Convert between meters, feet, inches, miles, and more
Length conversion allows you to switch between different units of measurement used around the world. The metric system (meters) is used internationally for science and in most countries, while the imperial system (feet, inches) remains common in the United States. Understanding conversions is essential for travel, trade, and technical work.
1 meter = 3.28084 feet = 39.3701 inches
| Calculation | Expression | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Meters to feet | 1 m | 3.281 ft |
| Inches to cm | 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| Miles to km | 1 mi | 1.609 km |
| Feet to meters | 6 ft | 1.829 m |
Use standard conversion factors: 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 foot = 30.48 cm = 0.3048 m, 1 mile = 1.609 km, 1 yard = 0.9144 m. Multiply to convert to the target unit. For reverse conversion, divide by the same factor.
The US inherited imperial units from Britain and never fully transitioned to metric. While metric is used in science, medicine, and military, everyday life uses imperial (miles, pounds, Fahrenheit). Most other countries use metric for both official and everyday purposes.
Common metric prefixes: kilo (k) = 1000, centi (c) = 0.01, milli (m) = 0.001, micro (μ) = 0.000001. So 1 kilometer = 1000 meters, 1 centimeter = 0.01 meters, 1 millimeter = 0.001 meters. Conversion just requires moving the decimal point.
First convert to total inches (feet × 12 + inches), then multiply by 2.54 for centimeters. For example, 5'10" = 70 inches × 2.54 = 177.8 cm. To reverse: divide cm by 2.54, then divide by 12 for feet with remainder in inches.
A nautical mile equals 1.852 km (1.15 statute miles) and represents one minute of latitude. It's used in maritime and aviation navigation because it relates directly to Earth's coordinates. Speed in nautical miles per hour is measured in knots.
Match precision to your original measurement. If you measured 10 feet with a tape measure (2 significant figures), reporting 3.048000 meters implies false precision. Round to 3.0 meters. For scientific work, maintain precision throughout calculations, then round at the end.