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Feet to Inches Calculator

Convert lengths between feet, inches, and metric units for quick carpentry or height conversions.

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Quick Summary

Use this when you need:

Translate framing dimensions from plan sets to shop notes
Convert athlete heights between feet, inches, and centimeters
Check that machining specs in inches agree with metric drawings

You’ll get:Length

How this is calculated

Formula:

length_target = length_source * (source_to_meters / target_to_meters)

In plain language:

The converter normalizes your entry into meters, then scales it into inches, feet, or a feet plus inches composite for display.

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

Translate framing dimensions from plan sets to shop notes
Convert athlete heights between feet, inches, and centimeters
Check that machining specs in inches agree with metric drawings

Last updated: November 18, 2025

Feet to inches explained

Framing notes, athletic rosters, and shop drawings bounce between decimal feet, feet-and-inches, and metric units. This calculator converts any foot measurement into inches (and back) using the exact definitions adopted by NIST, then shows the matching metric value so you can cross-check with international specs.

How the conversion works

Because $1\,\text{ft} = 12\,\text{in}$ and $1\,\text{in} = 25.4\,\text{mm}$ (exact), the conversions are straightforward:

\text{inches} = \text{feet} \times 12 \qquad \text{feet} = \frac{\text{inches}}{12}

We still route through meters internally so mixed-unit chains remain consistent with other converters.

Units and conversions

Unit	Relation
Foot	$1\,\text{ft} = 0.3048\,\text{m}$
Inch	$1\,\text{in} = 25.4\,\text{mm}$
Centimeter	$1\,\text{cm} = 0.3937\,\text{in}$
Meter	$1\,\text{m} = 3.28084\,\text{ft}$

Worked examples

Shop drawing dimension
Convert 4.5 ft to inches and centimeters.

\text{in} = 4.5 \times 12 = 54\,\text{in}\\ \text{cm} = 54 \times 2.54 = 137.16\,\text{cm}

Result: 4.5 ft equals 54 in (137.2 cm).

Reverse conversion
A part measures 30 inches. Express it in feet.

\text{ft} = \frac{30}{12} = 2.5\,\text{ft}

Result: log 2.5 ft on the BOM.

Tips and pitfalls

Decide upfront whether you want decimal feet or feet+inches when sharing with crews; 2.5 ft communicates better as 2′‑6″ in the field.
Use centimeters when swapping plans with international suppliers; the calculator keeps the metric cards handy so you do not open a second converter.
Remember that survey feet were sunset in 2023—stick with the international foot (0.3048 m) this tool uses.
Keep extra precision during design (four decimals of feet), then round to 1/16 in when cutting material.

References and further reading

NIST — Exact definitions of the inch and foot

Frequently Asked Questions

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Calculator info

Version:: v1.0.0
Sensitivity:: low

Last updated: November 18, 2025

Feet to inches explained

How the conversion works

Because $1\,\text{ft} = 12\,\text{in}$ and $1\,\text{in} = 25.4\,\text{mm}$ (exact), the conversions are straightforward:

\text{inches} = \text{feet} \times 12 \qquad \text{feet} = \frac{\text{inches}}{12}

We still route through meters internally so mixed-unit chains remain consistent with other converters.

Units and conversions

Unit	Relation
Foot	$1\,\text{ft} = 0.3048\,\text{m}$
Inch	$1\,\text{in} = 25.4\,\text{mm}$
Centimeter	$1\,\text{cm} = 0.3937\,\text{in}$
Meter	$1\,\text{m} = 3.28084\,\text{ft}$

Worked examples

Shop drawing dimension
Convert 4.5 ft to inches and centimeters.

\text{in} = 4.5 \times 12 = 54\,\text{in}\\ \text{cm} = 54 \times 2.54 = 137.16\,\text{cm}

Result: 4.5 ft equals 54 in (137.2 cm).

Reverse conversion
A part measures 30 inches. Express it in feet.

\text{ft} = \frac{30}{12} = 2.5\,\text{ft}

Result: log 2.5 ft on the BOM.

Tips and pitfalls

Decide upfront whether you want decimal feet or feet+inches when sharing with crews; 2.5 ft communicates better as 2′‑6″ in the field.
Use centimeters when swapping plans with international suppliers; the calculator keeps the metric cards handy so you do not open a second converter.
Remember that survey feet were sunset in 2023—stick with the international foot (0.3048 m) this tool uses.
Keep extra precision during design (four decimals of feet), then round to 1/16 in when cutting material.

References and further reading

NIST — Exact definitions of the inch and foot

Quick Summary

Calculator Tool

How this is calculated

What these terms mean

Length

When to use this calculator

Feet 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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Was this calculator helpful?

Found an error?

Calculator info

Feet to inches explained

How the conversion works

Units and conversions

Worked examples

Tips and pitfalls

References and further reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Feet and Inches Calculator

Feet Converter

Imperial Calculator

Acreage Calculator

Angstrom to nm converter

Centimeter Calculator

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