To convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048. So 6 ft = 1.8288 m. The factor is exact - one foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters since the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959.
- Exact factor: 1 ft = 0.3048 m (international definition, fixed in 1959).
- 1 foot = 30.48 cm exactly.
- Quick mental check: divide feet by 3.28 for a close estimate (error under 0.025%).
- Aviation altitude is measured in feet worldwide, even in countries that use metric (ICAO standard).
How to Use This Converter
Type any value in the feet field and the meters result appears instantly. You can also type in the meters field to convert back to feet - it works in both directions without pressing a button.
How Do You Convert Feet to Meters?
Multiply feet by 0.3048. This factor is exact: one foot is defined as precisely 0.3048 meters under the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959. There is no rounding error in the conversion itself.
$$\text{m} = \text{ft} \times 0.3048$$
Worked examples: 5 ft = 1.524 m. 6 ft = 1.8288 m. 100 ft = 30.48 m.
How Do You Convert Meters to Feet?
Divide meters by 0.3048, or multiply by 3.28084. For a full multi-unit converter, the length converter handles all metric and imperial units at once.
$$\text{ft} = \text{m} \div 0.3048$$
Worked examples: 1 m = 3.28084 ft. 1.8 m = 5.9055 ft. 10 m = 32.808 ft.
Feet to Meters Reference Table
Common height and distance values converted using the exact factor 0.3048.
| Feet | Meters | Common context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m | Ruler length |
| 3 ft | 0.9144 m | 1 yard |
| 4 ft | 1.2192 m | Tall child |
| 5 ft | 1.524 m | Short adult |
| 5 ft 6 in | 1.6764 m | Average female height (US) |
| 5 ft 9 in | 1.7526 m | Average male height (US) |
| 6 ft | 1.8288 m | Tall adult |
| 6 ft 6 in | 1.9812 m | NBA average height |
| 10 ft | 3.048 m | Standard ceiling (US) |
| 100 ft | 30.48 m | 10-storey building approx. |
| 1000 ft | 304.8 m | Low cloud ceiling |
When Do You Need to Convert Feet to Meters?
Feet are primarily used in the US and to some extent the UK for everyday heights and some distances. According to NIST (2023), most other countries use meters. Common conversion scenarios include international height records, construction documents, and aviation altitudes.
- Height records - athletes and medical records in the US use feet and inches; international standards use meters.
- Aviation - ICAO requires altitude in feet, so all pilots and controllers worldwide use feet regardless of their country's unit system.
- Construction - US blueprints use feet; EU blueprints use meters.
- Real estate - US property listings use square feet; European listings use square meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many meters is 1 foot?
1 foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters. This is a fixed definition - not an approximation. It was agreed upon internationally in 1959 to standardize the relationship between imperial and metric units permanently.
How do you convert feet to meters?
Multiply feet by 0.3048. The result is exact because the foot is defined in terms of meters. Quick mental shortcut: divide by 3.28 (error under 0.025%). For feet-and-inches, convert inches to decimal feet first by dividing inches by 12.
How many meters is 5 feet 11 inches?
5 ft 11 in = 1.8034 m. Convert to total inches: 5 × 12 + 11 = 71 in. Then multiply by 0.0254 m/in: 71 × 0.0254 = 1.8034 m. For any feet-and-inches combo, the height converter handles this directly.
How many meters is 6 feet?
6 feet equals 1.8288 meters exactly. This is one of the most commonly looked-up conversions because 6 ft is a commonly cited height benchmark in English-speaking countries. In metric contexts it's typically stated as 1.83 m (rounded).