Centimeters to Feet Converter

How to Convert Centimeters to Feet

To convert centimeters to feet, multiply the number of centimeters by 0.0328084.

Worked Examples

• 1 centimeter = 1 × 0.03281 = 0.032808 ft
• 5 centimeters = 5 × 0.03281 = 0.164042 ft
• 12 centimeters = 12 × 0.03281 = 0.393701 ft
• 36 centimeters = 36 × 0.03281 = 1.181102 ft

Why Convert Centimeters to Feet?

• Translating an adult height in centimeters (170 cm, 180 cm, etc.) into the feet-and-inches notation used on US driver's licenses and dating profiles
• Converting metric ceiling or doorway heights into feet for a US contractor or home buyer
• Reading athletic profiles (basketball, volleyball) where height may be reported in either system
• Translating metric architectural drawings into feet for a US site survey or framing crew

Centimeters to Feet Conversion Table

Quick Reference: Centimeters to Feet

The most-searched conversion values for this pair, summarised for quick lookup:

What Is a Centimeter?

A centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth (1/100) of a meter, widely used for everyday measurements worldwide.

The centimeter was introduced with the metric system after the French Revolution as part of a decimal-based effort to unify trade and science. Although not an SI base unit (the meter is), the centimeter became the practical workhorse for human-scale measurements once the metric system spread across Europe, Asia, and Latin America during the 19th and 20th centuries.

In everyday use: Centimeters are the default unit for measuring body dimensions (height, waist, chest), clothing sizes in most of the world, school stationery, and the height of children at pediatric checkups. Rulers in the metric world are usually graduated in centimeters with millimeter subdivisions.

The centimeter symbol is cm.

What Is a Foot?

A foot is a unit of length equal to exactly 0.3048 meters (12 inches), defined in 1959 by international agreement.

The foot is one of the oldest units still in everyday use, with roots in ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval European measurement systems — each using a foot of slightly different length. The modern international foot was fixed at 0.3048 meters in 1959, while the US Survey foot persisted for geodetic work until being phased out at the end of 2022.

In everyday use: Feet are widely used to express human height, room dimensions, and ceiling heights in the United States and United Kingdom. The unit is standard in aviation for altitude (flight level 350 = 35,000 feet) and remains common in real estate listings, construction drawings, and outdoor distance estimates.

The foot symbol is ft.

Precision and Accuracy

1 cm = 0.0328084 feet. The conversion combines two exact factors (cm→m and m→ft), so the only rounding is in the displayed decimals.

For most everyday purposes — recipes, room sizing, shopping — four decimal places of precision are more than enough. Engineering and scientific work may require additional digits or scientific notation for very small or very large results.

Common Centimeters to Feet Conversions