How to convert centimeters to inches
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. That’s not a rounded figure: since 1959, the international inch has been defined as precisely 2.54 cm. The conversion is therefore always the same:
- Centimeters to inches: divide by 2.54 →
inches = cm ÷ 2.54 - Inches to centimeters: multiply by 2.54 →
cm = inches × 2.54
The converter above works both ways — type in either field and the other updates instantly. It also shows the result in feet and inches, the usual format for heights in the United States.
Worked example
How many inches is 170 cm? 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 inches. Since a foot has 12 inches: 66.93 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 6.93 inches left over — about 5′7″. Height conversion is by far the most common use, whether you’re filling in a US form or reading a basketball roster.
Common conversions table
| Centimeters | Inches | Feet & inches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.39 in | — |
| 2.54 cm | 1 in | — |
| 10 cm | 3.94 in | — |
| 30 cm | 11.81 in | — |
| 50 cm | 19.69 in | 1′ 7.7″ |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in | 3′ 3.4″ |
| 152 cm | 59.84 in | 5′ 0″ |
| 170 cm | 66.93 in | 5′ 6.9″ |
| 183 cm | 72.05 in | 6′ 0″ |
| 200 cm | 78.74 in | 6′ 6.7″ |
Where each unit is used
The centimeter belongs to the metric system, the standard in almost every country on Earth. The inch survives in the United States and — through its influence — in a handful of global industries: screen sizes (a “55-inch” TV has a 139.7 cm diagonal), tire and pipe sizing, surfboards, and lumber. That’s why cm-to-inch conversion comes up constantly when shopping for electronics, furniture or clothing across markets.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches are in a foot?
A foot has 12 inches, and a yard has 3 feet (36 inches). To express centimeters as feet and inches: divide cm by 2.54 to get total inches, divide by 12 for whole feet, and the remainder is the inches.
How do I convert my height from cm to feet and inches?
Use the converter and read the “feet and inches” line. Quick references: 152 cm = 5′0″, 165 cm = 5′5″, 175 cm = 5′9″, 183 cm ≈ 6′0″, 190 cm = 6′2.8″.
Are screen inches measured the same way?
Yes, but note that screen sizes measure the diagonal, not the width. A 65″ TV has a 165.1 cm diagonal, while its actual width is around 144 cm (57″). Keep that in mind when measuring your TV stand.
Why exactly 2.54?
Before 1959, English-speaking countries each used slightly different inches. That year the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa adopted the “international inch” of exactly 25.4 mm to unify engineering and trade — which is why the conversion has no decimals to memorize beyond 2.54.