How to Convert Feet and Inches to Centimeters?

Converting feet and inches to centimeters is a common measurement task when filling out forms, checking height, comparing measurements, using health calculators, buying products, or converting measurements between the imperial and metric systems.

In Pakistan, height is often written in feet and inches, such as 5 feet 6 inches (5 ft 6 in), while many calculators, medical records, forms, websites and international systems use centimeters (cm).

The good news is that converting feet and inches to centimeters is simple once you know two basic conversion factors:

• 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters

• 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters

These are exact conversion relationships for the international foot and inch. NIST lists 1 inch as 2.54 cm and 1 foot as 30.48 cm.

Quick Formula for Feet and Inches to Centimeters

If your height is given as feet and inches, use this formula:

Centimeters = (Feet × 30.48) + (Inches × 2.54)

For example, if your height is 5 feet 6 inches:

• 5 feet × 30.48 = 152.40 cm

• 6 inches × 2.54 = 15.24 cm

• 152.40 + 15.24 = 167.64 cm

Therefore:

5 feet 6 inches = 167.64 cm

For everyday use, you can round this to 167.6 cm or approximately 168 cm, depending on the required precision.

Understanding Feet, Inches and Centimeters

Before doing the calculation, it is useful to understand the three units.

What Is a Foot?

A foot, abbreviated as ft, is a unit of length commonly used in the United States and some other countries. One international foot is exactly:

1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 centimeters

What Is an Inch?

An inch, abbreviated as in, is smaller than a foot.

1 foot = 12 inches

One inch is exactly:

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters

NIST's conversion tables list these relationships as exact for the international units.

What Is a Centimeter?

A centimeter, abbreviated as cm, is a metric unit of length.

There are:

100 centimeters = 1 meter

Centimeters are widely used for measuring human height, object dimensions and other relatively small lengths.

How to Convert Feet and Inches to Centimeters Step by Step

Suppose a person's height is 5 feet 8 inches.

Step 1: Convert the Feet to Centimeters

Multiply the number of feet by 30.48.

5 × 30.48 = 152.40 cm

Step 2: Convert the Inches to Centimeters

Multiply the inches by 2.54.

8 × 2.54 = 20.32 cm

Step 3: Add the Two Results

152.40 + 20.32 = 172.72 cm

Therefore:

5 feet 8 inches = 172.72 cm

For a simple height entry, this can be written as approximately 172.7 cm.

Feet and Inches to Centimeters Formula

The general formula is:

cm = (ft × 30.48) + (in × 2.54)

Where:

• ft = number of feet

• in = number of inches

• cm = result in centimeters

For example:

5 ft 4 in

= (5 × 30.48) + (4 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 10.16

= 162.56 cm

So, 5 feet 4 inches = 162.56 cm.

Feet to Centimeters

If the measurement contains only feet and no additional inches, multiply the number of feet by 30.48.

Formula

Centimeters = Feet × 30.48

Examples:

1 foot = 30.48 cm

2 feet = 60.96 cm

3 feet = 91.44 cm

4 feet = 121.92 cm

5 feet = 152.40 cm

6 feet = 182.88 cm

7 feet = 213.36 cm

NIST provides 30.48 cm as the conversion factor for one foot.

Inches to Centimeters

If you have a measurement in inches only, multiply the number of inches by 2.54.

Formula

Centimeters = Inches × 2.54

Examples:

• 1 inch = 2.54 cm

• 2 inches = 5.08 cm

• 3 inches = 7.62 cm

• 4 inches = 10.16 cm

• 5 inches = 12.70 cm

• 6 inches = 15.24 cm

• 7 inches = 17.78 cm

• 8 inches = 20.32 cm

• 9 inches = 22.86 cm

• 10 inches = 25.40 cm

• 11 inches = 27.94 cm

• 12 inches = 30.48 cm

Because 12 inches equal one foot, 12 inches and 1 foot produce the same result: 30.48 cm.

Common Feet and Inches to Centimeters Conversions

The following examples are useful for common height measurements:

These values are calculated using the exact conversion factors of 30.48 cm per foot and 2.54 cm per inch.

