Length conversion
Convert Centimeters to Inches
1 centimeter equals 0.3937 inches. To convert centimeters to inches, divide the number of centimeters by 2.54 (or multiply by 0.3937).
Centimeters to inches is the conversion Americans reach for most — sizing a TV listed in cm, reading a European product spec, or turning a metric measurement into the inches your tape measure shows. Type any centimeter value below and the inches appear instantly, with the exact factor so you can check the math yourself.
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Computed at full precision in your browser; the result is rounded for display.
How to convert centimeters to inches
Formula
inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54 centimeters = inches × 2.54The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters since the 1959 international yard-and-pound agreement, so this conversion is exact, not an approximation.
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.3937 in |
| 5 cm | 1.969 in |
| 10 cm | 3.937 in |
| 15 cm | 5.906 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874 in |
| 30 cm | 11.81 in |
| 50 cm | 19.69 in |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in |
| 160 cm | 62.99 in ≈ 5 ft 3 in tall |
| 180 cm | 70.87 in ≈ 5 ft 11 in tall |
Worked example
Say a furniture listing gives a desk width of 120 cm and your room is measured in inches. Divide 120 by 2.54 to get about 47.24 inches — just under four feet. The same one-step division works for any centimeter figure, which is why the factor 0.3937 is worth memorizing.
Shortcut. Quick mental math: divide centimeters by 2.5 for a close estimate (120 cm ÷ 2.5 ≈ 48 in), then trim a hair since the true divisor is 2.54.
Good to know
Centimeters and inches both measure length, so this is a clean single-multiplier conversion with no offset. If you ultimately need feet and inches for height, convert to inches first and then divide by 12 — see our cm-to-feet note in the related links. For very precise engineering work, keep the full factor (0.39370078740) rather than the rounded 0.3937.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 cm?
One centimeter is 0.3937 inches, a little under four-tenths of an inch. Because an inch is exactly 2.54 cm, you divide any centimeter amount by 2.54 to get inches.
How do I convert cm to inches without a calculator?
Divide by 2.54, or for a fast estimate divide by 2.5 and subtract a touch. For example 50 cm ÷ 2.54 ≈ 19.7 inches; the 2.5 shortcut gives 20, close enough for rough sizing.
Is 2.54 exact?
Yes. Since 1959 the inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters by international agreement, so every cm-to-inch conversion is exact and only the displayed decimals are rounded.
What is 10 cm in inches?
10 centimeters equals 3.937 inches, just shy of four inches. 20 cm is 7.874 inches and 30 cm is 11.81 inches.
How tall is 170 cm in inches?
170 cm is about 66.9 inches, which is 5 feet 7 inches — divide the 66.9 inches by 12 to get feet and the remainder in inches.