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Inches to Centimeters Converter

Convert inches to centimeters and back. 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly.

Length converter
Type an amount. Use the tabs to switch direction.
in
Result: Centimeters
30.48centimeters
1 in = 2.54 cm
Also equals
0.3048 m
Meters
1 ft
Foot
0.33333333 yd
Yards
Learn how we calculate this below

Tip: Results show up to 8 significant digits. The factors and their sources are listed on the "Where our numbers come from" page.

Updated

On this page
  1. Inches and Centimeters
  2. Quick conversion table
  3. Exact factor and source
  4. How to convert inches to centimeters
  5. All length units compared
  6. What is an inch?
  7. What is a centimeter?
  8. What this converter does not do
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. References
  11. Related converters

Inches and Centimeters

One inch is exactly 2.54 centimeters, and one centimeter is about 0.393700787402 inches. The converter works both ways: use the two tabs at the top of the tool to choose the direction.

Quick conversion table

Inches to Centimeters

InchesCentimeters
0.25 in0.635 cm
0.5 in1.27 cm
1 in2.54 cm
2 in5.08 cm
3 in7.62 cm
6 in15.24 cm
12 in30.48 cm
24 in60.96 cm
36 in91.44 cm
60 in152.4 cm
72 in182.88 cm
100 in254 cm

Centimeters to Inches

CentimetersInches
1 cm0.39370079 in
2 cm0.78740157 in
5 cm1.9685039 in
10 cm3.9370079 in
15 cm5.9055118 in
20 cm7.8740157 in
30 cm11.811024 in
50 cm19.685039 in
60 cm23.622047 in
100 cm39.370079 in
150 cm59.055118 in
180 cm70.866142 in

Exact factor and source

ConversionValueBasis
1 inch in centimeters2.54exact. NIST SP 811 (2008), Appendix B.8: 1 in = 0.0254 m, exact by the 1959 international yard and pound agreement
1 centimeter in inches0.393700787402rounded to 12 digits. SI Brochure, 9th edition (BIPM 2019): SI prefix centi = 10^-2

How to convert inches to centimeters

  1. Step oneTake the number of inches.
  2. Step twoMultiply it by 2.54.
  3. Step threeThe result is the number of centimeters.
  4. Step fourTo go back, divide by 2.54, or multiply by 0.393700787402.
cm = in x 2.54

Example: 12 in x 2.54 = 30.48 cm.

All length units compared

Each unit written in meters, the base unit of this tool. Exact values come straight from the definitions.

UnitSymbolValue in meters
Millimetersmm0.001 meters
Centimeterscm0.01 meters
Metersm1 meter
Kilometerskm1,000 meters
Inchesin0.0254 meters
Feetft0.3048 meters
Yardsyd0.9144 meters
Milesmi1,609.344 meters

What is an inch?

The inch (in) is a US customary unit of length, exactly 2.54 centimeters by international agreement. 12 inches make a foot.

What is a centimeter?

The centimeter (cm) is one hundredth of a meter, and 10 millimeters make one. It is the everyday metric unit for height, clothing sizes and furniture.

What this converter does not do

  • Results are rounded for display to 8 significant digits; the stored factor is the exact one.
  • It uses the international foot (exactly 0.3048 m), not the older US survey foot.
  • It converts lengths only; it does not convert between a length and a time, a pace or an area.

Frequently asked questions

How many centimeters are in an inch?

1 inch is exactly 2.54 centimeters. That factor is exact by definition.

How many inches are in a centimeter?

1 centimeter is about 0.393700787402 inches.

How many centimeters is 70 inches?

70 inches is 177.8 centimeters, or 5.8333333 feet.

Where do the factors come from?

Inches: NIST SP 811 (2008), Appendix B.8: 1 in = 0.0254 m, exact by the 1959 international yard and pound agreement. Centimeters: SI Brochure, 9th edition (BIPM 2019): SI prefix centi = 10^-2.

References