What this calculator does
This height calculator converts a height between centimetres and feet and inches, the two systems most commonly needed side by side: a metric measurement from a doctor's office or a growth chart, and the imperial figure asked for on forms, in casual conversation, or on a driving licence.
Enter a height either way, in centimetres or in feet and inches, and every other unit updates from it: metres, millimetres, and total inches, alongside the feet-and-inches figure most people actually want.
The formula
Centimetres convert to inches by dividing by 2.54. Feet and inches convert to centimetres by first turning the whole figure into inches, then multiplying by 2.54. Feet is the whole number of 12-inch units in the total inch figure, with the remaining inches shown alongside it.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| cm to inches | Centimetres ÷ 2.54. |
| Feet and inches to cm | (feet × 12 + inches) × 2.54. |
| Total inches | The full height expressed as a single inches figure, before splitting into feet and remaining inches. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Enter height as | Choose whether you are entering the height in centimetres or in feet and inches. |
| Height in centimetres (cm) | Height in centimetres, when entering height that way. |
| Feet | Whole feet, when entering height in feet and inches. |
| Inches | Remaining inches, when entering height in feet and inches. |
When to use it
Reading a metric height in feet and inches
A height given in centimetres, from a medical record or an overseas form, converts here into the feet-and-inches figure more familiar in everyday conversation in imperial-using countries.
Converting a feet-and-inches height to metric
The reverse direction is just as common: a height quoted in feet and inches, converted to centimetres for a form, an application, or a metric height chart.
Double-checking a height conversion by hand
The maths is simple but easy to slip up on when converting by hand; this calculator does the same arithmetic without the risk of a dropped inch or a rounding error.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
Common heights converted between centimetres and feet/inches
A spread of heights across the typical adult range.
| Centimetres | Height in feet & inches | Height in metres |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4 ft 11.1 in | 1.50 m |
| 160 cm | 5 ft 3.0 in | 1.60 m |
| 170 cm | 5 ft 6.9 in | 1.70 m |
| 180 cm | 5 ft 10.9 in | 1.80 m |
| 190 cm | 6 ft 2.8 in | 1.90 m |
| 200 cm | 6 ft 6.7 in | 2.00 m |
Questions
How do I convert cm to feet and inches?
Divide the centimetre figure by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide that by 12 to get whole feet, with the remainder as the leftover inches. This calculator does that conversion automatically in either direction.
Why is my height conversion slightly different from another calculator?
Small differences usually come from rounding at an intermediate step. This calculator converts to total inches first and only rounds at the final display step, which keeps the feet-and-inches figure accurate.
What is 5 foot 7 in centimetres?
5 ft 7 in is 67 total inches, which converts to 170.2 cm. Enter feet and inches directly into this calculator to check any other combination the same way.
Does this calculator predict adult height for a child?
No, this page only converts an existing height between units. For a prediction of a child's likely adult height from both parents' heights, see the mid-parental height calculator.
To predict a child's likely adult height from parents' heights instead of converting an existing measurement, see the mid-parental height calculator. For body mass index once height is in hand, use the BMI calculator.