Inches to CM Converter
Multiply a length in inches by 2.54 to get centimeters. 10 in = 25.4 cm, so ten inches is just over a quarter of a meter.
Because the factor is exact and has only two decimal places, a whole number of inches always converts to a result with at most two decimals.
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(opens in a new tab)How to convert inches to centimeters
Formula: centimeters = inches × 2.54
The constant is exact by definition: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. It is not a rounded approximation.
A foot is 12 inches and a yard is 36 inches, so 12 in = 30.48 cm and 36 in = 91.44 cm. Since 1959 the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, so these are definitions rather than approximations.
Worked example: 36 in to centimeters
This result is complete, not rounded.
Convert 36 in
Input
36 in
Output
36 × 2.54 = 91.44 cm
Common inches to centimeters conversions
| Inches (in) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm |
| 10 in | 25.4 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 48 in | 121.92 cm |
| 72 in | 182.88 cm |
When you need to convert inches to centimeters
- Height: 5 ft 9 in is 69 inches, and 69 in = 175.26 cm.
- Picture frames, prints and paper sizes quoted in inches.
- Shipping boxes and luggage measured in inches when a carrier asks for centimeters.
- Screws, pipes and tools sold in inch sizes, compared with metric parts.
Things worth knowing
- Many sizes quoted in inches are nominal, not measured. A monitor's size is its diagonal, and a lumber board sold as 2 by 4 inches is smaller than that once it is dried and planed.
Converting back and related converters
To go the other way, use the CM to Inches Converter, which applies inches = centimeters / 2.54. For any other pair of units, open the Unit Converter, or browse every unit converter.
- Feet to Meters Converter: for heights and rooms measured in feet.
- MM to Inches Converter: for very small parts measured in millimeters.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm are in 1 inch?
Exactly 2.54 centimeters. That is the international definition of the inch, not a rounded figure.
How many cm is 12 inches?
12 in = 30.48 cm. Twelve inches make one foot.
How do I convert inches to cm by hand?
Multiply by 2.54. For 36 inches, 36 × 2.54 gives 91.44 cm. Using 2.5 instead is a rough shortcut that makes the answer about 1.6 percent too low.
Can I enter feet and inches together?
Not in one box. Convert the feet to inches first by multiplying by 12, add the remaining inches, then enter the total here. The Feet to Meters Converter converts feet straight to meters.