A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, about the width of a fingernail. The prefix centi means one hundredth, the same rule that makes a cent one hundredth of a dollar.
Math Dictionary / Centimeter
Centimeter
A centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter.
MeasurementGrade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6GED
What it means
Centimeters are useful for measuring small objects, such as pencils or notebooks.
Also called: cm
Examples
| 100 cm = 1 m |
| 10 cm is one tenth of a meter |
| A paper clip may be a few centimeters long |
Common mistake
A centimeter is shorter than a meter, not longer.
Try one
Question: How many centimeters are in 2 meters?
Show answer
200 centimeters.