1 cm
0.39 in
Length Converter
CM to Inches Converter
Convert centimeters to inches instantly, in both directions — plus a full reference table for common heights and lengths.
- Live Bidirectional
- Exact 2.54 cm/inch
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Convert Centimeters ⇄ Inches
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Reference
Common CM to Inches Conversions
5 cm
1.97 in
10 cm
3.94 in
30 cm
11.81 in
100 cm
39.37 in
150 cm
59.06 in
170 cm
66.93 in
180 cm
70.87 in
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1 centimeter equals exactly 0.393701 inches. This is an exact conversion by international agreement, since 1 inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters.
Divide the number of centimeters by 2.54. For example, 180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.87 inches.
Multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 12 inches × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.
In 1959, the US, UK, and other Commonwealth countries formally agreed to define the international inch as exactly 2.54 centimeters, replacing several slightly different national definitions and making the conversion between metric and imperial length an exact ratio rather than an approximation.
A quick mental approximation is to divide centimeters by 2.5 (instead of 2.54), which is close enough for rough estimates — for example, 100 cm ÷ 2.5 = 40 inches (actual: 39.37 inches).
The CM to Inch Formula
To convert centimeters to inches, divide by 2.54: inches = cm ÷ 2.54. To go the other way, multiply by the same number: cm = inches × 2.54. This is an exact, internationally standardized ratio — not an approximation.
Full Reference Table
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 2.54 cm | 1 in |
| 5 cm | 1.97 in |
| 10 cm | 3.94 in |
| 15 cm | 5.91 in |
| 20 cm | 7.87 in |
| 25 cm | 9.84 in |
| 50 cm | 19.69 in |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in |
| 200 cm | 78.74 in |
CM-to-inches conversions are most commonly needed for clothing/shoe sizing, furniture and screen dimensions, and height — many countries report height in centimeters while the US commonly uses feet and inches.