Unit Conversions
How to Convert Centimeters to Inches (and Back)
A straightforward guide to converting centimeters to inches and inches to centimeters, with a reference table and practical applications.
Centimeters and inches both measure length, but they're used in different parts of the world. This conversion appears in clothing sizes, screen measurements, paper sizes, and height calculations.
The Exact Conversion
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly (defined by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement). 1 cm = 0.393701 inches.
Quick Reference Table
- 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
- 10 cm = 3.94 in
- 30 cm = 11.81 in
- 100 cm (1 m) = 39.37 in
Clothing and Shoe Sizes
Clothing sizes often mix systems. A European size 42 jacket has a chest of about 107 cm (42 inches). Shoe sizes use a range of national systems, but foot length in cm is the universal underlying measurement. A UK size 8 shoe typically fits a foot about 26.5 cm (10.4 in) long.
Screen Sizes
TV and monitor sizes are almost universally stated in inches (measured diagonally), even in metric countries. A 55-inch TV screen has a diagonal of 55 × 2.54 = 139.7 cm. Knowing this conversion helps when comparing specs across different markets.