A fast and private cm to feet converter
Whether you are filling out a medical form, buying clothes online, or simply curious about your height in a different measurement system, this cm to feet converter provides instant, accurate results. By typing a number into any field, you can seamlessly translate metric measurements into the imperial system and back again.
Because the tool runs entirely in your web browser, your inputs are never uploaded or stored on any server. You can safely use it for personal data without worrying about privacy. The calculator updates in real-time as you type, meaning there are no buttons to click or pages to reload.
How to convert cm to feet and inches
Converting between the metric and imperial systems requires a couple of steps, because the imperial system uses two units (feet and inches) to express a single length. The exact conversion factors are:
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
- 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 centimeters
To convert centimeters to feet and inches manually:
- Divide your centimeter value by 2.54 to get the total number of inches.
- Divide that total by 12 to find the whole number of feet.
- Take the remainder from that division—that is your leftover inches.
For example, to convert 180 cm:
- 180 ÷ 2.54 = 70.866 total inches.
- 70.866 ÷ 12 = 5.905 feet. The whole number is 5 feet.
- 5 feet × 12 = 60 inches.
- 70.866 - 60 = 10.866 inches.
- So, 180 cm is approximately 5 feet and 10.9 inches.
If you only need to convert to a single unit, you can use our dedicated Cm to Inches or Feet to Meters converters.
Common conversions: 170 cm in feet and more
When traveling or communicating internationally, you will frequently encounter the need to translate your height. The metric system is used almost everywhere in the world, but the United States, Canada, and the UK still rely heavily on feet and inches for human height.
Here are a few common benchmarks you might encounter:
- 150 cm is roughly 4 feet and 11.1 inches.
- 160 cm is roughly 5 feet and 3.0 inches.
- 170 cm in feet is approximately 5 feet and 6.9 inches, which is close to the global average height for adults.
- 180 cm is roughly 5 feet and 10.9 inches.
- 190 cm is roughly 6 feet and 2.8 inches.
To make quick lookups easier, this tool includes a handy reference table at the bottom of the page, showing conversions for common heights in 5-centimeter increments.
Understanding the different measurement formats
When you use this height converter, it doesn't just give you one answer. It breaks down the result into three distinct formats to cover any situation you might encounter:
Feet & Inches (e.g., 5′ 7″)
This is the standard way to express a person's height in feet in everyday conversation, on driver's licenses, and on dating profiles. The tool automatically handles the math to ensure inches never exceed 11.9. If a calculation results in 12 inches, it carries over, adding 1 to the feet and resetting the inches to 0.
Decimal Feet (e.g., 5.58 ft)
Sometimes, engineering or construction plans require a single unit rather than a mix of feet and inches. Decimal feet represent the entire length as a fraction of a foot. Note that 5.5 feet is not 5 feet 5 inches; it is 5 and a half feet, which equals 5 feet 6 inches.
Total Inches (e.g., 66.9 in)
Certain applications, like measuring the inseam of pants, specifying the size of a bicycle frame, or calculating body mass index (BMI) in imperial units, require the total length in inches. If you need to convert this back to feet later, you can use our Inches to Feet tool.
Practical uses for a height converter
Travel and immigration documents. Many visa applications, passport forms, and international driver's licenses require you to state your height. Depending on the country issuing the document, you may need to convert your metric height to imperial, or calculate feet and inches to cm.
Fitness and health tracking. Health apps, medical intake forms, and fitness calculators often ask for your height to calculate metrics like BMI or basal metabolic rate (BMR). Having an accurate conversion ensures your health data is calculated correctly.
Online shopping. Buying clothing from international retailers can be tricky. A brand based in the US or UK will often list dress lengths, inseams, and model heights in feet and inches, while European and Asian brands use centimeters. Translating these measurements helps you choose the right fit and avoid returns.