To convert feet to centimeters, multiply by 30.48. So 5 ft = 152.4 cm and 6 ft = 182.88 cm. The factor is exact - one foot is defined as exactly 30.48 cm since the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959.
- Exact factor: 1 ft = 30.48 cm (defined, not approximate).
- 5 ft = 152.4 cm. 6 ft = 182.88 cm.
- For ft + inches: convert everything to decimal feet first, then multiply by 30.48.
- Quick mental estimate: multiply feet by 30 (gives result ~1.6% low).
How to Use This Converter
Type any feet value in the ft field and the centimeters result appears instantly. You can also type in the cm field to convert back to feet - it works in both directions. Note: this converter accepts decimal feet (e.g. 5.833 for 5'10"). For a feet-and-inches input format, use the height converter.
How Do You Convert Feet to Centimeters?
Multiply feet by 30.48. One foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters = 30.48 centimeters. This is an exact definition with no rounding.
$$\text{cm} = \text{ft} \times 30.48$$
For feet and inches, first convert to decimal feet: add inches ÷ 12 to the feet value. Example: 5'10" = 5 + 10/12 = 5.8333 ft × 30.48 = 177.8 cm.
Worked examples: 5 ft = 152.4 cm. 5.5 ft = 167.64 cm. 6 ft = 182.88 cm. 6.5 ft = 198.12 cm.
How Do You Convert Centimeters to Feet?
Divide centimeters by 30.48. For a dedicated page with a height reference table, see the centimeters to feet converter.
$$\text{ft} = \text{cm} \div 30.48$$
Worked examples: 160 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.249 ft. 175 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.741 ft. 183 cm ÷ 30.48 = 6.004 ft.
Feet to Centimeters Reference Table
Common height values converted using the exact factor 30.48 cm/ft:
| Feet | Feet & inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 ft | 4 ft 6 in | 137.16 cm |
| 4.917 ft | 4 ft 11 in | 149.86 cm |
| 5 ft | 5 ft 0 in | 152.40 cm |
| 5.25 ft | 5 ft 3 in | 160.02 cm |
| 5.417 ft | 5 ft 5 in | 165.10 cm |
| 5.583 ft | 5 ft 7 in | 170.18 cm |
| 5.75 ft | 5 ft 9 in | 175.26 cm |
| 5.833 ft | 5 ft 10 in | 177.80 cm |
| 6 ft | 6 ft 0 in | 182.88 cm |
| 6.167 ft | 6 ft 2 in | 187.96 cm |
| 6.5 ft | 6 ft 6 in | 198.12 cm |
| 7 ft | 7 ft 0 in | 213.36 cm |
When Do You Need to Convert Feet to Centimeters?
The feet-to-cm conversion is driven almost entirely by human height. The US uses feet and inches for height; most other countries use centimeters. Common use cases:
- Medical and fitness - entering height in metric systems, BMI calculators, and international health records.
- Travel - understanding height restrictions on rides, clearances, and equipment stated in metric units.
- Sports - basketball, athletics, and combat sports often list athlete heights in both units depending on the publication's audience.
- Architecture and construction - converting US blueprint dimensions to metric for international projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cm is 5 feet 10 inches?
5 feet 10 inches equals 177.8 cm. Convert to decimal feet: 5 + 10/12 = 5.8333 ft. Multiply by 30.48: 5.8333 × 30.48 = 177.8 cm. This is a common height for adult males in Western countries.
How do you convert feet to centimeters?
Multiply feet by 30.48. If you have feet and inches, convert to decimal feet first by adding inches/12 to the foot count. The factor 30.48 is exact - it comes from the international definition of the foot as 0.3048 m.
How many cm is 5 feet?
Exactly 152.4 cm. This is the threshold often used in clothing and medical contexts to identify shorter-than-average adult stature. Multiply 5 × 30.48 = 152.4 cm.
How many cm is 6 feet?
Exactly 182.88 cm, commonly rounded to 183 cm in metric medical records. Use the centimeters to feet converter to go the other direction - enter 183 and you get 6.004 ft.