Convert Centimeters to Feet and Inches and Convert Feet and Inches to Centimeters
To convert centimeters to feet and inches, and vice versa, write the value(s) You have and click 'Calculate' to convert it:
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How to Convert Centimeters (cm) to Feet (ft) and Inches (in) and Vice Versa
The relations between feet, inches, and centimeters are:
1 in = 2.54 cm → 1 cm = 1/2.54 in = ~0.393700787401 in
1 ft = 30.48 cm → 1 cm = 1/30.48 ft = ~0.03280839895 ft
1 ft = 12 in → 1 in = 1/12 ft = ~0.833333 ft
For example, if you want to convert 100 centimeters into feet and inches, then:
100 cm = 100 cm / 30.48 cm/ft = 3.280839 ft = 3 ft + (12 * 0.280839) in = 3 ft + 3.37 in = 3ft 3.37in = 3'3.37"
If you want to convert 5 feet and 7 inches into centimeters, you can write:
5'7" = 5 * 30.48 cm + 7 * 2.54 cm = 152.4 cm + 17.78 cm = 170.18 cm
Centimeters to Feet and Inches and Feet and Inches to Centimeters Conversion Tables
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If You wish to convert values that are not in the table, please use the conversion calculators.
A Brief History of Centimeters, Inches, and Feet
The story of measurement is as old as civilization itself, with every culture developing its own systems to make sense of the world through dimensions.
Among these, the centimeter, inch, and foot have traversed a fascinating journey through time, embodying the essence of human endeavor to standardize and communicate measurements.
Origins and Evolution
The Centimeter: The centimeter is a unit of length in the metric system, which is based on the meter.
The meter was first defined in 1791 by the French Academy of Sciences as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian through Paris.
This definition was an attempt to create a universal measurement system based on natural phenomena. The centimeter, being one-hundredth of a meter, was derived as a more convenient unit for everyday measurements.
The metric system, and with it the centimeter, gained widespread adoption following its declaration as the standard system of measurement by the Convention of the Meter in 1875.
The Inch: The origin of the inch can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who defined the "uncia" as one-twelfth of a Roman foot. The term "inch" and its concept as a unit of measurement spread through the Roman conquests across Europe.
Over centuries, the inch took on slightly varied lengths in different regions. It was only in the 19th century that the inch was standardized based on the imperial system of measurements.
The Foot: The foot, much like the inch, has ancient roots and has been used by several cultures with varying lengths. Historically, it was based on the human foot's length, but its size varied significantly from place to place.
The most commonly used foot today is the international foot, defined in 1959 by an agreement among the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia as exactly 0.3048 meters.
Comparison and Relation
The relationship between these units of length is pivotal for understanding and converting measurements across different systems. One inch is officially defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, establishing a direct link between the imperial and metric systems. This precise conversion facilitates global trade, scientific research, and technical collaboration. Meanwhile, the foot, consisting of 12 inches, translates to approximately 30.48 centimeters, further integrating the metric and imperial systems.
Standardization and Global Adoption
The journey towards the standardization of these units is a testament to humanity's quest for uniformity and precision. The establishment of the International System of Units (SI) in the mid-20th century marked a significant milestone in this quest, with the meter (and thus the centimeter) being a foundational unit of this system.
The definition of the meter itself has evolved, from the physical artifact of the meter bar to its current definition based on the speed of light in a vacuum, showcasing the influence of scientific advancements on measurement standards.
The inch and the foot, while primarily used in the United States and a few other countries, have been officially defined in metric terms to facilitate international compatibility. This acknowledgment within the imperial system underscores the global movement towards a unified measurement system for the sake of coherence, efficiency, and accuracy.