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CM to inches converter

Convert centimeters to inches (and back) with the exact 2.54 factor — instant results, a common-sizes table, and the height conversions people actually look up.

1 cm = 0.39370079 in

1 cm = 0.39370079 in · multiply by 0.39370079

Conversions run instantly on your device — nothing is sent anywhere.

Maintained by ToolsNexus

Convert centimeters to inches — and back — using the exact definition (1 in = 2.54 cm, fixed by international agreement in 1959). The converter loads with cm → in preselected; type a value and the result appears instantly, with the multiplier shown.

The formula

inches = cm ÷ 2.54 (equivalently, multiply by 0.3937008). Reverse: cm = inches × 2.54. Use the ⇄ Swap button to flip direction — the same exact factor works both ways.

Common values

cm inches cm inches
1 0.394 50 19.685
2.5 0.984 100 39.370
5 1.969 160 62.99 (5′3″)
10 3.937 170 66.93 (5′7″)
15 5.906 180 70.87 (5′11″)
30 11.811 200 78.74 (6′7″)

Where cm-to-inches shows up

Clothing and shoes: European size charts quote body measurements in cm; US charts use inches — a 96 cm chest is 37.8 in, right between a US M and L. Screens: diagonals are sold in inches even in metric countries (a 27″ monitor is 68.6 cm). Height: medical records in most of the world use cm, US forms want feet and inches — the FAQ above has the anchor points. For small measurements (jewelry, hardware, rainfall) you’ll often want the mm to inches converter instead — same definition, one decimal shift.

Private by design

The math runs on your device as you type — nothing is sent, stored, or logged. The full unit converter handles 46 units across six categories.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the exact formula for cm to inches?
Divide centimeters by 2.54: inches = cm ÷ 2.54. The factor is exact by definition — since 1959, one inch is precisely 2.54 cm — so 10 cm is exactly 3.93700787… inches, with the digits going on forever only because the division does not terminate, not because the factor is approximate.
How do I convert my height from cm to feet and inches?
Divide by 2.54 to get total inches, then split by 12: 170 cm ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 in = 5 ft 6.9 in. Common anchors: 160 cm ≈ 5′3″, 170 cm ≈ 5′7″, 175 cm ≈ 5′9″, 180 cm ≈ 5′11″, 183 cm ≈ 6′0″.
Is there a quick mental shortcut?
Multiply the centimeters by 4 and divide by 10 — that treats an inch as 2.5 cm and lands within 1.6% of the true answer: 50 cm → about 20 in (exactly 19.685). Good for shopping; use the converter when the number matters.
Are screen sizes measured in cm or inches?
Screen diagonals are quoted in inches worldwide — a 55″ TV is 139.7 cm across the diagonal, a 15.6″ laptop is 39.6 cm. If a spec sheet gives you the diagonal in cm, divide by 2.54 to compare with the advertised size.

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