Centimeters to Inches Converter
Enter a value below to convert centimeters to inches - one centimeter is about 0.3937 inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly). For the reverse, use our inches to centimeters converter.
1 cm = 0.393701 in. Convert centimeters to inches. Need the reverse? See inches to cm.
Centimeter
- Definition
- A centimeter (symbol: cm) is a unit of length in the metric system and the International System of Units (SI), defined as one hundredth of a meter (1 cm = 0.01 m).
- History / origin
- The centimeter is built on the SI base unit, the meter; the prefix "centi" means one hundredth. Metric prefixes scale the meter in powers of ten - kilo (10³), mega (10⁶), giga (10⁹) and tera (10¹²) above it, and centi (10⁻²), milli (10⁻³), micro (10⁻⁶) and nano (10⁻⁹) below it.
- Current use
- The centimeter is used worldwide in countries that have adopted the metric system, wherever a smaller denomination of the meter is convenient - everyday measurements, rainfall, map scales, and body height, which outside the United States is normally given in centimeters.
Inch
- Definition
- An inch (symbol: in) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement, defined since 1959 as exactly 25.4 millimeters. There are 12 inches in a foot and 36 inches in a yard.
- History / origin
- The word "inch" comes from the Latin "uncia", meaning one-twelfth - here one-twelfth of a Roman foot. Earlier English definitions were based on three barleycorns laid end to end, and before that on the width of a human thumb.
- Current use
- The inch is used mainly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is also common for electronic components such as display and screen sizes, which are quoted as a diagonal measurement in inches.
Centimeter to inch conversion table
| Centimeter [cm] | Inch [in] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 cm | 0.0039370079 in |
| 0.1 cm | 0.0393700787 in |
| 1 cm | 0.3937007874 in |
| 2 cm | 0.7874015748 in |
| 3 cm | 1.1811023622 in |
| 4 cm | 1.5748031496 in |
| 5 cm | 1.968503937 in |
| 6 cm | 2.3622047244 in |
| 7 cm | 2.7559055118 in |
| 8 cm | 3.1496062992 in |
| 9 cm | 3.5433070866 in |
| 10 cm | 3.937007874 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874015748 in |
| 50 cm | 19.6850393701 in |
| 100 cm | 39.3700787402 in |
| 1000 cm | 393.7007874016 in |
Popular centimeter to inch conversions
Everyday centimeter measurements in inches, rounded to two decimals - from the common 10-80 cm range used for furniture and fabric to typical adult heights (152-180 cm).
| Centimeter [cm] | Inch [in] |
|---|---|
| 10 cm | 3.94 in |
| 15 cm | 5.91 in |
| 20 cm | 7.87 in |
| 25 cm | 9.84 in |
| 30 cm | 11.81 in |
| 40 cm | 15.75 in |
| 60 cm | 23.62 in |
| 80 cm | 31.50 in |
| 152 cm | 59.84 in |
| 160 cm | 62.99 in |
| 170 cm | 66.93 in |
| 180 cm | 70.87 in |
How to convert centimeters to inches
To convert centimeters to inches, divide the number of centimeters by 2.54. For example, 10 cm ÷ 2.54 = 3.94 inches (or multiply by 0.3937).
One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, so to convert a length in centimeters to inches you divide by 2.54 - or, equivalently, multiply by 0.3937007874:
inches = cm ÷ 2.54 = cm × 0.3937007874
1 cm = 0.3937007874 in · 1 in = 2.54 cm
Example. To convert 15 cm to inches, multiply by 0.3937007874: 15 cm = 15 × 0.3937007874 = 5.905511811 in. Going the other way, 6 inches is 6 × 2.54 = 15.24 cm.
When you need to convert centimeters to inches
Centimeter-to-inch conversion comes up whenever a metric measurement has to meet an imperial spec. Common cases:
- Matching a TV, monitor, or laptop's diagonal - quoted in inches - to a space you measured in centimeters.
- Following sewing patterns, fabric widths, and craft instructions written for inch rulers.
- Comparing A-series paper (sized in centimeters) with US Letter and other inch-based formats.
- Sizing furniture, shelves, and DIY or woodworking cuts against inch-marked tools.
- Filling in US forms or product listings that expect height or dimensions in inches.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 cm?
One centimeter equals 0.3937 inches (0.3937007874 in to be exact) - a little under two-fifths of an inch.
How do I convert cm to inches?
Divide the number of centimeters by 2.54, or multiply by 0.3937. For example, 30 ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 inches.
How many centimeters are in an inch?
There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in one inch. That fixed ratio, set by the 1959 international yard agreement, is the basis of every centimeter-to-inch conversion.
Is 1 cm half an inch?
No. One centimeter is about 0.39 inches, closer to two-fifths of an inch. Half an inch is 1.27 cm.
Is a centimeter bigger than an inch?
No. An inch is larger - it equals 2.54 cm, so one inch is about two and a half centimeters.
How many inches is 10 cm?
10 cm equals 3.94 inches (3.937007874 in to be exact).
How many inches is 30 cm?
30 cm equals 11.81 inches (11.811023622 in to be exact).
Why do you divide by 2.54 to convert cm to inches?
Because one inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. To go from centimeters back to inches you reverse that definition - divide by 2.54, or multiply by its reciprocal, 0.3937.
How many feet and inches is 170 cm?
170 cm is 66.93 inches, which is about 5 feet 7 inches.
How tall is 180 cm in feet?
180 cm is 70.87 inches, or about 5 feet 11 inches.
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Convert centimeters to other length units
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