The conversion
The inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm, which makes the whole conversion exact:
Divide centimetres by 2.54 for total inches, then split by 12: whole feet plus the leftover inches. Going the other way, turn feet and inches into total inches and multiply by 2.54.
Worked examples
Height chart
- 150 cm ≈ 4 ft 11 in
- 160 cm ≈ 5 ft 3 in
- 165 cm ≈ 5 ft 5 in
- 170 cm ≈ 5 ft 7 in
- 175 cm ≈ 5 ft 9 in
- 180 cm ≈ 5 ft 11 in
- 183 cm ≈ 6 ft 0 in
- 190 cm ≈ 6 ft 3 in
Two systems, one country
Height is one of the last places Britain runs both systems at once: passports and the NHS record centimetres, while nearly everyone answers "how tall are you?" in feet and inches. Dating profiles, sports programmes and driving licences disagree with each other constantly, which is why this is one of the most-reached-for conversions there is. If you are also juggling weight, our kg to stone converter is the same idea for the scales.
Frequently asked questions
How many centimetres are in a foot?
Exactly 30.48 cm. A foot is 12 inches and an inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm, so the conversion is precise rather than approximate.
What is 5 foot 10 in cm?
5 ft 10 in is 70 inches, and 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm. Going the other way, 180 cm is 5 ft 10.9 in, which usually gets called 5 foot 11.
How do I convert cm to feet and inches by hand?
Divide the centimetres by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12: the whole number is the feet and the remainder is the inches. For 175 cm: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 in = 5 ft 8.9 in.
Why does the UK use both systems for height?
Britain metricated officially but conversational habits stayed imperial: people describe themselves in feet and inches while the NHS, passports and gyms record centimetres. Most Britons under 50 know their height in both, or need this page to bridge them.
How is the inches figure rounded?
To one decimal place. If rounding pushes the inches to 12.0 the feet tick up instead, so you will never see an answer like 5 ft 12 in.