Length & DistanceConversion Formulas & Examples
Meters → Feet
ft = m × 3.28084Example: 10 m × 3.28084 = 32.81 ft
Feet → Meters
m = ft ÷ 3.28084Example: 10 ft ÷ 3.28084 = 3.05 m
Centimeters → Inches
in = cm ÷ 2.54Example: 20 cm ÷ 2.54 = 7.87 in
Inches → Centimeters
cm = in × 2.54Example: 10 in × 2.54 = 25.4 cm
Kilometers → Miles
mi = km × 0.621371Example: 50 km × 0.621371 = 31.07 mi
Miles → Kilometers
km = mi × 1.609344Example: 10 mi × 1.609344 = 16.09 km
Length & Distance Reference Table
| Common Reference | Metric Length | Imperial / US Customary | Meter Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Millimeter | 1 mm (0.1 cm) | 0.03937 in | 0.001 m |
| 1 Centimeter | 1 cm (10 mm) | 0.3937 in | 0.01 m |
| 1 International Inch | 2.54 cm (25.4 mm) | 1 in (1/12 ft) | 0.0254 m |
| 1 International Foot (Ruler Length) | 30.48 cm | 1 ft (12 in) | 0.3048 m |
| 1 International Yard | 91.44 cm | 1 yd (3 ft / 36 in) | 0.9144 m |
| 1 Meter (SI Base Unit) | 1 m (100 cm) | 3.28084 ft (39.37 in) | 1 m |
| 100 Meters (Sprint Track) | 100 m | 328.08 ft (109.36 yd) | 100 m |
| 1 Kilometer | 1 km (1,000 m) | 0.62137 mi (3,280.84 ft) | 1,000 m |
| 1 Statute Mile | 1.60934 km | 1 mi (5,280 ft / 1,760 yd) | 1,609.344 m |
| 1 International Nautical Mile | 1.852 km | 1.15078 statute mi | 1,852 m |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is the primary international standard for length and distance?
The meter (m) is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), defined by the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Q.How are US customary length units (inches, feet, yards, miles) defined today?
Since the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, 1 yard is defined as 0.9144 meters, making 1 foot equal to 0.3048 meters and 1 inch equal to 2.54 centimeters.
Q.What is the difference between a statute mile and a nautical mile?
A land statute mile equals 5,280 feet (1,609.344 meters), while an international nautical mile used in aviation and marine navigation equals 1,852 meters (≈ 6,076.12 feet).
Q.How do I convert centimeters to inches quickly?
Divide the length in centimeters by 2.54 (or multiply by 0.393701) to convert to inches.