Centimetres to Inches
Need to convert centimetres to inches? The formula is simple: divide by 2.54. Here is the quick reference chart and the exact formula.
Formula
inches = centimetres ÷ 2.54 centimetres = inches × 2.54
Quick reference chart
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.394 in |
| 2 cm | 0.787 in |
| 5 cm | 1.969 in |
| 10 cm | 3.937 in |
| 15 cm | 5.906 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874 in |
| 25 cm | 9.843 in |
| 30 cm | 11.81 in |
| 50 cm | 19.69 in |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in |
| 150 cm | 59.06 in |
| 180 cm | 70.87 in |
When cm to inches comes up
The most frequently searched cm-to-inches conversion is height. Most countries state height in centimetres, but the US and UK still widely use feet and inches for personal height. A person who is 175 cm tall is 5 feet 8.9 inches — typically described as 5'9". Knowing the conversion lets you quickly understand a height stated in the other system. The key reference points: 150 cm = 4'11", 160 cm = 5'3", 170 cm = 5'7", 180 cm = 5'11", 190 cm = 6'3".
Screen and monitor sizes are always stated diagonally in inches, even in countries that use metric for everything else. A 27-inch monitor is 68.6 cm diagonally. A 65-inch TV is 165 cm. Smartphone screen sizes (5.5 inches, 6.1 inches, 6.7 inches) are in inches regardless of where the phone is sold. TV and monitor buying guides from European retailers will list sizes in both inches and cm.
Clothing is another constant source of this conversion. Waist sizes in the US and UK are in inches; European clothing uses centimetres. A US size 32 waist is 81 cm. A European 80 cm waist corresponds to about 31.5 inches. Shoe sizes across different systems also require length in cm or mm as the baseline conversion unit between European, US, and UK sizing.
In engineering, technical drawings, and manufacturing, dimensions cross metric and imperial systems depending on the industry. US construction uses inches and feet. European manufacturing uses millimetres and metres. A bolt that is 1/4 inch is 6.35 mm. A 10 mm spanner is used on fasteners that a 3/8 inch spanner would not fit. Knowing the conversion accurately prevents ordering errors.
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Open Length Converter →Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 cm?
1 centimetre equals 0.3937 inches. To convert any cm value to inches, divide by 2.54.
How many cm is 5 feet?
5 feet equals 152.4 centimetres. Multiply feet by 30.48 to convert to cm.
What is 170 cm in feet and inches?
170 cm is 5 feet 6.93 inches (approximately 5 ft 7 in). Divide 170 by 30.48 to get 5.577 feet, then multiply 0.577 by 12 to get the remaining 6.93 inches.
How many cm is 6 inches?
6 inches equals 15.24 centimetres. Multiply inches by 2.54 to convert to cm.
Why are there 2.54 cm in an inch?
In 1959, the international yard and pound agreement standardised the inch as exactly 25.4 millimetres (2.54 cm). Before this, different countries used slightly different inch lengths. The 2.54 ratio is now the exact, internationally agreed definition.