Cm to Feet and Inches: The Complete Conversion Guide
The exact formula, a worked example, and a quick-reference table — convert any height from centimeters to feet and inches in seconds.
To convert cm to feet and inches: divide the centimeters by 30.48 to get feet, then multiply the decimal part by 12 to get the remaining inches. Example: 175 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.741 ft, and 0.741 × 12 = 8.9 in — so 175 cm = 5'8.9", usually rounded to 5'9".
Centimeters are the world standard, but feet and inches still rule in the US and UK — on dating profiles, medical forms, and sports stats. Knowing the conversion by heart saves you from fumbling with a calculator every time.
Below: the two exact formulas, a step-by-step worked example, and a full reference table from 150 to 200 cm.
The formula
You need two facts: 1 foot = 30.48 cm and 1 inch = 2.54 cm (both exact by international definition). From there, the conversion is two steps:
- • Step 1 — feet: divide centimeters by 30.48. The whole number is your feet.
- • Step 2 — inches: take the decimal remainder and multiply by 12. That is your inches.
Worked example: 175 cm
Divide by 30.48
175 ÷ 30.48 = 5.741. The whole number gives you 5 feet.
Multiply the remainder by 12
0.741 × 12 = 8.9. That is your inches.
Read the result
175 cm = 5'8.9" — in everyday speech, 5'9".
Quick-reference table (150–200 cm)
The most common heights, already converted — no math needed:
| Centimeters | Feet and inches | Said as |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4'11.1" | 4'11" |
| 155 cm | 5'1.0" | 5'1" |
| 160 cm | 5'3.0" | 5'3" |
| 165 cm | 5'5.0" | 5'5" |
| 170 cm | 5'7.0" | 5'7" |
| 175 cm | 5'8.9" | 5'9" |
| 180 cm | 5'10.9" | 5'11" |
| 185 cm | 6'0.8" | 6'1" |
| 190 cm | 6'2.8" | 6'3" |
| 195 cm | 6'4.8" | 6'5" |
| 200 cm | 6'6.7" | 6'7" |
Exact conversions shown to one decimal; "said as" is the rounded everyday form.
Going the other way: feet and inches to cm
To convert back, multiply feet by 30.48 and inches by 2.54, then add. Example: 5'9" = (5 × 30.48) + (9 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 22.86 = 175.26 cm ≈ 175 cm.
Doing this often? Skip the mental math — our converter does it instantly in both directions:
Frequently asked questions
How many cm are in a foot?
Exactly 30.48 cm. The foot was fixed at this value by international agreement in 1959.
How many cm are in an inch?
Exactly 2.54 cm. That is why dividing centimeters by 2.54 gives you total inches.
What is 175 cm in feet and inches?
175 cm = 5'8.9", which is rounded to 5'9" in everyday speech.
Why do Americans still use feet and inches?
The US kept the imperial/customary system out of tradition and the cost of switching — road signs, construction, and daily habits all run on feet and inches. Most of the world, and all of science, uses the metric system instead.