Inches to Centimeters Converter

Formula

centimeters = inches × 2.54

Reverse conversion:

inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54

Formula variables

• inches — length in international inches (in).
• centimeters — equivalent length in centimeters (cm).
• 2.54 — the exact number of centimeters per international inch, fixed by the 1959 international yard and pound agreement.

Worked Examples

Example 1: 1 inch to centimeters

1. Start: 1 in.
2. Multiply: 1 × 2.54 = 2.54.
3. Result: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly.

Example 2: 10 inches to centimeters

1. Start: 10 in.
2. Multiply: 10 × 2.54 = 25.4.
3. Result: 10 inches = 25.4 centimeters. A standard dinner plate is about 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter.

Example 3: 5 feet 10 inches to centimeters

1. Convert feet to inches: 5 × 12 = 60 in.
2. Add the remaining inches: 60 + 10 = 70 in total.
3. Multiply: 70 × 2.54 = 177.8.
4. Result: 5 feet 10 inches = 177.8 centimeters. This is a common adult male height in the US.

Example 4: 55-inch TV to centimeters

1. Start: 55 in (diagonal screen measurement).
2. Multiply: 55 × 2.54 = 139.7.
3. Result: 55-inch TV = 139.7 centimeters diagonal. The screen's actual width and height depend on the aspect ratio (typically 16:9).

Common Conversion Table

Height Reference (Feet & Inches to cm)

Screen Size Reference (Diagonal Inches to cm)

Real-World Uses

• Height measurement: Converting US height (feet and inches) to metric (centimeters) for medical records, sports, and international documentation.
• Screen sizes: TV, monitor, laptop, and phone screens are measured diagonally in inches in the US, but quoted in centimeters in most other countries.
• Clothing and tailoring: Body measurements and garment dimensions frequently need conversion between inches and centimeters.
• Construction and DIY: Lumber, hardware, and plumbing parts are sold in inches in the US and millimeters or centimeters elsewhere.
• Paper sizes: Paper sizes like Letter (8.5 × 11 in) and A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) are often referenced in both systems.

Unit Definitions

Inch (in)

The international inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. This definition was fixed by the 1959 international yard and pound agreement, which aligned the inch across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. One foot equals exactly 12 inches.

Centimeter (cm)

A decimal submultiple of the meter, equal to exactly 0.01 meters. The meter is defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second (BIPM SI Brochure, 9th edition).

Accuracy and Rounding

Because 1 in = 2.54 cm exactly, the conversion is exact for any inch value expressible as a finite decimal. The displayed precision scales with input magnitude; small inputs show more decimal places than large inputs to preserve significant figures.

Related Converters

• Centimeters to Inches — the reverse conversion
• Feet to Meters
• Meters to Feet
• Millimeters to Inches
• All Length Converters

Frequently Asked Questions