CM to Feet Converter

Why convert centimeters to feet?

Centimeters and feet both measure length, but they’re used in different places and different contexts. Centimeters are part of the metric system and are common in science, education, and most countries’ everyday measurements. Feet are part of the imperial and US customary systems, and they’re frequently used for height, room dimensions, and construction references in places where imperial units are standard. A cm to feet converter helps you switch between the two systems cleanly and consistently.

The exact conversion: 1 foot = 30.48 cm

The conversion from cm to ft is based on exact definitions. An inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, and a foot is defined as exactly 12 inches. Multiply those together and you get:

Because this is an exact standard, the conversion itself is exact. The only “wiggle” is how you choose to round the displayed answer.

How to convert cm to feet (the quick formula)

To convert centimeters to feet, divide by 30.48:

Example: 170 cm ÷ 30.48 ≈ 5.577 ft. That’s the total feet as a decimal.

Decimal feet vs feet-and-inches

People often see a result like 5.577 ft and try to read it as 5 ft 5.77 in. That’s not correct. The decimal part is a fraction of a foot, not inches. To convert the decimal part to inches, multiply by 12:

For 170 cm:

• Total feet ≈ 5.577
• Whole feet = 5
• Remaining inches ≈ (0.577 × 12) = 6.92 inches
• So ≈ 5 ft 6.9 in (often rounded to 5′7″)

Common reasons people use cm → ft

Height conversion

Height is one of the most common use cases. Medical records, sports stats, forms, and profiles may ask for feet and inches, while you might know your height in centimeters. The Feet + Inches tab is built specifically for this.

Interior measurements

Room dimensions, ceiling heights, and furniture sizes are often described in feet. If you have a metric plan or a metric tape measure, converting helps you communicate sizes in the format others expect.

DIY and renovation work

Materials can be sold in either system depending on supplier. Converting cm to ft helps you compare options and plan accurately.

Online shopping and product specifications

Some stores list dimensions in centimeters even if customers think in feet. A quick conversion avoids ordering items that don’t fit.

Rounding: choosing the “right” precision

There’s no single best number of decimals for every scenario. Use what matches the level of accuracy you need:

• Height: nearest inch (or tenth of an inch) is typical.
• Room sizes: 1–2 decimals in feet can be fine for estimates.
• Construction/fabrication: you may need fractions of an inch or tighter tolerances.
• Charts and tables: keep consistent decimals so values are easy to scan.

This converter lets you choose decimal places and rounding direction (round, down, up), which is handy when you need conservative “minimum” or “maximum” estimates.

Quick reference conversions

These come up often for height and everyday measurements:

• 100 cm ≈ 3.281 ft (≈ 3 ft 3.4 in)
• 150 cm ≈ 4.921 ft (≈ 4 ft 11.1 in)
• 160 cm ≈ 5.249 ft (≈ 5 ft 3.0 in)
• 170 cm ≈ 5.577 ft (≈ 5 ft 6.9 in)
• 180 cm ≈ 5.906 ft (≈ 5 ft 10.9 in)
• 190 cm ≈ 6.234 ft (≈ 6 ft 2.8 in)
• 200 cm ≈ 6.562 ft (≈ 6 ft 6.7 in)

If you want a custom list, use the Conversion Table tab to generate a table for any range and step size.

Common mistakes this converter prevents

• Reading decimal feet as inches: 5.5 ft is 5 ft 6 in, not 5 ft 5 in.
• Rounding too early: keep more precision until the final display step.
• Using rough mental approximations: “30 cm is about 1 ft” is close but not exact (1 ft = 30.48 cm).

Tips for accurate measurement

Use consistent units while working

Switching back and forth increases mistakes. Keep most measurements in one system, convert only when you need to communicate or match a tool/material labeled in another system.

Match your rounding to your tools

If your tape measure is marked in 1/8-inch increments, rounding to two decimals might not be as practical as rounding inches to a sensible fraction. For height, rounding to the nearest inch is usually enough.

Double-check the context

Some product dimensions use different reference points (overall height vs internal clearance). Make sure you’re converting the right measurement and not mixing “total size” with “usable size.”