Unit Conversion
Length Converter â Convert Meters, Inches, Feet, Yards & More
Use our free Length Converter to instantly convert between meters, centimeters, feet, inches, yards, and miles. Fast, accurate, and perfect for everyday use or professional calculations.
About Length & Distance Conversion
Length conversion is the process of changing a measurement from one unit to another. The two main systems are Metric (millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers) used worldwide, and Imperial (inches, feet, yards, miles) used primarily in the US and UK.
The base conversion factor is 1 inch = 2.54 cm (exact). All metric-to-imperial conversions derive from this. Whether you're measuring room dimensions, calculating travel distances, or converting recipe measurements â this tool handles it instantly.
How to Use This Converter
- Enter a value and select the source unit
- Select the target unit you want to convert to
- Click Convert to see the result
- Use Swap to reverse the conversion direction
Common Use Cases
- Room & furniture dimensions
- Travel distance planning
- Construction measurements
- Height conversion (ft â cm)
- Fabric & sewing lengths
- Science & engineering
Quick Conversion Reference
| From | To | Multiply By | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | Centimeters | 2.54 | 12 in = 30.48 cm |
| Feet | Meters | 0.3048 | 6 ft = 1.8288 m |
| Yards | Meters | 0.9144 | 100 yd = 91.44 m |
| Miles | Kilometers | 1.60934 | 5 mi = 8.047 km |
| Centimeters | Inches | 0.3937 | 30 cm = 11.811 in |
| Meters | Feet | 3.2808 | 10 m = 32.808 ft |
| Kilometers | Miles | 0.6214 | 10 km = 6.214 mi |
Metric vs. Imperial System
| Feature | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Base unit | Meter (m) | Foot (ft) |
| Scaling | Powers of 10 (mm, cm, m, km) | Irregular (12 in = 1 ft, 3 ft = 1 yd) |
| Used in | Most countries worldwide | USA, UK (partially), Liberia, Myanmar |
| Science | Standard in all scientific fields | Rarely used in science |
| Advantage | Easy decimal conversions | Familiar for everyday US/UK use |
Common Length References
| Object / Distance | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card width | 8.56 cm | 3.37 in |
| Standard door height | 2.03 m | 6 ft 8 in |
| Football field | 91.44 m | 100 yd |
| Marathon | 42.195 km | 26.219 mi |
| Average human height | 170 cm | 5 ft 7 in |
FAQ â Length Converter
What is a Length Converter?
A Length Converter helps you convert between different units of distance and measurement such as meters, kilometers, miles, inches, and feet. It's ideal for everyday use, education, construction, and engineering tasks.
How many centimeters are in an inch?
There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in one inch. This is the fundamental conversion factor between metric and imperial length units. All other conversions (feet to meters, miles to kilometers) derive from this relationship.
How do I convert feet to meters?
Multiply the number of feet by 0.3048. For example, 6 feet = 6 Ã 0.3048 = 1.8288 meters. To convert meters to feet, multiply by 3.2808.
How many kilometers are in a mile?
One mile equals approximately 1.60934 kilometers. Conversely, one kilometer is about 0.6214 miles. A quick estimate: multiply miles by 1.6 to get kilometers.
What is the difference between metric and imperial?
The metric system uses base-10 units (mm, cm, m, km) making conversions simple. The imperial system uses irregular ratios (12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard, 5280 feet = 1 mile). Most countries use metric; the US primarily uses imperial.
What is a nautical mile?
A nautical mile equals 1,852 meters (about 1.151 regular miles). It's used in maritime and aviation navigation because it corresponds to one minute of latitude on Earth's surface.
How do I convert height from feet/inches to centimeters?
Convert feet to inches (multiply by 12), add the remaining inches, then multiply total inches by 2.54. Example: 5'10" = (5Ã12 + 10) = 70 inches à 2.54 = 177.8 cm.
Which units does this converter support?
This converter supports 10 units: millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, inches, feet, yards, miles, nautical miles, and micrometers. It covers both metric and imperial systems.
How accurate are the conversions?
The conversions use exact or internationally accepted conversion factors. Results are displayed with up to 6 significant digits. The base factor (1 inch = 2.54 cm) is exact by international agreement since 1959.
Can I convert between metric and imperial units?
Yes. The converter allows easy conversion between any combination of metric and imperial units. Use the Swap button to quickly reverse the conversion direction.