Height Converter
Quickly find your Height conversion with our free Height Calculator. Simple, fast, and accurate.
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What is a Height Calculator?
A Height Calculator (also called a Height Converter) instantly converts between imperial (feet and inches) and metric (centimetres) height measurements. It eliminates mental arithmetic and gives you an exact, rounded result in both directions.
How to calculate height manually (the formula)
Imperial → Metric: total inches = (feet × 12) + inches. Then centimetres = total inches × 2.54.
Metric → Imperial: total inches = cm ÷ 2.54. Then feet = floor(total inches ÷ 12). Remaining inches = total inches − (feet × 12).
The factor 2.54 is exact by definition: 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
Example calculation
5 ft 9 in to cm: (5 × 12 + 9) = 69 inches. 69 × 2.54 = 175.3 cm.
175 cm to ft/in: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches. 68.9 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 8.9 inches remaining. Result: 5′ 8.9″.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to convert feet to inches first — Multiply feet by 12 before adding the remaining inches. Using 5.75 ft directly instead of 5 ft 9 in gives a wrong answer.
- Using 2.5 instead of 2.54 — The exact conversion factor is 2.54 cm per inch. Rounding to 2.5 introduces a noticeable error at taller heights.
- Confusing inches with feet in the result — When converting cm to ft/in, remember the first number is feet and the decimal remainder is inches, not a fraction of a foot.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert feet and inches to cm?
Multiply the total inches (feet × 12 + inches) by 2.54. For example, 5 ft 9 in = (5×12 + 9) × 2.54 = 175.3 cm.
How do I convert cm to feet and inches?
Divide cm by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12 to get feet — the remainder is inches. For 175 cm: 175 ÷ 2.54 ≈ 68.9 in = 5 ft 8.9 in.
Is this converter accurate?
Yes, the conversion factor 1 inch = 2.54 cm is exact by definition. Results are rounded to one decimal place for practical use.
Can I use this for medical or official purposes?
The conversion is mathematically exact, but for official records you should always verify with a certified measurement tool.
Why does the US still use feet and inches?
The United States uses the US customary system alongside metric. Height in feet and inches remains the standard for everyday use, while metric is used in science and medicine.
What is the formula to convert height?
To convert imperial to metric: height in cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54). To convert metric to imperial: total inches = cm ÷ 2.54, then feet = floor(total inches ÷ 12), inches = total inches − (feet × 12).