer. Rounding 2.54 to 2.5 along the way adds a 1.6 percent error that grows with the length.
- Two decimal places are plenty for everyday use. Clothing, furniture and screen sizes rarely need more.
- Woodworking uses fractions of an inch. Turn the decimal into the nearest fraction: 0.5 is 1/2, 0.25 is 1/4, 0.125 is 1/8 and 0.0625 is 1/16. For example, 11.81 in is about 11 13/16 in.
- Check which way you are going. Centimeters to inches means dividing by 2.54; inches to centimeters means multiplying by 2.54.
Working with feet instead? Use the Feet to Inches Converter or the Feet to Meters Converter.
Cm to inches FAQs
How many inches is 1 cm?
One centimeter is 0.3937 inches, a little under four tenths of an inch.
How many centimeters are in an inch?
Exactly 2.54 centimeters. This has been the official definition of the inch since 1959.
Is 2.5 cm the same as an inch?
Close, but not quite. 2.5 cm is 0.98 inches. For quick measuring it is a handy approximation; for anything that has to fit, use 2.54.
How do I convert inches back to centimeters?
Multiply the inches by 2.54. For example, 12 inches × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.
How tall is 170 cm in feet and inches?
170 cm is 66.93 inches, which is 5 ft 6.9 in, or just under 5 ft 7 in.
Why does the result show so many decimals?
Because 2.54 rarely divides evenly. The converter shows up to two decimal places for everyday lengths and up to four for very small ones, and drops trailing zeros so whole numbers stay clean.