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Italiano1 cm = 0.3937 in: the answer first
To convert cm to inches, divide by 2.54: inches = cm ÷ 2.54. Example: 50 cm ÷ 2.54 = 19.69 in.
Type the metric figure into the converter above and the result updates as you type, to six significant digits (170 cm = 66.9291 in). The "Formula:" line shows the factor, the "In every unit" table gives the same length in feet, yards and meters, and the ⇄ button swaps the units to go from inches back to cm.
cm to inches conversion chart
| Centimeters | Inches | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.39 | Width of a little finger |
| 5 | 1.97 | Just under 2 in |
| 10 | 3.94 | Just under 4 in |
| 20 | 7.87 | Depth of a European cabin bag |
| 30 | 11.81 | A 30 cm ruler, a bit short of a foot |
| 40 | 15.75 | Width of a European cabin bag |
| 55 | 21.65 | Height of a European cabin bag |
| 81 | 31.89 | Waist of 32-inch jeans |
| 100 | 39.37 | One meter, 3.37 in more than a yard |
| 139.7 | 55.00 | Diagonal of a 55-inch TV |
| 170 | 66.93 | 5 ft 7 in |
| 180 | 70.87 | 5 ft 11 in |
Where metric sizes turn up
Screens listed in centimeters
A screen is measured on the diagonal, corner to corner, without the bezel. 139.7 cm is a 55-inch set, 165.1 cm is a 65-inch one.
Clothing from European stores
Size guides give the waist in cm. Divide to find your usual jeans size: 81 cm is 31.89 in, so a 32 waist; 86 cm is 33.86 in, so a 34.
Height in feet and inches
A passport or medical form says 170 cm. Divide twice. First 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 in. Then 66.93 ÷ 12 = 5 whole feet, which uses up 60 in and leaves 6.93 in. Round it: 170 cm is 5 ft 7 in. Note that the tool's table shows 5.57743 ft. Those are decimal feet: 0.57743 ft × 12 = 6.93 in.
Cabin bags
Many European airlines allow 55 × 40 × 20 cm, which is 21.65 × 15.75 × 7.87 in. The 22 × 14 × 9 in bag common in the US measures 55.88 × 35.56 × 22.86 cm: it fits the width, but it is almost 3 cm too deep.
Doing it in your head
Multiply by 4, then move the decimal point one place left. For 50 cm: 50 × 4 = 200, so 20 in, against an exact 19.69. The shortcut always runs 1.6% high: for 140 cm it says 56 in instead of 55.12.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches are in 1 cm?
0.393700787 in. The other way round, one inch is exactly 2.54 cm. That has been the definition since 1959, not a rounded value.
What is 180 cm in feet and inches?
180 ÷ 2.54 = 70.87 in. Five feet take 60 in and 10.87 remain, so 180 cm is 5 ft 11 in.
Is 30 cm the same as a foot?
Not quite. A foot is 30.48 cm, so a 30 cm ruler is 11.81 in long.