Knowing how to convert cm to feet and inches comes in handy for sports profiles, medical forms, travel, and anywhere heights are listed in a system you do not use day to day. The math is simple once you know the two steps, and one inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters, so the conversion is precise. This guide walks through the formula both ways, shows a couple of worked examples, and gives you a free two-way height converter plus a printable cm to feet and inches chart.
Last updated: July 24, 2026. The conversion uses the international inch, defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters.
How to Convert Cm to Feet and Inches: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 24, 2026
- Step 1: divide centimeters by 2.54 to get total inches.
- Step 2: divide total inches by 12 for feet, remainder is inches.
- Reverse: multiply total inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.
- Example: 180 cm is about 5 feet 11 inches.
- Fastest way: use our free two-way height converter.
The Cm to Feet and Inches Formula
Converting centimeters to feet and inches is a two-step process. First, divide your height in centimeters by 2.54 to get the total number of inches. Second, divide that total by 12: the whole number is your feet and whatever is left over is your inches. For example, 165 cm divided by 2.54 is about 65 inches, and 65 divided by 12 is 5 with a remainder of 5, so 165 cm is 5 feet 5 inches. To reverse it, add your feet and inches into one total-inch figure and multiply by 2.54, so 6 feet 0 inches is 72 inches times 2.54, or about 183 cm.
The Fastest Way: Two-Way Converter
Skip the arithmetic with our free Height Converter. Type a value in the centimeters box and the feet and inches fill in instantly, or type feet and inches to convert the other way. It works on your phone with no sign-up.
Height Conversion Quick Reference
| Centimeters | Feet & Inches |
|---|---|
| 155 cm | 5 ft 1 in |
| 165 cm | 5 ft 5 in |
| 175 cm | 5 ft 9 in |
| 183 cm | 6 ft 0 in |
| 193 cm | 6 ft 4 in |
The printable chart above covers every value from 140 to 200 cm for easy reference.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Cm to Feet and Inches
How do I convert cm to feet and inches quickly?
Divide the centimeters by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12. The whole number is feet and the remainder is inches. For example, 170 cm is about 5 feet 7 inches.
What is 180 cm in feet and inches?
180 cm is about 5 feet 11 inches. Divide 180 by 2.54 to get roughly 70.9 inches, which is 5 feet and just under 11 inches. The converter shows it instantly.
Why is one inch 2.54 cm?
In 1959 the United States and other countries agreed on the international inch, fixing it at exactly 2.54 centimeters. Because the value is exact, converting height between the two systems gives precise results.
