What this converter does
This tool converts a height expressed in US customary / imperial units (feet and inches) into metric centimeters. It is a pure unit conversion, so the result is identical everywhere in the world. Enter your feet and inches and get an exact centimeter value, plus the total inches and the equivalent in meters.
How to use it
Type the whole feet in the first box and the remaining inches in the second box. For example, a height of 5 feet 2 inches goes in as feet = 5, inches = 2. Decimal values are accepted in either field (for instance, inches = 0.5). If you only know one part, leave the other blank and it is treated as zero. Negative numbers are not allowed because a height cannot be negative.
The formula explained
The conversion relies on two exact definitions: 1 foot equals 12 inches, and 1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. First, convert everything to inches: $$\text{total inches} = (\text{feet} \times 12) + \text{inches}$$. Then convert to centimeters: $$\text{cm} = \text{total inches} \times 2.54$$. Because \(12 \times 2.54 = 30.48\), you can also compute it in one line as $$\text{cm} = (\text{feet} \times 30.48) + (\text{inches} \times 2.54)$$. Both forms give the same answer.
Worked example
Suppose your height is 5 feet 2 inches. Total inches = \((5 \times 12) + 2 = 62\) inches. Centimeters = \(62 \times 2.54 = \) 157.48 cm. As a second example, 6 feet 0.5 inches = \((6 \times 12) + 0.5 = 72.5\) inches, and \(72.5 \times 2.54 = \) 184.15 cm.
FAQ
Is 1 inch exactly 2.54 cm? Yes. Since 1959 the international inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, so this conversion is exact, not an approximation.
What if I enter inches of 12 or more? That is fine. The value simply rolls into the total inches; there is no requirement that inches be less than 12.
How do I get meters instead? Divide the centimeter result by 100. This tool already shows the meters value for you below the main result.
