Inches to CM Converter

Convert inches to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54. Enter a length in inches (decimals allowed) to get centimeters and millimeters. Example: 10 in = 25.4 cm.

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Inches (in)

Decimal places

How to use the Inches to CM Converter

Type the value in inches.
Choose how many decimal places you want.
Press Calculate to see the value in centimeters, with the formula and steps.

Formula and method

centimeters = inches × 2.54

The inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm. For a quick mental estimate, multiply by 2.5 and add a little: 8 in × 2.5 = 20 cm, and the exact answer is 20.32 cm. Fractions of an inch convert the same way: 3/8 in = 0.375 in = 0.9525 cm.

in to cm conversion chart

Inches	Centimeters
0.125 in	0.318 cm
0.25 in	0.635 cm
0.5 in	1.27 cm
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
8 in	20.32 cm
10 in	25.4 cm
12 in	30.48 cm
24 in	60.96 cm
36 in	91.44 cm
48 in	121.92 cm
60 in	152.4 cm
72 in	182.88 cm

Fractions of an inch in centimeters

Fraction	Decimal inches	Centimeters
1/16	0.0625	0.159
1/8	0.125	0.318
1/4	0.25	0.635
3/8	0.375	0.953
1/2	0.5	1.27
5/8	0.625	1.588
3/4	0.75	1.905
7/8	0.875	2.223

Common uses

Inches to centimeters is used for monitor and phone screens (a 6.1 in phone screen is 15.49 cm diagonal), tire and wheel sizes, picture frames, shoe sizing, pipe diameters and international shipping dimensions. A 27 in monitor is 68.58 cm across the diagonal, and a US letter page (8.5 x 11 in) is 21.59 x 27.94 cm.

What are inches and centimeters?

An inch is one twelfth of a foot. Since the international agreement of 1959 it is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters.

A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, the SI unit of length. It is about the width of a fingernail (0.39 in) and is the everyday small unit in most countries.

How to convert inches to centimeters step by step

Write the value you want to convert: 7.5 in.
Apply the rule inches to centimeters: × 2.54.
Calculate: 7.5 × 2.54 = 19.05 cm.
Check a second value, 20 in: 20 × 2.54 = 50.8 cm.

Round the answer to the precision you need. For quick checks use the mental estimate in the formula section above, and use the converter for exact results.

Full in to cm chart

in	cm	in	cm	in	cm
1 in	2.54 cm	11 in	27.94 cm	21 in	53.34 cm
2 in	5.08 cm	12 in	30.48 cm	22 in	55.88 cm
3 in	7.62 cm	13 in	33.02 cm	23 in	58.42 cm
4 in	10.16 cm	14 in	35.56 cm	24 in	60.96 cm
5 in	12.7 cm	15 in	38.1 cm	25 in	63.5 cm
6 in	15.24 cm	16 in	40.64 cm	26 in	66.04 cm
7 in	17.78 cm	17 in	43.18 cm	27 in	68.58 cm
8 in	20.32 cm	18 in	45.72 cm	28 in	71.12 cm
9 in	22.86 cm	19 in	48.26 cm	29 in	73.66 cm
10 in	25.4 cm	20 in	50.8 cm	30 in	76.2 cm

Frequently asked questions

How many centimeters are in an inch?

Exactly 2.54 centimeters.

How do I convert 5 feet 8 inches to cm?

Convert to inches first: 5 x 12 + 8 = 68 in. Then 68 x 2.54 = 172.72 cm.

Why 2.54?

The US, UK and other countries agreed in 1959 to define the inch as exactly 25.4 mm, so every inch-to-metric conversion uses that fixed value.

Sources

NIST: Unit conversion factors

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