Length Converter
Convert between metres, feet, inches, miles, kilometres and all common length units.
How to Convert Between Length and Distance Units
Length and distance conversions come up constantly — in construction, travel, science, sports, and everyday life. The metric system uses metres as its base unit, with kilometres for long distances and centimetres or millimetres for shorter measurements. The imperial system, used primarily in the United States, uses inches, feet, yards, and miles.
This length converter handles the most commonly used units instantly. Enter any value, choose your source and target units, and get your result in real time.
Length Conversion Reference Table
| From | To | Multiply by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilometres (km) | Miles (mi) | 0.621371 | 10 km = 6.21 mi |
| Miles (mi) | Kilometres (km) | 1.60934 | 5 mi = 8.05 km |
| Metres (m) | Feet (ft) | 3.28084 | 100 m = 328.1 ft |
| Feet (ft) | Metres (m) | 0.3048 | 6 ft = 1.83 m |
| Centimetres (cm) | Inches (in) | 0.393701 | 30 cm = 11.81 in |
| Inches (in) | Centimetres (cm) | 2.54 | 12 in = 30.48 cm |
| Metres (m) | Yards (yd) | 1.09361 | 100 m = 109.4 yd |
| Millimetres (mm) | Inches (in) | 0.0393701 | 25.4 mm = 1 in |
Kilometres vs Miles
The kilometre (km) is the standard unit for road distances in most of the world. The mile (mi) is used for road distances in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries. One mile equals exactly 1.60934 kilometres. A quick mental approximation: multiply miles by 1.6 to get kilometres, or multiply kilometres by 0.6 to get miles.
Common reference points: a 5K race is 3.1 miles. A marathon (42.195 km) is 26.2 miles. A mile is roughly the distance you can walk in 15–20 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Feet, Inches, and Human Height
In the United States, human height is typically expressed in feet and inches (e.g., 5'10"). In most other countries, height is given in centimetres or metres. Here are some common height conversions:
| Feet & Inches | Centimetres | Metres |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" (5 feet) | 152.4 cm | 1.524 m |
| 5'5" | 165.1 cm | 1.651 m |
| 5'10" | 177.8 cm | 1.778 m |
| 6'0" | 182.9 cm | 1.829 m |
| 6'2" | 188.0 cm | 1.880 m |
The inch was officially defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres in 1959. This means all imperial-metric length conversions ultimately derive from this single fixed relationship. There are exactly 12 inches in a foot and exactly 3 feet in a yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centimetres are in an inch?
There are exactly 2.54 centimetres in one inch. This is an exact, defined relationship — not an approximation. So 1 foot (12 inches) = 30.48 cm, and 1 yard (36 inches) = 91.44 cm.
How many kilometres are in a mile?
One mile equals exactly 1.60934 kilometres (often rounded to 1.609 km). Conversely, one kilometre equals 0.62137 miles. A quick mental shortcut: to convert km to miles, multiply by 0.6 (or more accurately, multiply by 5 and divide by 8).
How do I convert feet and inches to centimetres?
First convert everything to inches: multiply feet by 12 and add the remaining inches. Then multiply the total inches by 2.54 to get centimetres. Example: 5 feet 9 inches = (5 × 12) + 9 = 69 inches. 69 × 2.54 = 175.26 cm.
What is the difference between a nautical mile and a regular mile?
A nautical mile equals 1,852 metres (1.852 km or 1.151 statute miles). It is based on the circumference of the Earth — one nautical mile corresponds to one minute of arc of latitude. Nautical miles are used in maritime navigation and aviation worldwide. A regular (statute) mile equals 1,609.34 metres.
How many feet are in a metre?
One metre equals 3.28084 feet. Conversely, one foot equals 0.3048 metres. For quick mental conversions: 1 metre is roughly 3 feet 3 inches, and 10 metres is about 33 feet.