Height Converter
Convert heights between centimeters, meters, and feet/inches instantly with our Height Converter. Whether you're filling out forms that require different units, traveling internationally, tracking fitness progress, or converting medical records, this tool makes height conversions simple and accurate. Enter your height in any unit and see instant conversions to all other formats. The converter handles both metric (cm, m) and imperial (ft/in) systems seamlessly. Perfect for international applications, healthcare forms, sports statistics, or personal tracking. The quick reference table shows common heights from 150-200 cm for easy lookup. All conversions use standard formulas (1 inch = 2.54 cm) ensuring accuracy. No guesswork, no manual calculations—just fast, reliable height conversions in seconds.
How it works: Select your units (centimeters, meters, or feet/inches), enter your height, and instantly see the conversion. The tool displays equivalents in all three measurement systems for easy reference. Use the swap button to quickly exchange the from/to units. Perfect for international travel, medical records, or fitness tracking.
Overview
Convert height between feet/inches and centimeters instantly with our free Height Converter. Whether you're calculating BMI, shopping for clothes internationally, or comparing heights across different measurement systems, this tool provides accurate conversions. Enter your height in either feet and inches or centimeters to see the equivalent in both systems. Perfect for medical forms, fitness tracking, or international travel. All conversions happen in your browser with no data storage for complete privacy.
About
About Height Converter
Convert heights between centimeters, meters, and feet/inches instantly. Enter your height in any unit and see conversions to all other formats. Perfect for international forms, medical records, and fitness tracking.
Features:
- Convert between cm, m, and ft/in
- Shows equivalents in all units simultaneously
- Quick swap button to exchange units
- Collapsible reference table (150-200 cm)
- Handles feet and inches separately
- Accurate to two decimal places for metric and whole numbers for imperial
FAQ
How accurate is the conversion?
The converter uses standard conversion factors: 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Results are accurate to two decimal places for metric and whole numbers for imperial.
Why do I need a height converter?
Different countries use different measurement systems. This tool helps you quickly convert between feet/inches (used in the US) and centimeters/meters (used in most other countries).
Can I convert very tall or very short heights?
Yes! The converter works for any positive height value. The reference table shows 150-200 cm (common adult heights), but you can convert any measurement.
What's the difference between 1.7m and 170cm?
They're the same height! 1 meter equals 100 centimeters, so 1.7 m = 170 cm. The converter shows both for convenience depending on which unit you prefer.
Why does the feet/inches conversion sometimes show decimals?
For accuracy, we show inches to one decimal place. For example, 170 cm = 5 feet 6.9 inches. You can round to the nearest whole inch if needed (5'7" in this case).
Related Tools
What Is a Height Converter?
A height converter translates measurements between imperial units (feet and inches) and metric units (centimeters and meters). The US, UK, and a few other countries commonly express height in feet and inches (e.g., 5'10"), while most of the world uses centimeters or meters. Medical records, fitness apps, international travel forms, and online dating profiles all require knowing your height in both systems.
The conversion is exact: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters (defined exactly since 1959). This means any feet-and-inches measurement can be converted to centimeters without rounding error. This tool converts both ways — feet/inches to cm/m, and cm/m back to feet and inches.
How to Use This Height Converter
- Enter your height in feet and inches or in centimeters/meters in the input fields.
- The converter instantly shows the equivalent in the other system.
- Use the reference table below to quickly look up common heights without calculation.
Formula (ft/in → cm): Total inches = (feet × 12) + inches. Then cm = total inches × 2.54.
Formula (cm → ft/in): Total inches = cm ÷ 2.54. Feet = floor(total inches ÷ 12). Remaining inches = total inches mod 12.
Worked Example: Converting 5'9" to Centimeters
Step 1: 5 ft × 12 = 60 inches
Step 2: 60 + 9 = 69 total inches
Step 3: 69 × 2.54 = 175.26 cm = 1.7526 m
Reverse check: 175.26 ÷ 2.54 = 69 inches → 69 ÷ 12 = 5 remainder 9 → 5'9" ✓
Common Height Conversion Reference
| Feet & Inches | Total Inches | Centimeters | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′8″ | 56″ | 142.2 cm | 1.42 m |
| 4′10″ | 58″ | 147.3 cm | 1.47 m |
| 5′0″ | 60″ | 152.4 cm | 1.52 m |
| 5′2″ | 62″ | 157.5 cm | 1.58 m |
| 5′4″ | 64″ | 162.6 cm | 1.63 m |
| 5′6″ | 66″ | 167.6 cm | 1.68 m |
| 5′8″ | 68″ | 172.7 cm | 1.73 m |
| 5′10″ | 70″ | 177.8 cm | 1.78 m |
| 6′0″ | 72″ | 182.9 cm | 1.83 m |
| 6′2″ | 74″ | 188.0 cm | 1.88 m |
| 6′4″ | 76″ | 193.0 cm | 1.93 m |
| 6′6″ | 78″ | 198.1 cm | 1.98 m |
Key Concepts: Average Heights by Country
Global height context. Average male height globally is approximately 171 cm (5'7") and female height is approximately 159 cm (5'3"). The Netherlands has the tallest average men at around 183 cm (6'0"). The US average male height is about 176 cm (5'9") and female is about 163 cm (5'4"). Average heights have increased significantly over the past century due to improved nutrition.
