About the Height Converter
Heights are quoted in centimetres in most of the world and in feet and inches in the US, UK and a few other places, so forms, profiles and medical records constantly ask you to switch. This converter handles both directions and shows the answer the way you will actually write it, such as 5′ 9″, alongside total inches and metres.
How to use the Height Converter
- Choose whether you are converting from centimetres or from feet and inches.
- Type your height.
- Read the converted value; inches are rounded to one decimal place.
- Use total inches when a chart or formula wants a single number, for example BMI.
The formula behind it
1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly. Feet and inches = cm ÷ 2.54 ÷ 12 (whole feet) with the remainder in inches. Centimetres = (feet × 12 + inches) × 2.54.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is 170 cm in feet?
170 cm is 66.9 inches, which is 5 feet 6.9 inches — about 5′ 7″.
How tall is 180 cm?
180 cm is 70.9 inches, or 5 feet 10.9 inches, which most people round to 5′ 11″.
How do I convert 6 feet to cm?
Six feet is 72 inches, and 72 × 2.54 = 182.88 cm.
Is the conversion exact?
Yes. Since 1959 the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 cm, so the only rounding is in how many decimals you display.
Why does 5′ 12″ never appear?
Twelve inches make a foot, so if rounding reaches 12 inches the result rolls over to the next foot.