Convert meters to feet using this simple converter. Enter the value in meters and get the result instantly in feet.
Converting meters (m) to feet (ft) is a fundamental skill for engineers, architects, travelers, and DIY enthusiasts alike. While the metric system—based on meters—dominates in most countries, the imperial system—based on feet—remains prevalent in the United States and parts of the UK. Whether you’re reading architectural plans, planning a hiking trip, designing furniture, or calibrating equipment, understanding how to accurately convert meters into feet ensures precision, consistency, and clear communication across disciplines.
The meter (symbol: m) is the International System of Units (SI) base unit of length. It is defined by the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. One meter is roughly equivalent to the height of a typical countertop or the length of an adult’s stride. In everyday use, meters measure distances such as room dimensions, track lengths, and geographic spans in science, engineering, and construction.
The foot (symbol: ft) is a unit of length in the imperial and U.S. customary systems. Historically based on the length of a human foot, it is now defined exactly as 0.3048 meters by international agreement. One foot equals 12 inches. Feet are commonly used for building plans, real estate, personal height measurements, and vehicle dimensions in the United States.
Because the foot is defined in terms of the meter, the conversion between meters and feet is exact:
The conversion formula is thus:
Feet = Meters × 3.2808398950131
For simplicity in everyday use, this is often rounded to:
Feet ≈ Meters × 3.28084
Calculation: 1 × 3.2808398950131 = 3.2808398950131 ft
Result: 1 meter = 3.28084 feet (rounded to five decimal places).
Calculation: 0.5 × 3.2808398950131 = 1.6404199475066 ft
Result: 0.5 meter = 1.64042 feet.
Calculation: 2.345 × 3.2808398950131 = 7.6912863009077 ft
Result: 2.345 meters = 7.69129 feet.
Calculation: 10 × 3.2808398950131 = 32.808398950131 ft
Result: 10 meters = 32.80840 feet.
Calculation: 123.456 × 3.2808398950131 = 405.123207056691 ft
Result: 123.456 meters = 405.12321 feet.
| Meters (m) | Feet (ft) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 m | 0.32808 ft |
| 0.5 m | 1.64042 ft |
| 1 m | 3.28084 ft |
| 2 m | 6.56168 ft |
| 5 m | 16.40420 ft |
| 10 m | 32.80840 ft |
| 20 m | 65.61680 ft |
| 50 m | 164.04199 ft |
| 100 m | 328.08399 ft |
| 200 m | 656.16798 ft |
=A1*3.2808398950131 in Excel or Google Sheets to batch-convert measurements.feet = meters * 3.2808398950131; in JavaScript: const feet = m * 3.2808398950131;While the conversion factor is exact, the initial measurement’s precision dictates the final result’s accuracy. For engineering and scientific work, measure in meters to at least three decimal places (e.g., 2.345 m) to ensure feet conversions (7.691 ft) reflect true values. For everyday use, two decimal places often suffice. Always document the level of precision in technical reports.
A1: Exactly 3.2808398950131 feet.
A2: The definitions of the meter (based on the speed of light) and the foot (historically based on human anatomy) lead to a non-terminating decimal when relating the two.
A3: For quick estimates, use 1 m ≈ 3.28 ft or round to 3.3 ft. Multiply your meter value by 3 and add 10% for a rough figure.
A4: Yes—essential in sectors like construction, renovation, travel, and any context where metric and imperial systems intersect.
A5: Divide the value in feet by 3.2808398950131. For example, 10 ft ÷ 3.2808398950131 ≈ 3.048 m.
A6: Architecture, civil engineering, aerospace, maritime navigation, sports science, and international logistics.
A7: Many CAD packages, GIS software, and data analysis tools include built-in unit conversion modules—verify settings to ensure meter-to-foot accuracy.
A8: Two decimal places for everyday tasks; three to four for professional or scientific work. Always align with project requirements.
