How many inches is 1 cm?

One centimetre equals approximately 0.3937 inches. Put another way, 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly. So to convert cm to inches, divide by 2.54. For example, 10 cm = 10 / 2.54 = 3.937 inches.

How do I convert cm to inches for screen sizes?

Screen sizes (TVs, monitors, phones) are measured diagonally in inches. If you have a measurement in centimetres, divide by 2.54 to get inches. For example, a screen measuring 140 cm diagonally is 140 / 2.54 = 55.1 inches, which would be marketed as a 55-inch TV.

What is 170 cm in feet and inches?

170 cm equals 66.93 inches, which is 5 feet 6.93 inches (approximately 5 foot 7). This is close to the average height for a UK adult woman and a very common conversion for height.

Centimetres to Inches Converter

Convert centimetres to inches and inches to centimetres

Published by UltraCalculatorsLast reviewed: 1 Apr 2026v1.0Report an issue

Centimetres and inches are two of the most commonly used small-length measurements, and converting between them is something millions of people do regularly. In the UK, product specifications from European manufacturers use centimetres, while many domestic standards and older references use inches. Screen sizes, waist measurements, picture frames, and countless other everyday items straddle both systems. The relationship is precise: one inch equals exactly 2.54 centimetres. This definition was established by the international yard and pound agreement of 1959, making the conversion exact rather than approximate. To go from centimetres to inches, you divide by 2.54. To go from inches to centimetres, you multiply by 2.54. This converter handles both directions instantly and also shows the result in feet and inches (useful for height conversions) and in millimetres (useful for more precise measurements). Whether you are checking clothing sizes from a European brand, measuring furniture for a space quoted in inches, or converting your height, this tool provides the answer immediately.

How to Use This Calculator

To use the centimetres to inches converter: 1. Select the conversion direction. Choose "Centimetres to Inches" if you have a cm measurement. Choose "Inches to Centimetres" for the reverse. 2. For cm to inches: Enter the centimetre value. The converter shows the result in decimal inches, plus the equivalent in feet and inches, and in millimetres. 3. For inches to cm: Enter the inch value. The converter shows the centimetre result with the same additional formats. 4. Results are shown to four decimal places for precision, updating instantly as you type.

How It Works

The conversion uses the exact international definition: 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Centimetres to Inches: Inches = cm / 2.54 Feet and inches: divide total inches by 12 for feet, remainder is inches Example: 180 cm = 180 / 2.54 = 70.87 inches = 5 ft 10.87 in Inches to Centimetres: cm = inches x 2.54 Millimetres = cm x 10 Example: 32 inches = 32 x 2.54 = 81.28 cm = 812.8 mm These are exact conversions, not approximations. The 2.54 factor is a defined constant, not a measured value.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Checking if European furniture fits a UK space

Inputs: Centimetres: 120. Direction: cm to inches.

Inches = 120 / 2.54 = 47.24 inches.
Feet and inches = 3 ft 11.24 in.
Millimetres = 120 x 10 = 1,200 mm.

Result: 120 cm equals 47.24 inches (just under 4 feet). A 120 cm desk would fit a 4-foot alcove.

Example 2: Finding jeans size from cm waist measurement

Inputs: Centimetres: 81. Direction: cm to inches.

Inches = 81 / 2.54 = 31.89 inches.
Round to nearest whole inch for trouser size: 32 inches.

Result: An 81 cm waist converts to approximately 32 inches, a common UK trouser size.

Example 3: Converting a 55-inch TV to centimetres

Inputs: Inches: 55. Direction: inches to cm.

Centimetres = 55 x 2.54 = 139.7 cm.
Millimetres = 139.7 x 10 = 1,397 mm.

Result: A 55-inch TV has a diagonal of 139.7 cm (nearly 1.4 metres).

Common reference conversions: 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 6 inches = 15.24 cm, 12 inches (1 foot) = 30.48 cm, 24 inches = 60.96 cm, 36 inches (1 yard) = 91.44 cm. For UK clothing, a size 10 typically corresponds to a 28-inch (71 cm) waist. TV sizes: 32 inches = 81.3 cm, 43 inches = 109.2 cm, 55 inches = 139.7 cm, 65 inches = 165.1 cm.