Convert inches to centimeters
Inch (in) to centimeter (cm). One inch equals 2.54 centimeters.
Formula
Inch to centimeter conversion table
| Inches | Centimeters | Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm | 1 cm | 0.393701 in |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm | 2 cm | 0.787402 in |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm | 3 cm | 1.1811 in |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm | 5 cm | 1.9685 in |
| 10 in | 25.4 cm | 10 cm | 3.937 in |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm | 20 cm | 7.874 in |
| 50 in | 127 cm | 50 cm | 19.685 in |
| 100 in | 254 cm | 100 cm | 39.3701 in |
| 500 in | 1270 cm | 500 cm | 196.85 in |
| 1000 in | 2540 cm | 1000 cm | 393.7 in |
Decimal inches to centimeters conversion table
The exact decimal amounts people look up most often, worked out with the same factor the converter above uses. Every row is calculated, not rounded off a chart.
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 13 in | 33.02 cm |
| 14 in | 35.56 cm |
| 15 in | 38.1 cm |
| 16 in | 40.64 cm |
| 17 in | 43.18 cm |
| 18 in | 45.72 cm |
| 19 in | 48.26 cm |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm |
| 21 in | 53.34 cm |
| 22 in | 55.88 cm |
| 23 in | 58.42 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 26 in | 66.04 cm |
| 28 in | 71.12 cm |
| 30 in | 76.2 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm |
| 34 in | 86.36 cm |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 38 in | 96.52 cm |
| 40 in | 101.6 cm |
| 42 in | 106.68 cm |
| 44 in | 111.76 cm |
| 46 in | 116.84 cm |
| 48 in | 121.92 cm |
| 50 in | 127 cm |
| 52 in | 132.08 cm |
| 54 in | 137.16 cm |
| 56 in | 142.24 cm |
| 58 in | 147.32 cm |
| 60 in | 152.4 cm |
| 72 in | 182.88 cm |
Centimeters back to inches
The same conversion in reverse, for when you have the answer and need the question.
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.393701 in |
| 2 cm | 0.787402 in |
| 5 cm | 1.9685 in |
| 10 cm | 3.937 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874 in |
| 30 cm | 11.811 in |
| 50 cm | 19.685 in |
| 100 cm | 39.3701 in |
Where the inch to centimeter factor comes from
- One inch is exactly 25.4 mm by the 1959 international definition, which is exactly 2.54 cm.
- So the centimetre value is just the inch value multiplied by that exact constant.
- centimetres = inches × 2.54. There is no measurement involved, so the factor holds at every decimal place.
- 5 in is 12.7 cm, 12 in (one foot) is 30.48 cm, and 36 in (one yard) is 91.44 cm.
Sources
Common mistakes
Inches and feet in the same number
A height written 5'10" is not 5.10 inches or even 5.10 feet: it is 5 feet 10 inches, which is 70 inches, or 177.8 cm. Convert the feet to inches first (multiply by 12) and add the inches before you reach for centimetres.
The double-prime is inches, the single is feet
The symbol " (double prime) means inches and ' (single prime) means feet. Reading 6" as six feet turns 15.24 cm into 182.88 cm. When a size looks implausible by a factor of twelve, check which mark was used.
To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54. One inch equals 2.54 centimeters, and one centimeter equals 0.393701 inches, so the relationship is fixed and exact. As a worked example, 10 in comes to 25.4 cm. Enter your own figure in the converter above to get an instant answer, or use the swap button to flip the direction. This is a length conversion, and like every tool on UnitGlide it runs locally in your browser with no account or upload required. The table further down shows a range of common inch values already worked out in centimeters, plus the reverse centimeter to inch direction, which is handy for quick reference or double-checking a result by hand.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm is 12 inches?
12 inches is 30.48 cm. Twelve inches is one foot, so a foot is 30.48 cm exactly. Multiply inches by 2.54: 12 × 2.54 = 30.48.
How many cm is 6 inches?
6 inches is 15.24 cm. Half a foot, so exactly half of 30.48. The factor never changes: 6 × 2.54 = 15.24.
How do I convert inches to cm in my head?
Multiply by 2.5 for a quick estimate, then add a little: 10 in is roughly 25 cm, and the exact answer is 25.4 cm. The shortcut runs about 1.6 percent low.
How many centimeters are in an inch?
One inch equals 2.54 centimeters. The ratio is constant, so you can multiply any number of inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.
What is the formula to convert inches to centimeters?
Use centimeters = inches × 2.54. UnitGlide applies this exact formula for every value, so results stay accurate across the whole range.
How do I convert centimeters back to inches?
Go the other way by using one centimeter equals 0.393701 inches. You can also press the swap button in the converter above to flip the direction in one click.
Is this inch to centimeter converter accurate?
Yes. It uses internationally defined SI conversion factors, as maintained by the BIPM, and all math runs in your browser so nothing is rounded away on a server. For everyday use the displayed precision is more than enough.