How this calculator works
The length in centimetres is converted to total inches using the exact factor 1 in = 2.54 cm, then split in two: the whole feet are the floor of the total inches divided by 12, and the inches output is what remains. The international foot of exactly 0.3048 m is used throughout.
Formula
total inches = cm ÷ 2.54; feet = floor(total inches ÷ 12); inches = total inches - 12 × feet.
Worked example
175 cm gives 68.8976 total inches, so the readout is 5 ft with 8.89764 in left over.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does the inches part show decimals?
A metric height rarely lands on a whole inch, so the leftover inches are shown to 6 significant digits instead of being rounded away.
Which foot definition is used?
The international foot of exactly 0.3048 m. The US survey foot, which would change only the fifth significant digit, was retired by NIST in 2023.
Does the feet part round down?
Yes. It shows complete feet, with the remainder in inches. A total of 71.9 in shows as 5 ft 11.9 in, not as 6 ft.