How many feet are in a metre?

There are exactly 3.28084 feet in one metre. This conversion comes from the international definition of the foot as exactly 0.3048 metres. So to convert metres to feet you multiply the number of metres by 3.28084. For example, 2 metres equals 6.56168 feet, which is 6 feet and 6.74 inches.

How do I convert metres to feet and inches?

First multiply your metres value by 3.28084 to get the total in decimal feet. The whole number part is the feet. Multiply the decimal remainder by 12 to get the inches. For example, 1.8 metres: 1.8 x 3.28084 = 5.90551 feet. The feet part is 5. The remainder is 0.90551 x 12 = 10.87 inches. So 1.8 m = 5 feet 10.87 inches.

Is a metre bigger than a foot?

Yes. One metre is approximately 3.28 feet, so a metre is about 3.28 times the length of one foot. Conversely, one foot equals approximately 0.3048 metres. The metre is the base unit of length in the metric system used in New Zealand, while the foot is part of the imperial system used in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Meters to Feet Converter

This calculator converts a distance in metres into feet, using the exact international standard where one foot equals precisely 0.3048 metres, so one metre equals 3.28084 feet. You simply enter your distance in metres and choose how many decimal places you want the answer shown to, from two through to five. The calculator instantly returns three results: the metres you entered, the equivalent in decimal feet, and a feet and inches breakdown that splits the total into whole feet plus the remaining inches, which is handy when you need a measurement in the format people commonly use for height or room dimensions. Below the results sits a conversion table showing common metre values, such as a typical adult height or a six-foot equivalent, converted to both decimal feet and feet and inches, with your own entry highlighted so you can compare it against familiar benchmarks. This tool is useful whenever you are reading an older New Zealand building plan drawn in imperial units, checking a US product's dimensions listed in feet, converting your own height for an overseas form, or simply comparing room or ceiling measurements between the metric and imperial systems. Because the conversion factor is an exact international definition rather than an approximation, the figures are accurate to whichever precision you select, though for formal engineering or legal work you should still confirm against official metrology standards.

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Exact conversion 1 foot = 0.3048 metres exactly, so 1 metre = 3.28084 feet, (international standard since 1959).

Distance in Metres

Metres (m)

Decimal precision

How the Conversion Works

Conversion factor1 m = 3.28084 ft

Exact definition1 foot = 0.3048 m

Inches in a foot12 in

Formulaft = m × 3.28084

Inches formulain = (ft remainder) × 12

Conversion Result

Metres

Input value

Decimal Feet
3.281 ft
ft (decimal)

Feet and Inches

3 ft 3.370 in

ft + in breakdown

Common Metres to Feet Conversions

Metres (m)	Decimal Feet (ft)	Feet and Inches	Notes

Worked Example

Input1 metre

Multiply by3.28084

Total feet (decimal)3.28084 ft

Whole feet3 ft

Remainder0.28084 ft

Remainder x 123.370 in

Result3 ft 3.370 in

Quick Reference

0.5 m1 ft 7.685 in

1 m3 ft 3.370 in

1.5 m4 ft 11.055 in

1.8 m5 ft 10.866 in

2 m6 ft 6.740 in

5 m16 ft 4.850 in

10 m32 ft 9.701 in

How to Convert Metres to Feet

The conversion between metres and feet is based on the international definition of the foot as exactly 0.3048 metres, agreed upon in 1959. To convert metres to feet, divide by 0.3048, or equivalently multiply by 3.28084.

The formula is:

feet = metres x 3.28084

For example, to convert 5 metres to feet: 5 x 3.28084 = 16.4042 feet.

Converting to Feet and Inches

Once you have the decimal feet result, you can separate it into feet and inches. Take the whole number part as the feet. Multiply the decimal portion by 12 to get the inches. For example, 16.4042 feet becomes 16 feet plus 0.4042 x 12 = 4.850 inches, so 16 feet 4.850 inches.

When You Might Need This Conversion

New Zealand uses the metric system for most everyday measurements. However, you may encounter imperial measurements in older building plans, products imported from the United States, or when working with people who use feet and inches for height or room dimensions. This converter lets you quickly move between the two systems.

Common uses include:

Converting your height from centimetres or metres to feet and inches for international contexts
Reading US product dimensions that are listed in feet
Interpreting older New Zealand building plans drawn in imperial units
Comparing ceiling heights, room sizes, or property dimensions

Metres to Feet Conversion Table

Metres	Feet (decimal)	Feet and Inches
0.1 m	0.328 ft	0 ft 3.937 in
0.5 m	1.640 ft	1 ft 7.685 in
1 m	3.281 ft	3 ft 3.370 in
1.5 m	4.921 ft	4 ft 11.055 in
1.8 m	5.906 ft	5 ft 10.866 in
2 m	6.562 ft	6 ft 6.740 in
2.4 m	7.874 ft	7 ft 10.488 in
3 m	9.843 ft	9 ft 10.110 in
5 m	16.404 ft	16 ft 4.850 in
10 m	32.808 ft	32 ft 9.701 in
20 m	65.617 ft	65 ft 7.402 in
100 m	328.084 ft	328 ft 1.008 in

Related Length Converters

Essential Calculators: all unit converters in one place.
CM to Feet and Inches Converter: convert centimetres to feet and inches.
Yards to Meters Conversion: convert yards to metres.
Kilometres to Miles Converter: convert kilometres to miles.
Imperial to Metric Conversion: convert all imperial units to metric.

Sources and method: International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) definition of the metre as the SI base unit of length. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 metres by agreement under the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959. Conversion factor: 1 m = 1/0.3048 ft = 3.2808398950131... ft.

This converter uses the exact international definition of the foot (0.3048 m). Results are rounded to the selected number of decimal places. For engineering or legal purposes, verify with official metrology standards.