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Type inches or centimeters and the other box updates as you type, with no button to press.
Free converter · Fractions, feet & inches
Inches to CM Converter
Convert inches to cm as you type, or go the other way from centimeters to inches. Enter tape-measure fractions like 5 3/8 or heights like 5′7″, see the result on a live dual ruler, and grab printable charts for everyday sizes.
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Inches to centimeters converter
Type in either box. Inches accept decimals, fractions (5 3/8) and feet (5'7").
Try:
12 in = 30.48 cm
Millimeters304.8 mm
Meters0.3048 m
Feet & inches1 ft 0 in
Tape-measure fraction12″
How it was worked out
- Multiply by 2.54: 12 in × 2.54 = 30.48 cm
Dual ruler
Inches on top, centimeters below, drawn to the same scale.
Key conversions
Printable reference
Inches to CM Chart
Pick a chart. The row closest to your value is highlighted.
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.54 |
| 2 | 5.08 |
| 3 | 7.62 |
| 4 | 10.16 |
| 5 | 12.7 |
| 6 | 15.24 |
| 7 | 17.78 |
| 8 | 20.32 |
| 9 | 22.86 |
| 10 | 25.4 |
| 11 | 27.94 |
| 12 | 30.48 |
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 13 | 33.02 |
| 14 | 35.56 |
| 15 | 38.1 |
| 16 | 40.64 |
| 17 | 43.18 |
| 18 | 45.72 |
| 19 | 48.26 |
| 20 | 50.8 |
| 21 | 53.34 |
| 22 | 55.88 |
| 23 | 58.42 |
| 24 | 60.96 |
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 25 | 63.5 |
| 26 | 66.04 |
| 27 | 68.58 |
| 28 | 71.12 |
| 29 | 73.66 |
| 30 | 76.2 |
| 31 | 78.74 |
| 32 | 81.28 |
| 33 | 83.82 |
| 34 | 86.36 |
| 35 | 88.9 |
| 36 | 91.44 |
Screen sizes are measured diagonally, from one corner of the visible screen to the opposite corner.
Batch tool
Convert a List of Measurements
Paste one measurement per line, for example from a cutting list or product sheet. Add cm after a number to convert it back to inches.
Results
Why use this one
A Smarter Inches to CM Converter
Real measurements are messy. Tape measures use fractions, heights use feet, and product sheets mix both units. This tool handles all of it.
Fractions and feet
Enter 5 3/8, 3/4 or 5'7" exactly as you read them, and get the nearest tape-measure fraction back.
Live dual ruler
See your value on an inch scale and a centimeter scale side by side, so the size makes sense at a glance.
Four printable charts
Inches to cm, cm to inches, inch fractions in millimeters and common screen and TV sizes.
Bulk conversion
Paste a whole cutting list or product sheet and convert every line in one go.
Exact and private
Uses the exact 2.54 factor, runs fully in your browser and never asks for a sign-up.
Quick start
How to Use This Converter
Enter a length
Type inches on the left or centimeters on the right. Decimals, fractions and feet all work.
Read every unit
Get centimeters or inches plus millimeters, meters, feet and inches, and the nearest fraction.
Check the ruler
The dual ruler marks your value on both scales so you can picture the real size.
Copy or share
Copy the result, share a link to the same value, or copy any chart as CSV.
The formula
How to Convert Inches to CM
To convert inches to cm, multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
cm = inches × 2.54
For example, 12 inches × 2.54 = 30.48 cm. Since 1959, one inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, so this conversion is exact rather than rounded.
- Write down the length in inches, such as 8.5.
- Multiply it by 2.54: 8.5 × 2.54 = 21.59.
- So 8.5 inches equals 21.59 cm.
The reverse
How to Convert CM to Inches
Going the other way, divide the number of centimeters by 2.54.
inches = cm ÷ 2.54
For instance, 30 cm ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 inches. Alternatively, you can multiply by 0.3937, which gives nearly the same answer. Just type into the centimeters box above and the working appears for any number.
Tape measures
Converting Fractions of an Inch and Feet
Fractions
Turn the fraction into a decimal first, then multiply by 2.54. So 5 3/8 inches is 5.375 inches, and 5.375 × 2.54 = 13.65 cm. Most tape measures mark sixteenths, so 1/16 inch is about 1.6 mm.
Feet and inches
Multiply the feet by 12 and add the extra inches before converting. For example, 5 ft 7 in is 5 × 12 + 7 = 67 inches, and 67 × 2.54 = 170.18 cm. This is how heights are usually converted.
Quick mental math
For a rough answer, multiply inches by 2.5 and add a little. Ten inches is about 25 cm (exact: 25.4 cm). Going back, 30 cm is roughly 12 inches, because a foot ruler is 30.48 cm long.
Quick reference
Common Inches to Centimeters Conversions
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 1/4 in | 0.635 cm |
| 1/2 in | 1.27 cm |
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 12 in (1 ft) | 30.48 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 36 in (1 yd) | 91.44 cm |
| 39.37 in | 100 cm (1 m) |
| 5 ft 7 in (67 in) | 170.18 cm |
| 6 ft (72 in) | 182.88 cm |
Background
Where Inches and Centimeters Are Used
The inch is still standard in the United States, and it is common worldwide for screen sizes, tyres, pipes and some tools. Centimeters, in contrast, are the everyday metric unit in most countries for clothing, furniture and body measurements. As a result, online shopping, DIY projects and travel often need a quick conversion. You can read more about the history of the inch.
Benefits
Who Uses an Inches to CM Converter?
Online shoppers
Check clothing, furniture and TV sizes listed in the other unit before you buy.
DIY and makers
Convert tape-measure fractions for woodworking, sewing and 3D printing.
Health and fitness
Convert height and body measurements between feet, inches and centimeters.
Students
Practice unit conversions and check science and maths homework.
Questions
Inches to CM FAQs
How do you convert inches to cm?
Multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 10 inches × 2.54 = 25.4 cm. The factor is exact, because one inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters.
How many cm is 1 inch?
One inch is exactly 2.54 centimeters, which is 25.4 millimeters.
How do you convert cm to inches?
Divide the number of centimeters by 2.54, or multiply by about 0.3937. For example, 50 cm ÷ 2.54 = 19.69 inches.
How many cm is 12 inches?
12 inches, which is one foot, equals 30.48 centimeters.
How do I convert 5 feet 7 inches to cm?
First convert to inches: 5 × 12 + 7 = 67 inches. Then multiply by 2.54 to get 170.18 cm. You can type 5'7" straight into the converter.
How do I convert a fraction of an inch to cm?
Change the fraction to a decimal and multiply by 2.54. For example, 3/8 inch is 0.375 inch, and 0.375 × 2.54 = 0.9525 cm, or about 9.5 mm.
Is an inch bigger than a centimeter?
Yes. One inch is about two and a half times longer than one centimeter, since 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
How big is a 55-inch TV in cm?
A 55-inch TV has a diagonal of about 139.7 cm. TV sizes are measured corner to corner across the screen, not by width.
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