Feet to Centimeters Converter
Enter the length in feet below to convert it to centimeters.
Convert Feet to Centimeters
Enter a value in feet (ft) to convert to centimeters (cm).
Feet to Centimeters Conversion Chart (1–40 Continuous)
Continuous 1 to 40 feet lookup table with exact decimals and reduced nearest 1/64 fractions. Highlighted rows mark common shop and ruler values.
| Feet (ft) | Decimal (cm) | Fraction — Nearest 1/64 (Reduced) | Nearest 1/16 (Tape) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 ft★ Common | 30.48 cm | 30 31/64 cm | 30 1/2 cm |
2 ft★ Common | 60.96 cm | 60 61/64 cm | 60 15/16 cm |
3 ft★ Common | 91.44 cm | 91 7/16 cm | 91 7/16 cm |
4 ft | 121.92 cm | 121 59/64 cm | 121 15/16 cm |
5 ft★ Common | 152.4 cm | 152 13/32 cm | 152 3/8 cm |
6 ft★ Common | 182.88 cm | 182 7/8 cm | 182 7/8 cm |
7 ft | 213.36 cm | 213 23/64 cm | 213 3/8 cm |
8 ft★ Common | 243.84 cm | 243 27/32 cm | 243 13/16 cm |
9 ft | 274.32 cm | 274 5/16 cm | 274 5/16 cm |
10 ft★ Common | 304.8 cm | 304 51/64 cm | 304 13/16 cm |
11 ft | 335.28 cm | 335 9/32 cm | 335 1/4 cm |
12 ft★ Common | 365.76 cm | 365 49/64 cm | 365 3/4 cm |
How to Convert Feet to Centimeters
To convert feet to centimeters, multiply the length by the following conversion ratio: 30.48 centimeters/foot.
Since one foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The length in centimeters is equal to the length in feet multiplied by 30.48.
For example, here's how to convert 6 feet to centimeters using the formula above.
How Many Centimeters Are in a Foot?
There are 30.48 centimeters in a foot, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our foot fraction and decimal calculator can convert feet and centimeters, and it automatically converts the results to US customary, imperial, and SI metric values.
Feet and centimeters are both units used to measure length. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
How to Convert Feet to Fractional Inches (1/16″, 1/32″ & 1/64″)
Plain-language method for turning decimal inches into a standard tape-measure or machinist ruler fraction
Calculators give you a decimal number (such as 72 in), but tape measures and woodworking rulers are marked in binary fractions of an inch—most commonly 1/16″ on carpenter tapes, 1/32″ on fine woodworking rules, and 1/64″ on machinist scales.
Here is the step-by-step worked example for converting 6 feet (ft) into fractional inches:
- Find the decimal inches result: Convert 6 ft to inches to get 72 in.
- Separate the whole inches from the decimal part: Keep the whole number 72 aside, leaving the decimal remainder 0.
- Multiply the decimal part by your desired fraction denominator (16, 32, or 64) and round half up: Multiply 0 by 16, 32, or 64, then round to the nearest whole number (values ending in .5 round up).
- Reduce the fraction to lowest terms: If the rounded top number (numerator) is even, divide both top and bottom by 2 (or their Greatest Common Divisor) until the top number is odd, then combine with your whole inches.
What Is a Foot?
A foot is a US customary and imperial unit of length equal to 12 inches or 1/3 of a yard. Under the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, one foot is legally defined as exactly 0.3048 meters (30.48 centimeters). [1]
Feet are widely used in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for human height, building construction, real estate floor plans, and aviation altitude. Feet can be abbreviated as ft; for example, 1 foot can be written as 1 ft.
Feet can also be denoted using the ′ symbol, known as a prime (or a single quote ' for convenience). For example, 5 feet 10 inches is frequently written as 5′ 10″ or 5' 10".
Feet are measured using 12-inch rulers, carpenter's folding rules, 25-foot steel tape measures, and laser distance meters across residential framing, architecture, and surveying.
What Is a Centimeter?
A centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one-hundredth (1/100) of a meter, which is the International System of Units (SI) base unit of length. One centimeter is also equal to 10 millimeters or approximately 0.39370079 inches. [2]
The centimeter, or centimetre, is part of the SI metric system used worldwide for everyday, scientific, and clinical measurements. Centimeters can be abbreviated as cm; for example, 1 centimeter can be written as 1 cm.
In the metric system, "centi" is the Latin-derived prefix for hundredths, or 10⁻². Because 1 international inch is legally defined as 2.54 centimeters, converting between centimeters and inches is anchored by an exact mathematical constant.
Centimeters are measured using metric rulers, tailor's measuring tapes, stadiometers (for human height), and vernier calipers across carpentry, apparel sizing, school science, and medical charts.
When converting length between feet (ft) and centimeters (cm), keep full floating-point precision (1' = 30.48 cm; 1 cm = 0.0328084 ft) during intermediate calculations and round only the final centimeter figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Foot & Centimeter Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our centimeters to feet converter (cm to ft) to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting inches to centimeters, converting meters to centimeters, or converting feet to meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Length)·Length Metrology Standard — Feet (ft) to Centimeters (cm)
- [2]BIPM SpecificationBIPM (SI Base Unit: Metre (m))·Unit Specifications: Foot (ft) & Centimeter (cm)
- [3]NIST HB 133 ReferenceNIST HB 133 (NIST Handbook 133 (2019 Ed.))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (ft to cm)