How to convert height
inches = cm ÷ 2.54 · feet = inches ÷ 12 (whole number), remaining inches = the rest
One inch is exactly 2.54 cm, by the international yard and pound agreement of 1959, so these conversions are exact until you round the answer.
Worked example: 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.90 inches. 68.90 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 8.90 inches left over, so 175 cm is 5 ft 8.9 in, or about 5 ft 8 7/8 in.
The other way: 5 ft 10 in = (5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches. 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm.
Height chart: feet and inches to cm
| Feet and inches | Inches | Centimeters | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 10 in | 58 in | 147.3 cm | 1.47 m |
| 4 ft 11 in | 59 in | 149.9 cm | 1.50 m |
| 5 ft 0 in | 60 in | 152.4 cm | 1.52 m |
| 5 ft 1 in | 61 in | 154.9 cm | 1.55 m |
| 5 ft 2 in | 62 in | 157.5 cm | 1.57 m |
| 5 ft 3 in | 63 in | 160.0 cm | 1.60 m |
| 5 ft 4 in | 64 in | 162.6 cm | 1.63 m |
| 5 ft 5 in | 65 in | 165.1 cm | 1.65 m |
| 5 ft 6 in | 66 in | 167.6 cm | 1.68 m |
| 5 ft 7 in | 67 in | 170.2 cm | 1.70 m |
| 5 ft 8 in | 68 in | 172.7 cm | 1.73 m |
| 5 ft 9 in | 69 in | 175.3 cm | 1.75 m |
| 5 ft 10 in | 70 in | 177.8 cm | 1.78 m |
| 5 ft 11 in | 71 in | 180.3 cm | 1.80 m |
| 6 ft 0 in | 72 in | 182.9 cm | 1.83 m |
| 6 ft 1 in | 73 in | 185.4 cm | 1.85 m |
| 6 ft 2 in | 74 in | 188.0 cm | 1.88 m |
| 6 ft 3 in | 75 in | 190.5 cm | 1.91 m |
| 6 ft 4 in | 76 in | 193.0 cm | 1.93 m |
| 6 ft 5 in | 77 in | 195.6 cm | 1.96 m |
| 6 ft 6 in | 78 in | 198.1 cm | 1.98 m |
Who uses which unit
In the US, heights are almost always given in feet and inches. The UK and Canada use both: feet and inches in everyday speech, centimeters on medical records and official forms. The Netherlands uses centimeters. Passports and driving licences may use either, depending on the country.
Pro-tip: when a form asks for height in cm, convert from your exact inches rather than rounding first. Rounding 5 ft 8 7/8 in to 5 ft 9 in adds about 0.3 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cm to feet and inches?
Divide by 2.54 to get inches, then divide by 12. The whole number is feet and the remainder is inches. 175 cm = 68.9 in = 5 ft 8.9 in.
How tall is 170 cm in feet?
170 cm is about 5 ft 6.9 in, or roughly 5 ft 7 in.
How many cm is 5 ft 10 in?
5 ft 10 in is 70 inches, and 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm.
How many cm are in a foot?
Exactly 30.48 cm, because a foot is 12 inches and each inch is 2.54 cm.