How to use the length converter
- Type a number in the left box and choose the unit you are converting from.
- Choose the unit you want to convert to on the right — the answer appears instantly. You can also type in the right-hand box to convert the other way.
- Press ⇄ to swap the units, or Copy result to paste the answer elsewhere. The table underneath shows your value in every length unit at once.
Results are calculated with exact, internationally agreed conversion factors and shown to up to ten significant figures, so they are suitable for homework, cooking, travel, engineering and shopping alike. Bookmark a conversion by adding ?v=10&from=…&to=… to the page address.
Exact length conversions
Since 1959 the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, which makes every imperial–metric length conversion exact:
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | Centimeters | 2.54 |
| Feet | Meters | 0.3048 |
| Yards | Meters | 0.9144 |
| Miles | Kilometers | 1.609344 |
| Centimeters | Inches | 0.393701 |
| Meters | Feet | 3.28084 |
| Kilometers | Miles | 0.621371 |
| Nautical miles | Kilometers | 1.852 |
Height in feet and inches
| Feet & inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 5′ 0″ | 152.4 |
| 5′ 4″ | 162.6 |
| 5′ 6″ | 167.6 |
| 5′ 8″ | 172.7 |
| 5′ 10″ | 177.8 |
| 6′ 0″ | 182.9 |
| 6′ 2″ | 188.0 |
To convert a height like 5′ 9″, turn it into inches first (5 × 12 + 9 = 69 inches) and multiply by 2.54 = 175.3 cm.
Handy distance facts
- A 5K run is 3.11 miles; a 10K is 6.21 miles; a marathon is 42.195 km or 26.2 miles.
- A football field (American) is 100 yards = 91.44 m between goal lines.
- A nautical mile (1,852 m) is used at sea and in aviation; one knot is one nautical mile per hour.
Metric prefixes
Metric units step by tens: 10 millimeters = 1 centimeter, 100 centimeters = 1 meter, 1,000 meters = 1 kilometer. A micrometer (µm) is a thousandth of a millimeter — the scale of bacteria and fine fibers.
Frequently asked questions
How many centimeters are in an inch?
Exactly 2.54 cm.
How many feet are in a meter?
About 3.28084 feet.
How many kilometers is a mile?
1.609344 km.
How do I convert my height to cm?
Convert to inches (feet × 12 + inches) and multiply by 2.54.