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Converters

Length Converter

Convert any length between metric and imperial units. Every factor used here is exact by international agreement — an inch has been defined as precisely 25.4 millimetres since 1959, so nothing is being rounded behind the scenes.

centimetres to inches

0.3937 in

1 cm converted

1 cm equals
0.3937 in
Conversion factor
Exact by definition

How to use this tool

  1. Enter the value you want to convert.
  2. Pick the unit you are converting from, then the unit you want.
  3. Use the swap button to reverse the direction without retyping.
  4. The result updates as you type. Copy it with the copy button.

Formula and method

value in metres = value × factor
result = metres ÷ target factor

Everything is normalised to metres first, then converted out. That is why every pair of units in this category agrees with every other — there is one definition per unit, not one per pairing.

Worked examples

180 centimetres in feet and inches

  1. 180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.866 inches
  2. 70.866 ÷ 12 = 5 feet, remainder 10.87 inches

About 5 feet 10.9 inches.

A marathon in miles

  1. 42.195 km ÷ 1.609344 = 26.2187

26.219 miles.

Notes and limitations

  • All the factors in this category are exact by definition, not measured approximations. One inch is exactly 25.4 mm, one mile exactly 1,609.344 m.
  • A nautical mile is 1,852 metres exactly and is not the same as a land mile. It is used for sea and air navigation because it corresponds to one minute of latitude.
  • Results are shown to a precision that suits their magnitude. Very small values keep more decimal places so the leading digits stay visible.

Frequently asked questions

How many centimetres are in an inch?

Exactly 2.54. This is a definition rather than a measurement, agreed internationally in 1959, so the conversion carries no rounding error.

How do I convert centimetres to feet and inches?

Divide the centimetres by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12 for the whole feet, with the remainder as inches. 175 cm is 68.9 inches, which is 5 feet 8.9 inches.

How many kilometres are in a mile?

1.609344 exactly. Going the other way, one kilometre is about 0.621371 miles.

What is a nautical mile?

1,852 metres, roughly 15% longer than a land mile. It is used in shipping and aviation because one nautical mile is one minute of latitude, which makes chart work simpler.

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