Centimeters to Inches
Convert centimeters to inches instantly with the official formula—1 cm equals 0.3937 inches.
cm
0.3937008 inches
Formula
inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54. One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters under the international yard agreement of 1959.
Quick reference
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.3937 |
| 5 | 1.9685 |
| 10 | 3.937 |
| 25 | 9.8425 |
| 30 | 11.811 |
| 50 | 19.685 |
| 100 | 39.3701 |
A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, the base unit of length in the metric system. It is the standard unit used for everyday measurements across most of the world, from clothing sizes to furniture dimensions.
An inch is a unit of length in the imperial and United States customary systems. Historically based on the width of a human thumb, it is now legally defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters. It remains the primary screen and print measurement in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
Common uses
- Converting your height or a clothing measurement from metric centimeters to inches for U.S. or U.K. shopping sites that list sizes only in inches.
- Matching a phone, laptop, or TV screen size advertised in inches to a centimeter measurement when checking whether a device fits your desk or bag.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 2.54 cm exactly 1 inch?
- Yes. Since the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, 1 inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, with no rounding.
- How many inches is 30 cm?
- 30 cm is about 11.81 inches (30 ÷ 2.54 ≈ 11.81).
- Do Americans really use inches instead of centimeters?
- Yes, the United States still uses inches, feet, and pounds for most everyday purposes, while science, medicine, and many industries use metric units alongside them.