Height in medicine and fitness. In medical and health contexts, height in cm is used with weight in kg to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index): BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Height in cm is also used for sizing clothing, ergonomic workplace setup, pediatric growth chart tracking, and determining appropriate medication dosages for some drugs.
Sports height standards. Height requirements vary by sport. NBA players average around 200 cm (6'7"). Jockeys (horse racing) typically stay under 163 cm (5'4"). Gymnastics favors shorter athletes — elite female gymnasts typically range 148–157 cm (4'10"–5'2"). Volleyball players average 190–200 cm (6'3"–6'7") among elite competitors.
Tips for Height Measurement
Measure in the morning. Your height fluctuates by 1–2 cm throughout the day due to spinal compression from gravity and activity. The human spine is tallest after sleeping when discs are fully hydrated. For consistent measurements, measure at the same time of day — preferably morning before extended walking or standing.
Measure without shoes and stand straight. Stand barefoot with your back against a flat wall, heels together and touching the wall. Look straight ahead (Frankfurt plane — bottom of eye socket level with top of ear canal). Place a flat book on your head and mark the wall, then measure from floor to mark. This gives the most accurate stadiometric (standing) measurement.
Be aware of rounding. When converting between systems, 5'10" = 177.8 cm exactly. Some people round to 178 cm, others to 177. For medical forms requiring precision, always use the calculator rather than a memorized approximation to avoid errors that could affect drug dosing calculations or BMI classification at a threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centimeters is 5 feet?
5 feet = 5 × 12 = 60 inches. 60 × 2.54 = 152.4 cm exactly. Quick mental math: 5 feet ≈ 152 cm. To convert feet to cm mentally: multiply feet by 30, then add inches × 2.5. So 5′0″ ≈ 5×30 + 0×2.5 = 150 cm (close but slightly low — exact is 152.4 cm).
How many centimeters is 6 feet?
6 feet = 72 inches. 72 × 2.54 = 182.88 cm ≈ 183 cm. Quick rule: 6 feet is just under 183 cm. For 6′1″: 73 × 2.54 = 185.4 cm. For 6′6″: 78 × 2.54 = 198.1 cm.
How do I convert cm to feet and inches?
Divide cm by 2.54 to get total inches. Then divide by 12 to get feet (take the whole number), and the remainder is inches. Example: 170 cm ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 inches → 66 ÷ 12 = 5 feet, 66 − 60 = 6 inches → 5′6.9″ ≈ 5′7″.
How tall is 5′5″ in cm?
5′5″ = 65 inches. 65 × 2.54 = 165.1 cm. This is close to the global average female height. Rounded to 165 cm.
How tall is 5′11″ in cm?
5′11″ = 71 inches. 71 × 2.54 = 180.34 cm ≈ 180 cm. This is close to the average height of American men (176 cm) and just under 6 feet (182.88 cm).
What is 175 cm in feet?
175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches → 68 ÷ 12 = 5 feet, 68 − 60 = 8 inches → approximately 5′8.9″ ≈ 5′9". So 175 cm ≈ 5 feet 9 inches.
How accurate are height conversions?
The conversion factor is exact: 1 inch = 2.54 cm (defined by international agreement in 1959). There is no rounding error in the formula itself. Any inaccuracy comes from measuring height itself — human height varies 1–2 cm throughout the day due to spinal disc compression.
Why does the US use feet and inches while most of the world uses cm?
The US, Myanmar, and Liberia are the only countries that have not officially adopted the metric system for everyday use. The US customary system evolved from British imperial units used by American colonists. Multiple attempts at metrication in the US (notably in the 1970s) were unsuccessful. Scientific and medical communities in the US use metric; everyday life still uses imperial.