How this calculator works
Centi means one hundredth, so a centimetre is exactly 0.01 m. The calculator converts any selected input unit to metres before displaying the same length in feet, inches and other metric units. It uses the international foot and inch rather than historical survey units.
Formula
metres = centimetres / 100; inches = centimetres / 2.54; feet = centimetres / 30.48.
Worked example
30.48 cm is exactly 1 ft and 12 in. A 250 cm length is 2.5 m and approximately 8.2020997375 ft.
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Frequently asked questions
How many centimetres make a metre?
Exactly 100. The prefix centi means 1/100.
What is the difference between cm and cm2?
Cm measures length. Square centimetres measure area, so they cannot be interchanged.
Why keep extra decimal places?
Most imperial equivalents do not end at a whole number. The calculator retains precision until display rounding.