Last updated: May 2026
Enter centimeters — get feet, inches, and decimal feet instantly. Includes a full height reference chart.
Two-way converter — edit either side to update the other
cm → feet & inches: Divide cm by 30.48 to get decimal feet. The integer part is feet. Multiply the decimal remainder by 12 to get inches.
feet & inches → cm: (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54) = centimeters.
Example: 175 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.7415 ft → 5 ft. 0.7415 × 12 = 8.9 in → 5 ft 9 in.
The conversion between centimeters and feet-and-inches comes down to one key fact: one foot equals exactly 30.48 centimeters. That's it. Everything else is arithmetic.
To convert cm to feet, divide by 30.48. You'll get a decimal — the whole number is your feet count, and the decimal portion tells you the remaining inches when multiplied by 12. To reverse the process (feet and inches back to cm), multiply feet by 30.48 and inches by 2.54, then add the two together.
The reason you use 2.54 for inches is that one inch = 2.54 cm exactly. And since there are 12 inches in a foot: 12 × 2.54 = 30.48. The math is tidy once you see where it comes from.
Here are the most-looked-up heights converted to feet and inches and decimal feet, at 5 cm increments:
| Centimeters | Feet & Inches | Decimal Feet | Total Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4 ft 11.1 in | 4.921 ft | 59.1 in |
| 155 cm | 5 ft 1.0 in | 5.085 ft | 61.0 in |
| 160 cm | 5 ft 3.0 in | 5.249 ft | 63.0 in |
| 165 cm | 5 ft 5.0 in | 5.413 ft | 65.0 in |
| 170 cm | 5 ft 6.9 in | 5.577 ft | 66.9 in |
| 175 cm | 5 ft 8.9 in | 5.741 ft | 68.9 in |
| 180 cm | 5 ft 10.9 in | 5.906 ft | 70.9 in |
| 185 cm | 6 ft 0.8 in | 6.070 ft | 72.8 in |
| 190 cm | 6 ft 2.8 in | 6.234 ft | 74.8 in |
| 195 cm | 6 ft 4.8 in | 6.398 ft | 76.8 in |
| 200 cm | 6 ft 6.7 in | 6.562 ft | 78.7 in |
Most of the world settled on metric — centimeters for height, kilograms for weight — decades ago. The holdouts are mostly English-speaking: the US uses feet and inches for everyday height measurement, and the UK is a fascinating middle ground where people often know their height in both systems simultaneously.
The practical upshot is that anyone who travels, uses international dating apps, watches overseas sports broadcasts, or buys clothing from global brands will inevitably need to convert between the two. A 5'10" basketball player is 177.8 cm. A 180 cm sprinter is 5 ft 11 in. These conversions come up constantly.
Passports and official documents: US passports list height in feet and inches; most other countries use cm. If you're filling out an international form and only know your height in one system, this converter has you covered.
Medical records: Doctors in the US record height in feet and inches; international medical records use cm. If you're traveling, it helps to know both. 170 cm is approximately 5 ft 7 in, which sounds very different but is exactly the same height.
Online dating profiles: Many US dating apps ask for height in feet and inches; international apps use cm. Converting accurately avoids an awkward moment when someone who listed themselves as 6 ft turns out to be 5 ft 11.5 in (which is 182.2 cm, by the way — there's a reason the 6-foot threshold matters to some people).
Clothing and apparel: International size charts — especially for athletic wear, jeans, and formal clothing — often use cm for inseam measurements, sleeve lengths, and torso heights. Knowing your centimeter equivalent avoids guesswork.
Why do some countries use cm and others use feet and inches for height?
Most countries adopted the International System of Units (SI), which uses centimeters and meters. The US, Myanmar, and Liberia are the notable holdouts who use imperial measurements in everyday life. The US made several attempts to go metric — most prominently in the 1970s — but public and political resistance meant imperial stuck around. Today, the US uses metric in science, medicine, and international trade, but everyday height stays in feet and inches.
How do I convert cm to feet and inches without a calculator?
Divide your cm value by 30 for a quick rough estimate (a foot is 30.48 cm, so dividing by 30 overshoots slightly). For a more accurate mental calculation: multiply your cm by 0.0328 to get decimal feet, then multiply the decimal part by 12 for inches. For 175 cm: 175 × 0.0328 ≈ 5.74 ft → 5 feet and about 8.9 inches.
What are the most common heights in both centimeters and feet?
The global average height for adult men is around 171 cm (5 ft 7 in); for women it's about 159 cm (5 ft 3 in). In the US, average male height is roughly 175–177 cm (5 ft 9 in); average female height is about 162–163 cm (5 ft 4 in). Common benchmarks: 160 cm = 5 ft 3 in; 170 cm = 5 ft 7 in; 180 cm = 5 ft 11 in; 183 cm = 6 ft exactly; 190 cm = 6 ft 3 in.
Which countries use metric vs imperial for measuring height?
Virtually every country outside the US uses centimeters for height — all of Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania. Canada officially uses metric but many Canadians still think and speak in feet and inches, especially for personal height. The UK is a hybrid: road distances are in miles, but height is increasingly stated in cm especially among younger people, while older generations often prefer feet and inches. The US remains firmly in the feet-and-inches camp for everyday conversation.
How do I enter my height in cm on a US passport application or clothing size chart?
For a US passport, height is entered in feet and inches — convert your cm value using this calculator, then round to the nearest inch. For example, 172 cm = 5 ft 7.7 in, which you'd round to 5 ft 8 in on the form. For clothing size charts, many international brands provide cm measurements for inseam, chest, or sleeve — just use your centimeter height directly. US brands typically list measurements in inches; divide your cm value by 2.54 to get the equivalent in inches.