How to convert feet and inches to cm
Turn the whole height into inches first, then convert once. Each foot is 12 inches, and each inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres.
Total inches = (feet × 12) + inchesCentimetres = total inches × 2.54 For 5 ft 9 in:
- (5 × 12) + 9 = 69 inches
- 69 × 2.54 = 175.26 cm
Converting the feet and the inches separately and adding them works just as well — 5 × 30.48 = 152.4, plus 9 × 2.54 = 22.86, giving the same 175.26 cm. Going through total inches is simply fewer steps.
Height chart: feet and inches to cm
| Feet and inches | Centimetres | Metres |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 6 in | 137.16 cm | 1.3716 m |
| 4 ft 7 in | 139.7 cm | 1.3970 m |
| 4 ft 8 in | 142.24 cm | 1.4224 m |
| 4 ft 9 in | 144.78 cm | 1.4478 m |
| 4 ft 10 in | 147.32 cm | 1.4732 m |
| 4 ft 11 in | 149.86 cm | 1.4986 m |
| 5 ft 0 in | 152.4 cm | 1.5240 m |
| 5 ft 1 in | 154.94 cm | 1.5494 m |
| 5 ft 2 in | 157.48 cm | 1.5748 m |
| 5 ft 3 in | 160.02 cm | 1.6002 m |
| 5 ft 4 in | 162.56 cm | 1.6256 m |
| 5 ft 5 in | 165.1 cm | 1.6510 m |
| 5 ft 6 in | 167.64 cm | 1.6764 m |
| 5 ft 7 in | 170.18 cm | 1.7018 m |
| 5 ft 8 in | 172.72 cm | 1.7272 m |
| 5 ft 9 in | 175.26 cm | 1.7526 m |
| 5 ft 10 in | 177.8 cm | 1.7780 m |
| 5 ft 11 in | 180.34 cm | 1.8034 m |
| 6 ft 0 in | 182.88 cm | 1.8288 m |
| 6 ft 1 in | 185.42 cm | 1.8542 m |
| 6 ft 2 in | 187.96 cm | 1.8796 m |
| 6 ft 3 in | 190.5 cm | 1.9050 m |
| 6 ft 4 in | 193.04 cm | 1.9304 m |
| 6 ft 5 in | 195.58 cm | 1.9558 m |
| 6 ft 6 in | 198.12 cm | 1.9812 m |
| 6 ft 7 in | 200.66 cm | 2.0066 m |
| 6 ft 8 in | 203.2 cm | 2.0320 m |
| 6 ft 9 in | 205.74 cm | 2.0574 m |
| 6 ft 10 in | 208.28 cm | 2.0828 m |
| 6 ft 11 in | 210.82 cm | 2.1082 m |
| 7 ft 0 in | 213.36 cm | 2.1336 m |
| 7 ft 1 in | 215.9 cm | 2.1590 m |
| 7 ft 2 in | 218.44 cm | 2.1844 m |
Why the conversion is exact
The inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres, so the conversion from feet and inches to centimetres uses an exact conversion factor. A foot is exactly 12 inches, or 30.48 centimetres.
For example, 5 ft 9 in is exactly 69 inches, and 69 × 2.54 = 175.26 cm.
Writing heights in feet and inches
A height of five feet nine inches is written 5 ft 9 in or 5′9″. The inches part is normally less than 12, because 12 inches make another foot: 5 ft 14 in isn't wrong so much as unfinished — it's 6 ft 2 in. The converter above asks for inches under 12 for that reason.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm is 5 ft 9 in?
175.26 cm exactly. That's 69 inches × 2.54.
How many cm is 5 ft 6 in?
167.64 cm — 66 inches × 2.54.
How many cm is 6 feet?
182.88 cm, since 72 inches × 2.54 = 182.88. Six feet is 1.8288 m.
How do I convert my height if I only know it in feet?
Enter 0 in the inches field. A whole number of feet converts the same way: 6 ft 0 in is 182.88 cm.
Why must the inches be under 12?
Because 12 inches make one foot, values from 12 upward can be carried into the feet field. For example, 5 ft 14 in is equivalent to 6 ft 2 in.