How to Convert CM to Inches

To convert centimetres to inches, divide by 2.54. This guide shows why, works through examples and explains how to get feet and inches.

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How to use the How to Convert CM to Inches

Take the measurement in centimetres.
Divide it by 2.54.
For heights, divide the inches by 12 to get feet and inches.

How it works

One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm, so inches = cm ÷ 2.54 and cm = inches × 2.54.

Method 1: divide by 2.54

This is the exact method. Because an inch is exactly 2.54 cm, the number of inches is the centimetres divided by 2.54.

8 cm to inches

inches = 8 ÷ 2.54
inches = 3.1496
Nearest 1/16″: 3 1/8″

60 cm to inches

inches = 60 ÷ 2.54
inches = 23.622
In feet and inches: 1 ft 11.6 in

183 cm to inches

inches = 183 ÷ 2.54
inches = 72.0472
In feet and inches: 6 ft 0 in

Method 2: multiply by 0.3937

One centimetre is 0.393701 inches, so multiplying by 0.3937 gives the same result to four significant figures. 60 cm × 0.3937 = 23.62″. Use whichever is easier on your calculator.

Converting to feet and inches

For heights and room sizes, finish by splitting the inches into feet. 183 cm ÷ 2.54 = 72.05″; 72 ÷ 12 = 6 feet with 0.05″ left over, so 183 cm ≈ 6 ft 0 in. For 165 cm: 64.96″ = 5 ft 4.96 in, which rounds to 5 ft 5 in.

Estimating without a calculator

Multiply by 4 and divide by 10: 45 cm → 180 ÷ 10 = 18″ (exact: 17.72″). Or halve twice and add a bit: 1 inch is “two and a half centimetres”. The estimate is about 1.6% high, which is close enough for shopping but not for anything that has to fit.

Checking your answer

Multiply your inches by 2.54 — you should get the centimetres you started with. A quick sense check also helps: the inch value should be roughly 40% of the centimetre value. If it is bigger than the number of centimetres, you multiplied instead of dividing.

Practice questions

Convert to inches
#	Centimetres	Answer
1	5 cm	Show 1.97″ (≈ 1 15/16″)
2	12 cm	Show 4.72″ (≈ 4 3/4″)
3	28 cm	Show 11.02″ (≈ 11″)
4	64 cm	Show 25.2″ (2 ft 1.2 in)
5	152 cm	Show 59.84″ (4 ft 11.8 in)
6	200 cm	Show 78.74″ (6 ft 6.7 in)

Where you will need it

Centimetres are used for almost everything in most of the world — clothing labels, furniture, luggage limits, a child’s height — while the US uses inches for the same things. Online shopping across borders, travel and school science all mean converting between the two. Remember the one exact fact, 1 inch = 2.54 cm, and every conversion follows from it. For the reverse direction, use the inches to cm converter.