Feet + Inches to Centimeter Converter

Convert any height or length from feet and inches to centimeters.

Feet + Inches to Centimeters Converter

Need to convert imperial measurements to the metric system in a flash? Our Feet + Inches → Centimeters converter is the simplest way to translate any height or length into centimeters with pinpoint accuracy—no math degree required. Whether you are a student, parent, DIY enthusiast, interior designer, web developer, or fitness buff tracking progress, this tool (and the guide below) will give you the numbers and the know‑how.

Interactive Calculator

Enter your values below and click Convert. Centimeters appear instantly:

Why Converting Feet and Inches to Centimeters Matters

The world uses two major systems of measurement: the Imperial/US Customary system—which includes feet (ft) and inches (in)—and the International System of Units (SI), where centimeters (cm) are a core unit of length. When you browse global e‑commerce sites, follow woodworking plans from Europe, or fill out medical forms abroad, you often need to convert values quickly. Accurate conversion prevents costly mistakes in construction, guarantees fashion sizing consistency, and even ensures health records align with international standards.

The Basic Formula (Feet + Inches → Centimeters)

Converting composite imperial units to centimeters is a two‑step process:

  1. Convert feet to inches. Because 1 foot = 12 inches, multiply the number of feet by 12.
  2. Convert total inches to centimeters. Every inch equals 2.54 centimeters, so multiply your total inches by 2.54.

Expressed as an equation:

centimeters = (feet × 12 + inches) × 2.54

Worked Example

Convert 5 feet 9 inches to centimeters:

  1. Feet to inches: 5 ft × 12 = 60 in.
  2. Add remaining inches: 60 in + 9 in = 69 in.
  3. Inches to cm: 69 in × 2.54 = 175.26 cm.

Therefore, 5′ 9″ = 175.26 cm.

Decimal Feet vs. Composite Format

Some charts display height in decimal feet (e.g., 5.75 ft). To convert feet + inches to decimal feet, divide inches by 12, then add the feet value. Because our calculator delivers centimeters directly, you can skip this extra step—but it’s good knowledge when you encounter mixed systems.

Common Heights and Their Metric Equivalents

Below are frequently referenced heights converted to centimeters:

Remember, rounding rules vary by industry. Medical records often round to one decimal place (e.g., 175.3 cm), while fashion may round to whole centimeters.

Applications in Real Life

1. Health & Fitness

Body Mass Index (BMI), pediatric growth charts, and athletic performance statistics frequently require centimeters. Trainers and healthcare professionals use metric values for universal consistency.

2. Interior Design & DIY

Blueprint software, IKEA furniture plans, and international building codes are metric‑centric. Accurate conversions ensure your new bookcase fits that niche perfectly, preventing both waste and frustration.

3. E‑Commerce & Fashion

Global apparel brands publish size charts in centimeters. Customers who shop cross‑border avoid return hassles by converting body measurements correctly the first time.

4. Education & STEM

Physics labs, engineering courses, and science fairs worldwide default to SI units. Students who master quick conversion gain clarity and score higher on lab reports and exams.

Accuracy Tips & Best Practices

Advanced Conversions

From Centimeters Back to Feet & Inches

To reverse the process:

  1. Divide centimeters by 2.54 to get inches.
  2. Divide total inches by 12 for feet.
  3. The remainder of inches after removing whole feet is your inches value.

Example: 180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.866 in.
70 in = 5 ft 10 in, remainder ≈ 0.866 in (≈ ⅞ in).

Integrating Into Your Workflow

Our lightweight JS function (below) can be copied into spreadsheets, embedded in websites, or integrated into native apps. It has no dependencies apart from vanilla JavaScript, so performance overhead is negligible—a crucial factor for high‑traffic conversion pages.

Vanilla JavaScript Function (Reusable)
function ftInToCm(feet, inches) {
  return (feet * 12 + inches) * 2.54;
}

Call it anywhere in your project for instant, accurate results.

Developer‑Friendly API Idea

Planning to automate hundreds of conversions? Wrap the function in a simple REST endpoint:

// Example Express.js snippet
app.get('/convert/ftin-to-cm', (req, res) => {
  const { ft = 0, inch = 0 } = req.query;
  const centimeters = ftInToCm(Number(ft), Number(inch));
  res.json({ centimeters });
});

Now any device—mobile, IoT, or server‑side script—can request precise centimeter values over HTTP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many centimeters are in one foot?
A: Exactly 30.48 cm.
Q: How many centimeters are in one inch?
A: Exactly 2.54 cm.
Q: Is this tool accurate enough for medical use?
A: Yes. The conversion factors are defined internationally and are precise. For critical applications, always measure with a calibrated tape and record results to one decimal place.
Q: Can I embed this calculator on my blog?
A: Absolutely. The code is open and dependency‑free. Just credit the source and keep the core function intact.
Q: Why does my tape measure show fractions instead of decimals?
A: Imperial tools often mark 1/16 inch increments. Convert the fraction to a decimal (e.g., 3/4 in = 0.75 in) before using the formula.

Now you’re fully equipped—mathematically and practically—to switch between feet + inches and centimeters with total confidence. Happy measuring!

