Centimeters are what most of the world uses for body measurements, product dimensions and clothing labels; inches are what US sizing charts, tailors and many online stores still expect. This converter divides by the exact factor of 2.54, shows the answer to four decimal places, and also breaks it into feet and inches so a height in centimeters reads the way an American height chart does.
How to use the cm to inches converter
- Type the length in Centimeters (cm). Decimals such as 172.5 are fine.
- The result in inches appears instantly, together with the same length in feet and inches and in millimeters.
- Scroll down for the worked steps and a centimeter-to-inch chart that covers small measurements and common adult heights.
The cm to inches formula
The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 cm since 1959, so the conversion is a single division:
Multiplying by 0.3937007874 gives the same answer, because that number is just 1 ÷ 2.54. To split the result into feet and inches:
Worked example: a height of 170 cm
Step 1. 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.9291 inches.
Step 2. 66.9291 ÷ 12 = 5.577, so the whole number of feet is 5.
Step 3. 66.9291 − (5 × 12) = 6.9291, which rounds to 5 ft 6.9 in — usually written as 5′7″.
A second everyday case: a pair of trousers lists a waist of 81 cm. 81 ÷ 2.54 = 31.89 inches, so it corresponds to a US waist size of 32.
Heights in centimeters, feet and inches
People who grew up with metric often know their height in centimeters but get asked for feet and inches on forms, dating profiles or ride height limits. These values line up closely with whole-inch heights:
| Height (cm) | Inches | Feet and inches |
|---|---|---|
| 152 | 59.84 | 4 ft 11.8 in |
| 157 | 61.81 | 5 ft 1.8 in |
| 163 | 64.17 | 5 ft 4.2 in |
| 168 | 66.14 | 5 ft 6.1 in |
| 173 | 68.11 | 5 ft 8.1 in |
| 178 | 70.08 | 5 ft 10.1 in |
| 183 | 72.05 | 6 ft 0 in |
| 188 | 74.02 | 6 ft 2 in |
| 193 | 75.98 | 6 ft 4 in |
A height of 6 feet is 182.88 cm, which is why 183 cm is the usual metric shorthand for “six foot”. If you need to go the other way with feet and inches together, the height converter handles both parts at once.
Clothing and body measurements
Waist, chest, hip and inseam measurements are taken with a tape in centimeters across most of Europe and Asia, but US labels give whole inches. Converting a tape reading and rounding to the nearest inch usually lands on the right label size:
| Waist (cm) | Inches | Nearest US waist size |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | 27.95 | 28 |
| 76 | 29.92 | 30 |
| 81 | 31.89 | 32 |
| 86 | 33.86 | 34 |
| 91 | 35.83 | 36 |
| 97 | 38.19 | 38 |
| 102 | 40.16 | 40 |
Brands cut differently, so treat the label number as a starting point rather than a guarantee. For a ring, glove or shoe, the tolerances are tighter — convert carefully and keep at least one decimal place.
How precise should the answer be?
For heights and clothing, one decimal place in inches (about 2.5 mm) is more precision than a tape measure delivers on a person. For engineering drawings or 3D printing, keep four decimals or, better, work in millimeters to inches so you can see the nearest fraction of an inch that a ruler or drill bit actually offers. Because the 2.54 factor is exact, any rounding in the answer comes only from how many decimals you choose to keep.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches are in one centimeter?
One centimeter is 0.393701 inches (more precisely 0.3937007874). That figure is simply 1 divided by 2.54, because the inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm.
How do I convert my height in cm to feet and inches?
Divide the centimeters by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12. The whole number is feet and the remainder is inches. For 170 cm: 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 in, which is 5 feet with 6.93 inches left over, so about 5 ft 7 in.
Is 30 cm the same as one foot?
Close, but not quite. 30 cm is 11.81 inches, while a foot is exactly 30.48 cm. A 30 cm school ruler is therefore about 0.19 inch short of a foot-long ruler.
Why is the conversion factor exactly 2.54?
In 1959 the United States, the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries agreed on a common yard of exactly 0.9144 m. Dividing by 36 makes the inch exactly 2.54 cm, so no rounding is involved in the definition itself.
What is a quick way to estimate cm to inches in my head?
Multiply the centimeters by 4 and divide by 10. The answer runs about 1.6% high: 170 cm gives 68 inches against an exact 66.93. For a closer guess, take 40% and subtract a little.