Height Converter

Convert height between centimetres, metres, decimal inches, and a feet-and-inches composite — ideal for body measurements, medical records, and international comparisons.

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Height

Convert height between metric and imperial units

Enter a height in centimetres, metres, inches, or feet and inches. All equivalent values are shown at once, including the feet-and-inches composite used for body measurements.

Centimetres

170 cm

Metres

1.7 m

Inches

66.93 in

Feet & Inches

5 ft 6.93 in

Quick reference

  • 1 inch = 2.54 cm
  • 1 foot = 30.48 cm (12 inches)
  • 5 ft = 152.4 cm
  • 5 ft 10 in = 177.8 cm
  • 6 ft = 182.88 cm
  • 180 cm = 5 ft 10.87 in

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Height

Height conversion: centimetres, metres, inches, and feet and inches explained

A height converter translates a single measurement into all common height units simultaneously — centimetres, metres, decimal inches, and the feet-and-inches composite used across the US and UK for body measurements. This height conversion tool is useful whenever a form, medical record, or travel document asks for a height in a unit that is different from what you know.

Why height uses different units in different contexts

Most countries use centimetres for official height records, from driving licences to passport applications. The US, and informally the UK, still use feet and inches for everyday conversation about body height. Medical and scientific contexts often prefer metres or decimal metres. A height converter bridges all three systems so you do not need to remember how many inches are in a foot or how many centimetres are in an inch.

The fundamental conversion is exact: one inch equals 2.54 centimetres by international definition (adopted 1959). That means one foot (12 inches) equals 30.48 cm, and one metre equals exactly 100 cm or approximately 39.3701 inches.

How the feet-and-inches composite works

Heights like "5 ft 10 in" are composite values rather than decimal numbers. To convert to centimetres, convert each component: 5 ft × 30.48 cm/ft = 152.4 cm, plus 10 in × 2.54 cm/in = 25.4 cm, giving 177.8 cm total. The reverse is slightly more involved: divide the total centimetres by 30.48 to get decimal feet, then take the integer part as the whole feet and multiply the remainder by 12 to get the inches.

This tool handles both directions. You can enter a total in centimetres, metres, or decimal inches and it will show the feet-and-inches composite. Or you can enter feet and inches separately and see the metric equivalents.

Common height reference points

Global average adult height is roughly 170–171 cm for men and 158–159 cm for women, though this varies considerably by country. Common reference heights: 5 ft = 152.4 cm; 5 ft 7 in = 170.18 cm; 5 ft 10 in = 177.8 cm; 6 ft = 182.88 cm; 6 ft 2 in = 187.96 cm.

For BMI and health calculations, height in metres is the standard input — weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Converting a height in feet and inches to metres first is the most reliable way to ensure accurate BMI results.

Using this converter for forms, medical records, and travel

Passport and visa forms typically request height in centimetres or in feet and inches depending on the issuing country. Travel to the US means encountering height in feet and inches; travel documentation in Europe uses centimetres. This converter covers both so you can fill in either format without manual arithmetic.

If you need your height for a BMI or body weight calculator, use the centimetre or metre output. If you need it for a US or UK form that asks for feet and inches, use the composite output. The values are derived from the same single input, so entering your height once gives you every format you might need.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert 5 ft 10 in to centimetres?

Multiply the feet by 30.48 and the inches by 2.54, then add: (5 × 30.48) + (10 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 25.4 = 177.8 cm. Alternatively, convert the whole height to inches first (5 × 12 + 10 = 70 in) and multiply by 2.54.

 What is 180 cm in feet and inches?

180 cm ÷ 2.54 = 70.866 inches total. Dividing by 12 gives 5.905 feet, so the whole feet part is 5. The remaining 0.905 ft × 12 = 10.87 in, giving 5 ft 10.87 in (approximately 5 ft 11 in).

 Is there a difference between height in the UK and the US?

Both countries use feet and inches for informal height references and both use the same imperial inch (2.54 cm exactly). Officially, UK passports request height in either feet and inches or metres/centimetres; US passports use feet and inches only. The underlying conversion factors are identical.

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