Length conversion
Convert Inches to Centimeters
1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
Inches to centimeters is the conversion you need when a form, a sewing pattern, or an international shipping label wants metric but your ruler reads in inches. Enter any inch value and the centimeters appear instantly, with the exact factor shown so the result is easy to trust.
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Computed at full precision in your browser; the result is rounded for display.
How to convert inches to centimeters
Formula
centimeters = inches × 2.54 inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54By the 1959 international agreement, one inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters — this conversion has no rounding error at all.
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 10 in | 25.4 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm 1 foot |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm 2 feet |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm 1 yard |
| 72 in | 182.88 cm 6 feet |
Worked example
Filling in a European visa form that asks your height in centimeters? If you're 5 feet 9 inches, that's 69 inches; multiply 69 × 2.54 to get 175.26 cm. The same single multiplication converts any inch measurement — a 32-inch waist becomes 81.3 cm, a 15-inch laptop becomes 38.1 cm.
Shortcut. Quick mental math: multiply inches by 2.5 and add a little. A 40-inch TV is about 40 × 2.5 = 100 cm, nudged up to 101.6 cm at the true factor.
Good to know
This is a straight multiply-by-2.54 conversion with no offset. When a measurement is given in feet and inches, convert the whole thing to inches first (feet × 12 + inches), then multiply by 2.54. Keep the full 2.54 — it's already exact — for anything that needs precision like machining or tailoring.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm is 1 inch?
Exactly 2.54 centimeters. Multiply any number of inches by 2.54 to get the centimeter equivalent.
What is 12 inches in cm?
12 inches — one foot — equals exactly 30.48 centimeters. Two feet (24 inches) is 60.96 cm and a yard (36 inches) is 91.44 cm.
How do I convert inches to cm in my head?
Multiply by 2.5 for a quick estimate, then add about 1.5%. A 10-inch pan is roughly 25 cm (25.4 cm exactly).
Is the inch-to-cm conversion exact?
Yes. The inch is defined as 2.54 cm exactly, so there is no approximation — only the decimals shown on screen are rounded.
What is 5 feet 7 inches in cm?
5 ft 7 in is 67 inches; 67 × 2.54 = 170.18 cm, usually rounded to 170 cm.