How to Convert 5 Feet 6 Inches to Centimeters

5 feet 6 inches is one of the most commonly searched height conversions.

Use:

(5 × 30.48) + (6 × 2.54)

First:

5 × 30.48 = 152.40

Then:

6 × 2.54 = 15.24

Finally:

152.40 + 15.24 = 167.64 cm

Therefore:

5'6" = 167.64 cm

If a website asks for whole centimeters, you can normally enter 168 cm if rounding to the nearest centimeter is appropriate.

How to Convert 5 Feet 7 Inches to Centimeters

Use:

(5 × 30.48) + (7 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 17.78

= 170.18 cm

Therefore:

5 feet 7 inches = 170.18 cm

How to Convert 5 Feet 8 Inches to Centimeters

Use:

(5 × 30.48) + (8 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 20.32

= 172.72 cm

Therefore:

5 feet 8 inches = 172.72 cm

How to Convert 5 Feet 9 Inches to Centimeters

Use:

(5 × 30.48) + (9 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 22.86

= 175.26 cm

Therefore:

5 feet 9 inches = 175.26 cm

How to Convert 5 Feet 10 Inches to Centimeters

Use:

(5 × 30.48) + (10 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 25.40

= 177.80 cm

Therefore:

5 feet 10 inches = 177.80 cm

How to Convert 6 Feet to Centimeters

Because 6 feet contains no additional inches:

6 × 30.48 = 182.88 cm

Therefore:

6 feet = 182.88 cm

This can be rounded to 182.9 cm or approximately 183 cm.

How to Convert 6 Feet 1 Inch to Centimeters

Use:

(6 × 30.48) + (1 × 2.54)

= 182.88 + 2.54

= 185.42 cm

Therefore:

6 feet 1 inch = 185.42 cm

How to Convert 6 Feet 2 Inches to Centimeters

Use:

(6 × 30.48) + (2 × 2.54)

= 182.88 + 5.08

= 187.96 cm

Therefore:

6 feet 2 inches = 187.96 cm

How to Convert 6 Feet 3 Inches to Centimeters

Use:

(6 × 30.48) + (3 × 2.54)

= 182.88 + 7.62

= 190.50 cm

Therefore:

6 feet 3 inches = 190.50 cm

How to Convert Decimal Feet to Centimeters

Decimal feet are different from feet-and-inches measurements.

For example, 5.5 feet does not mean 5 feet 5 inches. It means five and a half feet.

To convert decimal feet directly:

Centimeters = Decimal Feet × 30.48

For example:

5.5 × 30.48 = 167.64 cm

So:

5.5 feet = 167.64 cm

This is also equivalent to 5 feet 6 inches, because half a foot is 6 inches.

Another Example: 5.8 Feet

5.8 × 30.48 = 176.784 cm

Therefore:

5.8 feet = 176.784 cm

It is important not to interpret the decimal part of a foot as inches. For example, 5.8 feet is not 5 feet 8 inches.

How to Convert Feet and Inches When the Inches Are Written as a Decimal

Sometimes measurements may be written like 5 feet 6.5 inches.

The same formula still works:

cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54)

For 5 feet 6.5 inches:

(5 × 30.48) + (6.5 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 16.51

= 168.91 cm

So:

5 ft 6.5 in = 168.91 cm

How to Convert Centimeters Back to Feet and Inches

The reverse conversion is also useful.

Suppose you have a height of 170 cm and want to express it in feet and inches.

First convert centimeters to inches:

Total inches = Centimeters ÷ 2.54

So:

170 ÷ 2.54 = approximately 66.93 inches

Then divide by 12 to find the feet:

66.93 ÷ 12 = approximately 5 feet

The remaining fraction represents the inches:

66.93 − 60 = 6.93 inches

Therefore:

170 cm ≈ 5 feet 6.93 inches

Rounded to the nearest whole inch:

170 cm ≈ 5 feet 7 inches

Formula for Centimeters to Feet and Inches

A practical method is:

Total inches = Centimeters ÷ 2.54

Then:

Feet = whole number of Total Inches ÷ 12

The remaining inches are:

Remaining inches = Total Inches − (Feet × 12)

For example, for 180 cm:

180 ÷ 2.54 ≈ 70.87 inches

70.87 inches contains 5 complete feet:

5 × 12 = 60 inches

Remaining:

70.87 − 60 = 10.87 inches

Therefore:

180 cm ≈ 5 feet 10.87 inches

Rounded to the nearest inch:

180 cm ≈ 5 feet 11 inches

Why Height Is Often Converted to Centimeters

Many online forms and calculators use centimeters because the metric system provides a straightforward decimal measurement.

