Centimeter, Inch, and Feet-and-Inches Converter
Convert centimeters, total inches, and feet plus inches in either direction.
Two-way length converter
Edit any measurement and the other units update automatically. 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters; 1 foot = 12 inches.
Calculations use total inches internally. Inputs show up to eight decimal places, and display rounding does not change the precise conversion value.
How to use the converter
Enter centimeters, total inches, or a mixed feet-and-inches measurement. Changing any one input updates the others. Open a section below when you need more detail.
1. Convert centimeters to inches
Enter a length in the Centimeters field to see total inches, decimal feet, and normalized feet plus remaining inches.
This is useful for height, furniture, packages, product specifications, and metric drawings.
2. Convert centimeters to feet and inches
After you enter centimeters, the converter splits the length into whole feet and remaining inches. It shows both decimal and fractional-inch formats.
Decimals are better for precise records; fractions match the markings on an imperial tape measure.
3. Convert total inches to centimeters
Enter the full number of inches in the Total inches field. Whole numbers and decimals are both accepted.
Use this for screen diagonals, tool sizes, fabric widths, furniture listings, and US package dimensions.
4. Convert feet and inches to centimeters
Enter feet and inches separately. Feet are normally whole numbers; inches may be whole or decimal.
5. What happens when inches exceed 12
You may enter more than 12 inches. The converter treats it as part of the total length; select Normalize feet and inches to rewrite it in standard mixed-unit form.
Both entries represent exactly the same length.
6. Choose fractional-inch precision
- 1/2 inch: quick estimates and rough space checks.
- 1/4 inch: furniture layouts and general household measurements.
- 1/8 inch: height, home projects, and everyday tape-measure readings.
- 1/16 inch: woodworking, installation, and finer construction work.
- 1/32 or 1/64 inch: parts and tools when the source measurement supports that precision.
Fractions are display approximations and do not change the precise value used by the converter.
7. Copy, clear, and use presets
Copy feet and inches for an imperial form, copy centimeters for metric records, or copy all results to include precise values and the fractional approximation.
Preset buttons load common centimeter and inch values. Select Clear to start over.
8. Pick the right result for the job
- US height forms: use 5′ 11″ format.
- Medical or precise records: keep centimeters or decimal inches.
- Home and furniture measurements: use centimeters or decimal inches.
- Woodworking and construction: use fractional inches when reading an imperial tape.
- Scientific and engineering work: retain centimeters or unrounded decimal inches.
Common uses
Feet and inches remain common in the United States and in international product, construction, and manufacturing specifications. These examples show which result format is most useful.
Height conversion and US forms
In everyday US usage, height is normally stated in feet and whole inches. For example, 180 cm is usually written as about 5′ 11″. Medical or research records should retain centimeters or an appropriately precise decimal value.
International shopping, furniture, and room planning
US product listings often give width × depth × height in inches. Convert to centimeters when checking whether furniture fits a room, doorway, stairwell, or elevator.
Before buying, check whether a listing gives external, internal, or packaged dimensions.
Home improvement, building, doors, and cabinetry
US building materials and drawings often use feet and fractional inches, such as a 6′ 8″ door or a 36″ countertop. Retain the source precision to avoid cumulative rounding error.
Woodworking, crafts, and tape-measure readings
Imperial tape measures divide an inch into halves, quarters, eighths, or sixteenths. Fractions are easier than long decimals when cutting lumber, mounting shelves, or locating holes.
Choose 1/16 inch for typical woodworking. Use 1/32 or 1/64 only when your plans and measuring tools support that precision.
TV, monitor, and display sizes
A TV or monitor size is normally its diagonal, not its width or height. Overall dimensions also depend on aspect ratio and bezel size.
For a media console or wall opening, use the manufacturer's overall width, height, and stand dimensions.
Luggage, packages, shipping, and airline limits
Airlines often state carry-on limits in inches, and shipping carriers may use inches for package dimensions or combined length and girth.
Airline policies change, so confirm the current carrier rules before travel.
Clothing, sewing, and body measurements
US size charts may list chest, waist, hip, sleeve, and inseam measurements in inches. Sewing patterns also use seam allowances such as 1/4, 3/8, or 5/8 inch.
