What Is the Feet to Meters Elevation Converter?
This converter changes an elevation or altitude expressed in feet into meters, the unit used by most of the world and by scientific and aviation standards. Whether you are reading a topographic map, comparing mountain heights, or recording GPS altitude, this tool gives an exact answer based on the internationally defined relationship: 1 foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters.
How to Use It
Enter the elevation in feet and the calculator instantly returns the equivalent height in meters, along with the value in kilometers for very tall features. The conversion factor is exact, so the result is precise to whatever decimal accuracy you need.
The Formula Explained
The relationship is linear: $$\text{Meters} = \text{Elevation (ft)} \times 0.3048$$ Because the international foot is defined as exactly \(0.3048\) m, there is no rounding in the factor itself. To go the other direction, divide: \(\text{feet} = \text{meters} \div 0.3048\). Dividing meters by 1,000 gives kilometers.
Worked Example
Mount Whitney is about 14,505 feet tall. Multiply: $$14{,}505 \times 0.3048 = 4{,}421.124 \text{ meters}$$ or roughly \(4.42\) km. Denver, "the Mile-High City," sits at 5,280 feet, which converts to $$5{,}280 \times 0.3048 = 1{,}609.344 \text{ meters}$$
FAQ
Is the conversion factor exact? Yes. Since 1959 the international foot has been defined as exactly \(0.3048\) meters, so the factor introduces no error.
How do I convert meters back to feet? Divide the meter value by \(0.3048\). For example, \(1{,}000 \text{ m} \div 0.3048 \approx 3{,}280.84 \text{ ft}\).
Does this work for any height, not just elevation? Yes — the same factor applies to any length in feet, though this tool is optimized for elevation and altitude values.