Why Converting Feet and Inches to Centimeters Matters

The world uses two major systems of measurement: the Imperial/US Customary system—which includes feet (ft) and inches (in)—and the International System of Units (SI), where centimeters (cm) are a core unit of length. When you browse global e‑commerce sites, follow woodworking plans from Europe, or fill out medical forms abroad, you often need to convert values quickly. Accurate conversion prevents costly mistakes in construction, guarantees fashion sizing consistency, and even ensures health records align with international standards.

The Basic Formula (Feet + Inches → Centimeters)

Converting composite imperial units to centimeters is a two‑step process:

  1. Convert feet to inches. Because 1 foot = 12 inches, multiply the number of feet by 12.
  2. Convert total inches to centimeters. Every inch equals 2.54 centimeters, so multiply your total inches by 2.54.

Expressed as an equation:

centimeters = (feet × 12 + inches) × 2.54

Worked Example

Convert 5 feet 9 inches to centimeters:

  1. Feet to inches: 5 ft × 12 = 60 in.
  2. Add remaining inches: 60 in + 9 in = 69 in.
  3. Inches to cm: 69 in × 2.54 = 175.26 cm.

Therefore, 5′ 9″ = 175.26 cm.

Decimal Feet vs. Composite Format

Some charts display height in decimal feet (e.g., 5.75 ft). To convert feet + inches to decimal feet, divide inches by 12, then add the feet value. Because our calculator delivers centimeters directly, you can skip this extra step—but it’s good knowledge when you encounter mixed systems.

Common Heights and Their Metric Equivalents

Below are frequently referenced heights converted to centimeters:

Applications in Real Life

1. Health & Fitness

Body Mass Index (BMI), pediatric growth charts, and athletic performance statistics frequently require centimeters. Trainers and healthcare professionals use metric values for universal consistency.

2. Interior Design & DIY

Blueprint software, IKEA furniture plans, and international building codes are metric‑centric. Accurate conversions ensure your new bookcase fits that niche perfectly, preventing both waste and frustration.

3. E‑Commerce & Fashion

Global apparel brands publish size charts in centimeters. Customers who shop cross‑border avoid return hassles by converting body measurements correctly the first time.

4. Education & STEM

Physics labs, engineering courses, and science fairs worldwide default to SI units. Students who master quick conversion gain clarity and score higher on lab reports and exams.

Accuracy Tips & Best Practices

Deep Dive: A Brief History of Feet, Inches & the Metric Pivot

The origins of the foot as a unit of length trace back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where body parts served as convenient—but imprecise—standards. The Roman pes measured roughly 29.6 cm, while the Anglo‑Saxon foot varied from shire to shire. It was not until 1959 that the modern International Foot was standardized at exactly 0.3048 meters. Inches evolved from the width of a man’s thumb, formalized in England under King Edward II as “three barleycorns laid end to end.” By contrast, the centimeter emerged during the French Revolution when scientists sought a universal system based on Earth’s meridian. The ensuing metric system gained speed in the 19th century, culminating in today’s SI, which underpins science, trade, and technology.

Conversion Cheat Sheet (Printable)

Save or print the table below for offline reference:

Feet + InchesTotal InchesCentimeters
4′ 6″54137.16
5′ 0″60152.40
5′ 6″66167.64
6′ 0″72182.88
6′ 6″78198.12

Engineering Tolerances & Precision

In aerospace or semiconductor design, tolerances can dip below one‑hundredth of a millimeter. A seemingly tiny rounding error—say 0.1 cm—can derail component alignment. When conversions feed directly into CAD software, use full‑precision values (at least four decimal places) to maintain integrity across the design‑manufacture‑quality pipeline.

Mnemonic to Remember the Factors (H5)

One TwoTwo Five Four helps you recall the two constants: 1 foot equals 12 inches, and 1 inch equals 2.54 cm. Say it aloud a few times and you will never forget the basics.

Fractional Inch to Centimeter Quick‑Lookup (H6)

Common fractions converted to centimeters:

Advanced Conversions

From Centimeters Back to Feet & Inches

To reverse the process:

  1. Divide centimeters by 2.54 to get inches.
  2. Divide total inches by 12 for feet.
  3. The remainder of inches after removing whole feet is your inches value.

Example: 180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.866 in.
70 in = 5 ft 10 in, remainder ≈ 0.866 in (≈ ⅞ in).

Integrating into Your Workflow

Our lightweight JS function (below) can be copied into spreadsheets, embedded in websites, or integrated into native apps. It has no dependencies apart from vanilla JavaScript, so performance overhead is negligible—a crucial factor for high‑traffic conversion pages.

Vanilla JavaScript Function (Reusable)
function ftInToCm(feet, inches) {
  return (feet * 12 + inches) * 2.54;
}

Call it anywhere in your project for instant, accurate results.

Developer‑Friendly API Idea

Planning to automate hundreds of conversions? Wrap the function in a simple REST endpoint:

// Example Express.js snippet
app.get('/convert/ftin-to-cm', (req, res) => {
  const { ft = 0, inch = 0 } = req.query;
  const centimeters = ftInToCm(Number(ft), Number(inch));
  res.json({ centimeters });
});

Now any device—mobile, IoT, or server‑side script—can request precise centimeter values over HTTP.

See Also