Inches to Centimeters Converter
Enter a value below to convert inches to centimeters - one inch is exactly 2.54 cm. For the reverse, use our centimeters to inches converter.
1 in = 2.54 cm. Enter a value above to convert inches to centimeters. Need the reverse? See cm to inches.
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
- 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 to centimeter conversion table
| Inch [in] | Centimeter [cm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 in | 0.0254 cm |
| 0.1 in | 0.254 cm |
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm |
| 4 in | 10.16 cm |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 7 in | 17.78 cm |
| 8 in | 20.32 cm |
| 9 in | 22.86 cm |
| 10 in | 25.4 cm |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm |
| 50 in | 127 cm |
| 100 in | 254 cm |
| 1000 in | 2540 cm |
Popular inch to cm conversions
Common inch lengths in centimeters - including a foot (12 in), a yard (36 in), and popular screen sizes.
| Inch [in] | Centimeter [cm] |
|---|---|
| 11 in | 27.94 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| 13 in | 33.02 cm |
| 14 in | 35.56 cm |
| 15 in | 38.1 cm |
| 16 in | 40.64 cm |
| 18 in | 45.72 cm |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 40 in | 101.6 cm |
How to convert inches to centimeters
To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 10 in × 2.54 = 25.4 cm.
One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, so to convert a length in inches to centimeters you multiply by 2.54:
centimeters = inches × 2.54
1 in = 2.54 cm · 1 cm = 0.3937007874 in
Example. To convert 15 inches to centimeters, multiply by 2.54: 15 in = 15 × 2.54 = 38.1 cm. Going the other way, 6 cm is 6 × 0.3937007874 = 2.3622047244 in.
When you need to convert inches to centimeters
Inch-to-centimeter conversion is what you reach for when an imperial measurement has to fit a metric system. Common cases:
- Turning US product dimensions and screen sizes (listed in inches) into centimeters for a metric-spec space.
- Preparing international shipping and customs paperwork, where box dimensions are required in centimeters.
- Working from imperial drawings on a project that has to be built or machined to metric measurements.
- Converting US clothing, hat, and shoe measurements into the centimeter sizing used elsewhere.
- Recording lab, school, or medical measurements in centimeters from an inch-based source.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm is 1 inch?
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. This has been the international definition since 1959.
How do I convert inches to cm?
Multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 12 × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.
Is 1 inch exactly 2.54 cm?
Yes - exactly, by definition. The 1959 international yard agreement fixed the inch at 2.54 cm, so it is not a rounded approximation.
How many cm is 12 inches?
12 inches - one foot - equals 30.48 cm.
How many cm is 5 inches?
5 inches equals 12.7 cm.
How many cm are in a foot?
A foot is 12 inches, so 12 × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.
How do I convert inches to cm without a calculator?
Multiply by 2.5 for a quick estimate, then add about 1.6 percent. For example, 10 inches is roughly 25 cm by estimate, and 25.4 cm exactly.
What is 5 feet 4 inches in cm?
First turn the height into inches: 5 feet 4 inches is 64 inches. Then multiply by 2.54: 64 × 2.54 = 162.56 cm.
Popular length unit conversions
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