How to convert inches to centimetres
To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54, since one inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres. That definition has been fixed internationally since the 1959 yard and pound agreement, so nothing is lost in the conversion — it is exact, not an estimate. The live converter above handles whole numbers and decimals in both directions.
For example, 6 inches × 2.54 = 15.24 cm. If you only need a rough figure in your head, multiply inches by 2.5 — a 12-inch ruler is about 30 cm.
When you need to convert inches to centimetres
People in the US and, informally, the UK measure many things in inches, but forms, product specs and the rest of the world expect centimetres. Common reasons to convert inches to cm include:
- Height on official forms: visas, medical records and international sports registrations usually ask for height in centimetres.
- Clothing bought abroad: waist, chest and inseam sizes given in inches need converting to metric size charts.
- Screens and frames: a monitor or TV diagonal in inches converted to cm to check it fits a cabinet or wall bracket.
- Shipping and luggage: airlines and couriers often state size limits in centimetres, while your tape measure reads inches.
- Crafts and DIY: following a metric pattern or cut list when your tools are marked in inches.
Inches and centimetres: what each unit is
The inch is an imperial and US customary unit of length; twelve inches make a foot and thirty-six make a yard. The centimetre is a metric unit equal to one-hundredth of a metre, part of the SI system used almost everywhere for science and everyday measurement. Because the inch is now legally tied to the metre through the 2.54 factor, the two convert cleanly in both directions.
Inches to Centimetres conversion table
| Inches | Centimetres |
|---|
Common heights in feet, inches and centimetres
Height is the most frequent reason for this conversion, so here is a quick reference:
| Feet & inches | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 60 in | 152.4 cm |
| 5 ft 4 in | 64 in | 162.6 cm |
| 5 ft 7 in | 67 in | 170.2 cm |
| 5 ft 9 in | 69 in | 175.3 cm |
| 5 ft 11 in | 71 in | 180.3 cm |
| 6 ft 1 in | 73 in | 185.4 cm |
| 6 ft 3 in | 75 in | 190.5 cm |
Worked examples
Convert 12 inches (1 foot) to cm
12 × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.
Convert 36 inches (1 yard) to cm
36 × 2.54 = 91.44 cm, just under a metre.
Convert a height of 5 ft 7 in to cm
5 ft 7 in = (5 × 12) + 7 = 67 inches. 67 × 2.54 = 170.18 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Exactly 2.54 cm. The inch has been defined as 2.54 cm since 1959.
Multiply the feet by 12, add the extra inches, then multiply the total by 2.54. 5 ft 7 in = 67 in = 170.18 cm.
Most of the world uses the metric system, so converting inches to centimetres is useful for clothing sizes, screen sizes, height and DIY measurements.
Yes. Because the inch equals exactly 2.54 cm, multiplying gives an exact result. Any rounding is only in the number of decimals displayed.
40 × 2.54 = 101.6 cm. A 40-inch TV diagonal is therefore about 101.6 cm, though the set’s physical width is smaller than its diagonal.