Sports, fitness, and outdoor equipment
Bike frames, skateboards, rackets, golf clubs, plyo boxes, and gym equipment often use inch sizes. Pair the converted dimension with the manufacturer's fit guidance rather than relying on one number.
Education, engineering, and international business
Use the converter for math assignments, product design, specification review, product listings, international communication, and dimension checks. Engineering work should retain sufficient decimals and always label units.
Common height conversion chart
This chart converts common metric heights to feet and inches. Fractional values follow the precision selected above.
Show height conversion chart
| Centimeters | Total inches | Exact feet + inches | Fractional approximation |
|---|
Everyday US height is usually rounded to the nearest whole inch; keep centimeters for medical and scientific records.
Fractional-inch and decimal chart
Fractions are essential for reading imperial tape measures and drawings. Use this chart to match common fractions with decimal inches and centimeters.
Show common fractional-inch chart
| Fractional inches | Decimal inches | Centimeters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 in | 0.0625 | 0.15875 cm | Fine woodworking |
| 1/8 in | 0.125 | 0.3175 cm | Common tape marking |
| 3/16 in | 0.1875 | 0.47625 cm | Installation clearance |
| 1/4 in | 0.25 | 0.635 cm | Home and hardware |
| 3/8 in | 0.375 | 0.9525 cm | Fitting dimensions |
| 1/2 in | 0.5 | 1.27 cm | Common half-inch size |
| 5/8 in | 0.625 | 1.5875 cm | Seam allowance |
| 3/4 in | 0.75 | 1.905 cm | Lumber and pipe fittings |
| 7/8 in | 0.875 | 2.2225 cm | Near a whole inch |
Common conversion examples
These examples demonstrate round-trip conversions between centimeters, inches, and mixed feet and inches.
Show common conversion examples
| Centimeters | Total inches | Feet + inches | Converted back to cm |
|---|
Formulas and conversion logic
All directions use the same exact definitions, so each formula can be reversed:
Show round-trip and rounding notes
Example: 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.8976378 in, which splits into 5 ft + 8.8976378 in and converts back to 175 cm.
The converter uses total inches internally. Fractions are display approximations only, so their rounding does not feed back into the precise inputs.
Because browsers use floating-point arithmetic, extremely long decimals can have tiny trailing errors; displayed values are formatted to remove that noise.
Measurement and usage notes
Distinguish total inches from remaining inches
Total inches describes the complete length: 5′ 11″ is 71 total inches. Remaining inches is only the portion after whole feet are removed, which is 11 here.
Screen size is not screen width
A 55-inch TV has a 55-inch diagonal. Its actual width depends on the aspect ratio and bezel.
Nominal product sizes may be rounded
Named sizes for mattresses, lumber, pipe, and clothing may differ from measured dimensions. Check detailed specifications and tolerances before buying or building.
Keep the source value for precision work
Fractional inches are readable but rounded. Machining, engineering, and medical records should retain centimeters or the full decimal-inch value.
Frequently asked questions
Can the inches field be greater than 12?
Yes. The converter treats it as part of the total length, then normalizes the result into feet and the remaining 0 to 12 inches.
Why can a fractional-inch result convert back slightly differently?
The fraction is rounded to the selected denominator for easy tape-measure reading. Centimeter and decimal results keep the precise value.
How tall is 175 cm in feet and inches?
175 cm is about 68.8976378 inches, or 5 feet 8.8976378 inches. To the nearest 1/8 inch, it is approximately 5 feet 8 7/8 inches.
Should height be rounded to a whole inch?
For everyday US use, height is usually rounded to the nearest whole inch. Retain centimeters for medical records, fitness tracking, or research.
Does the feet value have to be a whole number?
Whole feet plus remaining inches is the standard format. Decimal feet are accepted, but mixed units are easier to read on most forms.
Should I round to 1/16 or 1/32 inch?
Use 1/16 inch for a typical tape measure and most woodworking. Choose 1/32 or 1/64 only when the source supports that precision.
Does this converter upload my measurements?
No. Every calculation runs in your browser, and measurements are not sent to a server.
Privacy and offline use
This is a client-side tool. Conversions happen locally in your browser; it does not store input history, use cookies, load external scripts, or call an online conversion API.