A9: Yes—record original values, conversion factors, and final results in reports to maintain transparency and reproducibility.
A10: Use exact factors, keep full precision until final rounding, double-check unit labels, and leverage automated tools where possible.
Understanding and accurately performing meters to feet conversions is essential for bridging metric and imperial measurement systems. By using the exact factor (1 m = 3.2808398950131 ft), following clear calculation steps, leveraging reliable tools, and maintaining appropriate precision, you ensure clarity, consistency, and accuracy in all your projects. Whether drafting architectural blueprints, calibrating equipment, planning travel, or teaching unit concepts, mastering this conversion empowers you to communicate dimensions confidently across any application.
Feet, symbolized as ft, are one of the most recognized and widely used units of length in the world, especially in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Despite the global adoption of the metric system, feet remain a vital measurement unit in construction, aviation, sports, and everyday life. This guide covers everything you need to know about feet as a unit—definition, conversions, history, applications, formulas, and real-world examples.
A foot (plural: feet) is a unit of length in the Imperial and U.S. customary measurement systems. One foot is equivalent to:
The symbol for foot is ft, and the abbreviation for inch is in. For example, a person may say they are "6 feet tall" or "6 ft."
The foot has ancient origins and was originally based on the average length of a human foot. Different civilizations had their own versions of the "foot" as a unit of measurement—Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used it with slightly varying lengths.
Standardization came in 1959 when the United States and countries of the Commonwealth agreed on the international foot:
1 international foot = 0.3048 meters
Understanding how the foot relates to other units of length is essential, especially in engineering, construction, and international conversions.
Here are some useful formulas for converting feet into other units:
feet × 12 = inchesfeet × 30.48 = cmfeet × 0.3048 = metersfeet ÷ 3 = yardsFeet and meters are often compared, especially in international measurements. While meters are part of the metric system and used globally, feet are part of the Imperial system.
This makes feet shorter than a meter. For example, a 10-meter-long object would be about 32.8 feet.
In the United States and Canada, people commonly report height in feet and inches, such as "5 feet 10 inches" or "5'10".
Feet are frequently used in architectural blueprints, home layouts, and construction work. Room sizes, door heights, and pipe lengths are measured in feet.
In aviation, altitude is measured in feet. For example, a commercial plane might cruise at 35,000 feet above sea level.
Sports fields are often measured in feet—basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and football fields all use feet for measurement.
Square footage, used to measure the area of a home or office, is based on feet (square feet or ft²).
In math problems, feet are often used to calculate length, area, and volume:
Feet are measured using various tools depending on the precision needed:
There are 5,280 feet in one mile.
Yes, 6 feet is considered tall in most countries. It equals 72 inches or approximately 183 centimeters.
A square foot (ft²) is a unit of area equal to a square that is one foot on each side. It is commonly used to measure floor space.
Just multiply the number of feet by 12. For example, 5 feet = 5 × 12 = 60 inches.
Despite the rise of the metric system, feet remain a core measurement unit in digital applications, CAD designs, 3D modeling, and even e-commerce where product dimensions are listed in feet or inches for North American audiences.
| Feet | Inches | Centimeters | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 12 in | 30.48 cm | 0.3048 m |
| 2 ft | 24 in | 60.96 cm | 0.6096 m |
| 3 ft | 36 in | 91.44 cm | 0.9144 m |
| 5 ft | 60 in | 152.4 cm | 1.524 m |
| 6 ft | 72 in | 182.88 cm | 1.8288 m |
| 10 ft | 120 in | 304.8 cm | 3.048 m |
The foot is a practical and historic unit of length that continues to be used in many parts of the world for daily life, professional fields, and industrial applications. Whether you're measuring height, designing a building, or booking a real estate property, feet offer a clear and consistent way to express length and distance.
Need quick and accurate conversions? Try our online Feet to Centimeters, Feet to Meters, or Feet to Inches calculator tools to simplify your measurements!