How do you convert cm to feet and inches?

Divide the centimetre value by 2.54 to get the total number of inches. Then divide by 12 to find the whole feet and take the remainder as the remaining inches. For example, 175 cm divided by 2.54 gives 68.898 inches. Divide 68.898 by 12 to get 5 whole feet with 8.90 inches remaining, so 175 cm = 5 ft 8.90 in.

How many cm is 5 feet?

5 feet is exactly 152.40 cm. One foot is exactly 30.48 centimetres (12 inches x 2.54 cm per inch), so 5 feet = 5 x 30.48 = 152.40 cm. Adding extra inches: 5 ft 1 in = 154.94 cm, 5 ft 6 in = 167.64 cm, 5 ft 11 in = 180.34 cm.

Is the cm to inches conversion exact or approximate?

The conversion is exact. One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres by international agreement (the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959). There are exactly 12 inches in a foot, so one foot is exactly 30.48 cm. All conversions using these factors are precise, not approximations.

cm to ft in Converter

This converter turns centimetre measurements into feet and inches, and works the other way too, converting feet and inches back into centimetres, so you can move between the metric and imperial height systems without doing the arithmetic yourself. Enter a value in centimetres and you get the feet and inches equivalent, the total number of inches, and a breakdown showing the division by 2.54 and the whole-feet calculation. Enter feet and a decimal number of inches (0 to 11.99) and the tool returns the equivalent in centimetres, with a breakdown of the multiplication by 2.54. You can also choose how many decimal places to show in the inches result, from a whole inch up to three decimal places. A quick-read verdict line summarises both conversions in plain language, and a reference table lists common heights from 140 cm to 200 cm alongside their feet-and-inches equivalents, highlighting your entered value if it matches. The maths is exact, not approximate: one inch equals precisely 2.54 centimetres under the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, and one foot equals exactly 30.48 cm, so there is no rounding error in the conversion factor itself. This makes the tool useful for checking height on official documents, converting between NZ metric records and imperial figures used overseas, or simply working out your height in the system you understand best.

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Exact conversion 1 inch = 2.54 cm (International Yard and Pound Agreement, 1959). No approximation.

1. Centimetres to ft and in

Centimetres (cm)

Decimal places in inches

2. Feet and inches to cm

Feet

Inches (0 to 11.99)

Conversion Results

cm to ft in
5 ft 8.90 in
From centimetres

Total inches

68.90 in

From cm input

ft in to cm
175.01 cm
From feet and inches

Total inches

68.90 in

From ft in input

cm to ft in Breakdown

Input (cm)175 cm

Step 1: divide by 2.5468.8976 in

Whole feet (floor / 12)5 ft

Remaining inches8.90 in

Result5 ft 8.90 in

ft in to cm Breakdown

Input (ft)5 ft

Input (in)8.90 in

Total inches (ft x 12 + in)68.90 in

Multiply by 2.54x 2.54

Result (cm)175.01 cm

Quick read: 175 cm = 5 ft 8.90 in. Entering 5 ft 8.90 in gives 175.01 cm.

Common Height Reference Table

Centimetres	Feet	Inches (total)	ft and in

How to Convert cm to ft and in

The conversion from centimetres to feet and inches uses two exact definitions. One inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres, and one foot is exactly 12 inches (so one foot is exactly 30.48 cm). These are international standards, not approximations, meaning the results are precise.

To convert centimetres to feet and inches:

Divide the centimetre value by 2.54 to get the total number of inches.
Divide the total inches by 12. The whole number part is the feet.
Multiply the whole feet by 12 and subtract from total inches to get the remaining inches.

Worked Example

Convert 175 cm to feet and inches:

175 / 2.54 = 68.8976 inches (total)
68.8976 / 12 = 5.7415, so 5 whole feet
68.8976 - (5 x 12) = 68.8976 - 60 = 8.8976 inches remaining
Result: 5 ft 8.90 in (rounded to 2 decimal places)

This matches the default output of the calculator above.

Reverse Conversion: ft and in to cm

To convert feet and inches back to centimetres:

Multiply feet by 12 to get inches from the feet portion.
Add the remaining inches.
Multiply total inches by 2.54 to get centimetres.

Example: 5 ft 8.90 in = (5 x 12 + 8.90) x 2.54 = 68.90 x 2.54 = 175.01 cm.

Common Heights Reference

cm	ft in	Notes
150 cm	4 ft 11.06 in	Short adult height
160 cm	5 ft 2.99 in	Average NZ women's height
170 cm	5 ft 6.93 in	Below average NZ men's height
175 cm	5 ft 8.90 in	Default example above
180 cm	5 ft 10.87 in	Average NZ men's height
190 cm	6 ft 2.80 in	Tall adult height
200 cm	6 ft 6.74 in	Very tall / elite athlete range

Why Two Systems?

New Zealand officially uses the metric system (centimetres, metres, kilometres), adopted progressively from the 1960s. However, the imperial system (inches, feet, miles) was used before metrication, and many New Zealanders, particularly older generations, still think of height in feet and inches. Medical records and official government documents use centimetres, but gyms, sports commentary, dating profiles, and everyday conversation often use feet and inches. International documents, particularly from the United States and the United Kingdom, may use either system. Being able to convert quickly between cm and ft/in is a practical skill.

The Exact Definition

The conversion factor 1 inch = 2.54 cm was agreed internationally in 1959 under the International Yard and Pound Agreement, signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Before 1959, slightly different values were used in different countries (the US survey inch was 1/39.37 metres, approximately 2.540005 cm). Since 1959, all measurements using 2.54 cm per inch are exact, not approximations, which means there is no rounding error from the conversion factor itself.

Related Calculators

Method: Conversion uses the exact definition 1 inch = 2.54 cm (International Yard and Pound Agreement, 1959). 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 cm exactly. No approximations are involved.

This converter is for general use. For precise medical, engineering, or legal measurements, verify results using official standards and consult the relevant professional.