For example, a form may ask for:

Height: ____ cm

If your height is normally stated as 5 feet 6 inches, you can convert it to:

167.64 cm

This is particularly useful for BMI calculators, medical forms, fitness applications, international documents, educational forms and online calculators that require metric measurements.

Feet and Inches in BMI Calculations

Height conversion is especially important when calculating BMI.

If a BMI calculator requires height in centimeters, a person who knows their height as 5 feet 8 inches should first convert it:

5 ft 8 in = 172.72 cm

The centimeter value can then be entered into the appropriate calculator.

If a calculator specifically requests meters, convert centimeters to meters by dividing by 100:

172.72 cm = 1.7272 m

The conversion between centimeters and meters is straightforward because:

100 cm = 1 meter

Do Not Confuse Feet With Inches

One common mistake is treating feet and inches as decimal units.

For example:

5 feet 6 inches

should not be written as 5.6 feet.

The correct decimal-foot value is:

5 feet 6 inches = 5.5 feet

This is because 6 inches is half of a foot.

Similarly:

5 feet 9 inches = 5.75 feet

because 9 inches is three-quarters of a foot.

When converting feet and inches to centimeters, the safest method is to convert the feet and inches separately.

How Accurate Should the Result Be?

The exact mathematical conversion can produce values with two decimal places or more.

For example:

5 ft 6 in = 167.64 cm

However, the required precision depends on the purpose.

For general height information, 167.6 cm may be sufficient.

For a simple form requiring a whole number, 168 cm may be appropriate if the form expects rounded centimeters.

For technical or measurement work, retain the precision required by the application.

NIST notes that exact conversion factors can be used for precise calculations, while practical measurement reporting may use appropriate rounding.

Common Mistakes When Converting Feet and Inches

Several errors can make a height conversion incorrect.

Mistake 1: Using 30 cm Instead of 30.48 cm

For rough mental calculations, people sometimes use 30 cm for one foot. This is only an approximation.

The exact international conversion is:

1 foot = 30.48 cm

Mistake 2: Using 2.5 cm for an Inch

An inch is exactly:

2.54 cm

Using 2.5 cm produces a small error that becomes more noticeable with larger measurements.

Mistake 3: Treating Inches as Decimal Feet

5 feet 8 inches is not 5.8 feet.

The correct decimal-foot equivalent is 5.6667 feet.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Add the Two Parts

You must convert both the feet and inches and then add them.

Mistake 5: Entering Feet Instead of Centimeters

If an online form asks for centimeters, do not enter 5'8". Convert the measurement first.

Mistake 6: Rounding Too Early

For better accuracy, perform the complete calculation first and round the final result rather than rounding each part unnecessarily.

A Simple Mental Method

For quick everyday calculations, remember:

1 foot = 30.48 cm

and

1 inch = 2.54 cm

Then:

Feet × 30.48 + Inches × 2.54

For example, for 5 ft 4 in:

5 × 30.48 = 152.4

4 × 2.54 = 10.16

152.4 + 10.16 = 162.56 cm

This method works for any normal feet-and-inches measurement.

