Inches to Centimeters Converter
Convert inches to centimeters instantly. Type any value and get the exact cm equivalent. Includes a common values table, formula, and conversion examples.
Centimeters (cm)
Need the reverse? Convert centimeters to inches →
Common Inches to Centimeters Conversions
| inches (in) | centimeters (cm) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm | 1 in |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm | 3 in |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm | 6 in |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm | 1 ft |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm | 2 ft |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm | 3 ft / 1 yd |
| 60 in | 152.4 cm | 5 ft |
| 66 in | 167.64 cm | 5 ft 6 in |
| 72 in | 182.88 cm | 6 ft |
The Inches-to-Centimeters Formula
The conversion factor between inches and centimeters is exactly 2.54 — defined by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959. To convert any number of inches to centimeters, multiply by 2.54. For example, 12 inches × 2.54 = 30.48 cm. Because the factor is a whole number, this is one of the few cross-system conversions that produces exact results without rounding for common values. One foot (12 inches) is exactly 30.48 cm; one yard (36 inches) is exactly 91.44 cm.
When You Need This Conversion
The most common situations requiring an inch-to-centimeter conversion: reading product specifications from international manufacturers (screens, camera sensors, and tire widths are often listed in inches even outside the US); understanding US clothing and shoe size dimensions against metric sizing charts; interpreting height measurements on medical or fitness records when the chart uses centimeters; and following building or DIY plans from US sources when your measuring tools are metric. Height conversions are especially common — 5 feet 10 inches equals 70 inches, which equals exactly 177.8 cm.
Inches vs. Centimeters in Everyday Life
In the United States, inches remain the everyday unit for most lengths: screen diagonals (the standard '65-inch TV'), pipe and lumber dimensions, clothing waistbands, and tape measures all use inches. Centimeters dominate in medicine, science, and most countries outside the US. When reading nutrition labels, medication dosages, or international product specs, knowing that 1 inch = 2.54 cm — and that a centimeter is about 0.4 of an inch — is a practical shortcut. For quick mental math, rounding 1 inch ≈ 2.5 cm gives an answer accurate to within 1.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centimeters is 1 inch?
1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. This is an exact conversion factor defined by international agreement in 1959, not an approximation.
How do I convert inches to centimeters?
Multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 10 inches × 2.54 = 25.4 cm. For a quick mental estimate, multiply by 2.5 — that gives an answer within 1.6% of the exact value.
What is 5 feet in centimeters?
5 feet = 60 inches. 60 × 2.54 = 152.4 cm. Similarly, 5 feet 10 inches = 70 inches × 2.54 = 177.8 cm, and 6 feet = 72 inches × 2.54 = 182.88 cm.
Is 2.54 an exact number or a rounded value?
It is exact. The 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement defined 1 yard as exactly 0.9144 meters. Since 1 yard = 36 inches, this gives 1 inch = 0.9144 ÷ 36 = 0.0254 meters = exactly 2.54 centimeters.