Centimeters to Feet

What are Centimeters and Feet?

Centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one hundredth of a meter. Commonly used for measuring human height, object dimensions, and in construction.

Foot (ft) is a unit of length in the imperial system, equal to 12 inches or 30.48 centimeters. Widely used in the United States, United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries.

CM to Feet Conversion Formula

To convert centimeters to feet, use this simple formula:

Feet = Centimeters ÷ 30.48

One foot equals exactly 30.48 centimeters. This is the international standard adopted in 1959.

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide

1. Take your measurement in centimeters
2. Divide it by 30.48 (the exact number of centimeters in one foot)
3. The whole number is the feet part
4. Multiply the remaining decimal by 12 to get the inches part

Common CM to Feet Conversions

Height Conversion

When expressing height in feet, it's common to use feet and inches combination:

• 170 cm = 5 feet 7 inches
• 175 cm = 5 feet 9 inches
• 180 cm = 5 feet 11 inches
• 185 cm = 6 feet 1 inch

When to Use CM to Feet Conversion?

• Height specifications for documents in English-speaking countries
• Construction and architecture when working with international projects
• Sports — athlete heights in American leagues
• Aviation — flight altitude often specified in feet
• Real estate — room dimensions in US and UK

CM and Feet: A Brief History

The foot is one of the oldest units of length, used in ancient Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe, where it roughly matched the length of a human foot. Since 1959 the international foot has been fixed at exactly 30.48 cm. The centimeter belongs to the metric system introduced in France after the Revolution, where 1 meter = 100 centimeters. Today feet remain common in the United States and United Kingdom, while centimeters are standard across most of the world.

Quick Tips

• For quick estimation: 30 cm ≈ 1 foot
• Average adult height: 170-180 cm = 5.6-5.9 feet
• When converting fractions, remember that 1 foot = 12 inches
• Use our calculator for precise calculations