Centimeters to Inches
Result:
Enter a length to convert.
Convert centimeters to inches. From is set to centimeters and To is set to inches. The result updates as you type. One inch is exactly 2.54 centimeters. Meters, feet, kilometers, and miles are on the length converter. That converter does not list centimeters. The other direction is inches to centimeters.
Centimeters to inches formula
NIST Handbook 44 (2024), Appendix C lists 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly. One centimeter is 0.01 meter, so one inch is 0.0254 meter.
Formula: inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54.
The converter multiplies by 0.01 meter per centimeter and divides by 0.0254 meter per inch, then rounds the displayed result to five decimal places.
Example: 30 cm ÷ 2.54 = 11.81102 in. The converter shows 11.81102 in. 2.54 cm shows 1.00000 in.
Centimeters to inches reference table
Each value below is the converter result at five decimal places. Enter the same centimeters in the form above and the result should match.
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.19685 |
| 1 | 0.39370 |
| 2 | 0.78740 |
| 2.54 | 1.00000 |
| 5 | 1.96850 |
| 10 | 3.93701 |
| 15 | 5.90551 |
| 25.4 | 10.00000 |
| 30 | 11.81102 |
| 50 | 19.68504 |
| 90 | 35.43307 |
| 100 | 39.37008 |
| 180 | 70.86614 |
Centimeters to inches examples
Height: 180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.86614 in. The BMI calculator accepts height in centimeters, so a centimeter height does not have to be converted first.
A meter stick: 100 cm is 39.37008 in.
One inch the other way: 2.54 cm is 1.00000 in. The inches to centimeters page shows the reverse, 1 in = 2.54000 cm.
Quick mental math (approximation)
To estimate inches, divide the centimeters by 2.5. Example: 30 cm ÷ 2.5 is about 12 in. The exact result is 11.81102 in.
This shortcut is an approximation. It runs about 1.6 percent high, because 2.5 is a little less than 2.54. Use the converter or the exact formula for sewing patterns, parts, forms, or records.
Centimeters to inches FAQ
How many centimeters are in an inch?
Exactly 2.54 centimeters. The converter uses that factor, so 2.54 cm shows 1.00000 in.
How do I convert inches to centimeters?
Multiply inches by 2.54. Example: 10 in × 2.54 = 25.4 cm, which the inches to centimeters page shows as 25.40000 cm.
How do I convert a height in centimeters to feet and inches?
Divide centimeters by 2.54 to get inches, then split out groups of 12. Example: 180 cm is 70.86614 in, which is 5 feet and 10.86614 inches. The BMI calculator also accepts height in centimeters directly.