Inches to cm
One inch is 2.54 centimeters. Type a length in inches to see it in centimeters.
How to convert inches to centimeters
centimeters = inches × 2.54
For example, 12 in is 30.48 cm. The figure is exact. The inch has been defined as precisely 2.54 centimeters since 1959.
A quick way to do it in your head
Multiply the inches by 10, then divide by 4.
- 12 in: 120 ÷ 4 = 30 cm. The true answer is 30.48 cm.
- 32 in: 320 ÷ 4 = 80 cm. The true answer is 81.28 cm.
- 55 in: 550 ÷ 4 = 137.5 cm. The true answer is 139.7 cm.
This gives 2.5 cm per inch where the true figure is 2.54, so the result is always about 1.6% low. Add a couple of centimeters per metre if it matters.
Inches to centimeters table
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm |
| 4 in | 10.16 cm |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 7 in | 17.78 cm |
| 8 in | 20.32 cm |
| 9 in | 22.86 cm |
| 10 in | 25.4 cm |
| 11 in | 27.94 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| 15 in | 38.1 cm |
| 18 in | 45.72 cm |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 30 in | 76.2 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 40 in | 101.6 cm |
| 48 in | 121.92 cm |
| 50 in | 127 cm |
| 60 in | 152.4 cm |
| 72 in | 182.88 cm |
| 100 in | 254 cm |
Sizes you are likely to meet
| What | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| US Letter paper | 8.5 × 11 in | 21.59 × 27.94 cm |
| A 12 inch ruler, one foot | 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| A large phone screen, diagonal | 6.7 in | 17.02 cm |
| A laptop screen, diagonal | 15.6 in | 39.62 cm |
| A 32 inch waist | 32 in | 81.28 cm |
Fractions of an inch, and screen sizes
Tools, screws and timber are sold in fractions of an inch. In metric work these are given in millimeters.
| Fraction | Decimal inches | Millimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 1/16 in | 0.0625 in | 1.59 mm |
| 1/8 in | 0.125 in | 3.17 mm |
| 3/16 in | 0.1875 in | 4.76 mm |
| 1/4 in | 0.25 in | 6.35 mm |
| 3/8 in | 0.375 in | 9.52 mm |
| 1/2 in | 0.5 in | 12.7 mm |
| 5/8 in | 0.625 in | 15.88 mm |
| 3/4 in | 0.75 in | 19.05 mm |
| 7/8 in | 0.875 in | 22.22 mm |
Screen sizes are measured corner to corner, not across. A 55 inch television has a diagonal of 139.7 cm, and on the usual 16:9 shape it is about 122 cm wide and 68 cm tall.
| Screen size | Diagonal in cm |
|---|---|
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 27 in | 68.58 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm |
| 43 in | 109.22 cm |
| 50 in | 127 cm |
| 55 in | 139.7 cm |
| 65 in | 165.1 cm |
| 75 in | 190.5 cm |
| 85 in | 215.9 cm |
To go the other way, use cm to inches. For other units, see the unit converter.
Questions
How many centimeters is 1 inch?
2.54 cm.
How many centimeters is 5 in?
12.7 cm.
How many centimeters is 10 in?
25.4 cm.
How many centimeters is 12 in?
30.48 cm.
How many centimeters is 36 in?
91.44 cm.
How many inches are in a foot?
Twelve. One foot is 30.48 cm.
What does the symbol ″ mean?
A double prime, ″, is the symbol for inches, and a single prime, ′, is the symbol for feet. 5′ 9″ means 5 feet 9 inches.