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cm to in Converter

Convert lengths between centimeters and inches, with helpful views in feet, meters, and millimeters.

Formula shown0 inputs definedUpdated Nov 2025By CalcuTotal TeamFree, no sign-up

Quick Summary

Use this when you need:

Resize specs from centimeters into inches for US drawings
Check suitcase dimensions listed in cm against an airline's inches rule
Flip between cm, mm, and ft+in when doing quick carpentry math

You’ll get:Length

How this is calculated

Formula:

length_target = length_source

In plain language:

All entries normalize to meters, then render as centimeters, inches, feet, or millimeters with exact conversion factors.

The formula is always visible so you can verify the math and explain your numbers to anyone who asks.

What these terms mean

Length

Length used in the calculation.

When to use this calculator

Resize specs from centimeters into inches for US drawings
Check suitcase dimensions listed in cm against an airline's inches rule
Flip between cm, mm, and ft+in when doing quick carpentry math

Last updated: November 24, 2025

cm to inches explained

This guide shows you how to flip centimeter measurements into inches (and back) without losing precision. Use it when a spec sheet is in cm but your tools, lumber, or sewing pattern call for inches.

How the conversion works

The international inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. The reverse relation is $1 \\text{ cm} = 0.3937008 \\text{ in}$ . Because the inch definition is exact, the only rounding comes from how many decimals you keep. citeturn2search12turn2search3

Inline formula:

$\\text{inches} = \\text{centimeters} \\div 2.54$

Display math:

\\text{centimeters} = \\text{inches} \\times 2.54

Units and conversions

Unit	Symbol	Relation to meters
centimeter	cm	$1\\ \\text{cm} = 0.01\\ \\text{m}$ citeturn2search13
inch	in	$1\\ \\text{in} = 0.0254\\ \\text{m}$ citeturn2search12
millimeter	mm	$1\\ \\text{mm} = 0.001\\ \\text{m}$
foot	ft	$1\\ \\text{ft} = 0.3048\\ \\text{m}$ (12 in) citeturn2search12

Worked examples

Laptop width in inches
A laptop is 32 cm wide.
$32 \\div 2.54 = 12.5984\\ \\text{in}$ → about 12.60 in.
Board length back to centimeters
A 28 in shelf needs a metric drawing.
$28 \\times 2.54 = 71.12\\ \\text{cm}$ .
Reverse with feet context
A 5 ft (60 in) closet opening equals $60 \\times 2.54 = 152.4\\ \\text{cm}$ .

Tips and pitfalls

Use at least two decimals for carpentry fits; three or four for machining.
Watch fraction → decimal conversions (e.g., $3\\tfrac{1}{2}$ in = 3.5 in before multiplying).
Keep consistent rounding across a project to avoid small gaps adding up.
For fabric, add seam allowance after converting so you don’t double-round.

References and further reading

International inch definition — Wikipedia citeturn2search12
Centimeters to inches relationship — math.net citeturn2search3
Centimetre — Wikipedia citeturn2search13

Frequently Asked Questions

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Calculator info

Version:: v1.0.0
Last reviewed:: Nov 24, 2025
Sensitivity:: low
References:: 1

Last updated: November 24, 2025

cm to inches explained

This guide shows you how to flip centimeter measurements into inches (and back) without losing precision. Use it when a spec sheet is in cm but your tools, lumber, or sewing pattern call for inches.

How the conversion works

Inline formula:

$\\text{inches} = \\text{centimeters} \\div 2.54$

Display math:

\\text{centimeters} = \\text{inches} \\times 2.54

Units and conversions

Unit	Symbol	Relation to meters
centimeter	cm	$1\\ \\text{cm} = 0.01\\ \\text{m}$ citeturn2search13
inch	in	$1\\ \\text{in} = 0.0254\\ \\text{m}$ citeturn2search12
millimeter	mm	$1\\ \\text{mm} = 0.001\\ \\text{m}$
foot	ft	$1\\ \\text{ft} = 0.3048\\ \\text{m}$ (12 in) citeturn2search12

Worked examples

Laptop width in inches
A laptop is 32 cm wide.
$32 \\div 2.54 = 12.5984\\ \\text{in}$ → about 12.60 in.
Board length back to centimeters
A 28 in shelf needs a metric drawing.
$28 \\times 2.54 = 71.12\\ \\text{cm}$ .
Reverse with feet context
A 5 ft (60 in) closet opening equals $60 \\times 2.54 = 152.4\\ \\text{cm}$ .

Tips and pitfalls

Use at least two decimals for carpentry fits; three or four for machining.
Watch fraction → decimal conversions (e.g., $3\\tfrac{1}{2}$ in = 3.5 in before multiplying).
Keep consistent rounding across a project to avoid small gaps adding up.
For fabric, add seam allowance after converting so you don’t double-round.

References and further reading

International inch definition — Wikipedia citeturn2search12
Centimeters to inches relationship — math.net citeturn2search3
Centimetre — Wikipedia citeturn2search13

Quick Summary

Calculator Tool

How this is calculated

What these terms mean

Length

When to use this calculator

cm to inches explained

How the conversion works

Units and conversions

Worked examples

Tips and pitfalls

References and further reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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Calculator info

cm to inches explained

How the conversion works

Units and conversions

Worked examples

Tips and pitfalls

References and further reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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