Feet and Inches to Centimeters for Common Heights

Here are some frequently used examples:

• 4 ft 10 in = 147.32 cm

• 4 ft 11 in = 149.86 cm

• 5 ft = 152.40 cm

• 5 ft 1 in = 154.94 cm

• 5 ft 2 in = 157.48 cm

• 5 ft 3 in = 160.02 cm

• 5 ft 4 in = 162.56 cm

• 5 ft 5 in = 165.10 cm

• 5 ft 6 in = 167.64 cm

• 5 ft 7 in = 170.18 cm

• 5 ft 8 in = 172.72 cm

• 5 ft 9 in = 175.26 cm

• 5 ft 10 in = 177.80 cm

• 5 ft 11 in = 180.34 cm

• 6 ft = 182.88 cm

• 6 ft 1 in = 185.42 cm

• 6 ft 2 in = 187.96 cm

• 6 ft 3 in = 190.50 cm

• 6 ft 4 in = 193.04 cm

• 6 ft 5 in = 195.58 cm

• 6 ft 6 in = 198.12 cm

These results follow directly from the exact NIST conversion factors.

Feet and Inches to Centimeters: The Shortest Method

If you only need the formula, remember:

Centimeters = (Feet × 30.48) + (Inches × 2.54)

For example:

5 ft 7 in

= (5 × 30.48) + (7 × 2.54)

= 152.40 + 17.78

= 170.18 cm

That is all you need to convert any feet-and-inches measurement into centimeters.

Final Tips

When converting feet and inches to centimeters, always separate the feet from the inches, convert each part using the correct factor, and then add the results.

Remember these two numbers:

1 foot = 30.48 cm

1 inch = 2.54 cm

Using these exact relationships makes it easy to convert common height measurements such as 5'4", 5'6", 5'8", 5'10", 6'0" and many others.

For most everyday purposes, the final centimeter result can be rounded to one decimal place or the nearest whole centimeter according to the requirements of the form, calculator or application you are using.

Guide Information

Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify the measurement you want to convert.

2. Check whether the measurement is written in feet and inches.

3. Separate the feet value from the inches value.

4. Write down the number of feet.

5. Write down the number of inches.

6. Remember that 1 foot equals 30.48 centimeters.

7. Remember that 1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters.

8. Multiply the number of feet by 30.48.

9. Record the centimeter result for the feet portion.

10. Multiply the number of inches by 2.54.

11. Record the centimeter result for the inches portion.

12. Add the centimeter result from the feet portion to the centimeter result from the inches portion.

13. Check the addition carefully.

14. Write the final answer in centimeters.

15. Decide whether the result needs decimal places.

16. Round the answer only if the application or form requires rounding.

17. Do not treat inches as decimal feet.

18. Remember that 12 inches equal one foot.

19. If the measurement contains exactly 12 inches, consider converting that portion into one additional foot.

20. If the measurement contains no inches, multiply only the feet value by 30.48.

21. If the measurement contains no feet, multiply only the inches value by 2.54.

22. For a measurement such as 5 feet 6 inches, calculate the feet and inches separately.

23. Add the two results to obtain the complete centimeter measurement.

24. If a form asks for whole centimeters, round the final result according to the form's instructions.

25. If a form allows decimals, retain the required decimal precision.

26. If a calculator asks for meters rather than centimeters, divide the centimeter result by 100.

27. If converting centimeters back to feet and inches, first divide centimeters by 2.54 to obtain total inches.

28. Divide total inches by 12 to identify the number of complete feet.

29. Use the remaining inches as the inches portion of the final measurement.

30. Round the remaining inches only when the intended use permits rounding.

31. Check that the converted value is reasonable compared with the original measurement.

32. For example, verify that 6 feet is approximately 183 centimeters.

33. For example, verify that 5 feet 6 inches is approximately 168 centimeters.

34. Do not confuse 5 feet 6 inches with 5.6 feet.

35. Remember that 0.5 foot equals 6 inches.

36. Use the exact conversion factors when greater accuracy is required.

37. Avoid rounding each part before completing the calculation when precision matters.

38. Compare your result with a reliable conversion calculator if you need an independent check.

39. Enter the converted centimeter value into the required online form or calculator.

40. Review the unit shown beside the input field before submitting the value.

41. Make sure you have not accidentally entered the original feet-and-inches value into a centimeter field.

42. Keep the original measurement available if you need to repeat or verify the calculation.

43. Use the same rounding convention throughout a document or calculation.

44. For medical or technical forms, follow the precision requested by the relevant authority or professional.

45. Save the final centimeter value if it is needed for another calculation.