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Inches to Centimeters

Type inches (in), see centimeters (cm).

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How to convert inches to centimeters

To change inches into centimeters, multiply by 2.54.

centimeters = inches × 2.54
Going the other way: inches = centimeters × 0.393700787402

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. This factor is the exact definition of the unit, not a rounded estimate.

Worked example

You have 12 inches. Multiply by 2.54. 12 × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.

Inches to centimeters conversion table

Common inches to centimeters values, rounded to 4 decimal places.
Inches (in) Centimeters (cm)
1 in 2.54 cm
2 in 5.08 cm
3 in 7.62 cm
6 in 15.24 cm
8 in 20.32 cm
10 in 25.4 cm
12 in 30.48 cm
15 in 38.1 cm
18 in 45.72 cm
24 in 60.96 cm
30 in 76.2 cm
36 in 91.44 cm
48 in 121.92 cm
72 in 182.88 cm

This factor is exact

1 inch is exactly 2.54 cm. Since 1959 the inch has been defined in metric terms rather than measured against one, so this multiplication introduces no error at all — the only rounding is whatever you do to the answer afterwards.

Watch for fractional inches. A measurement written 5 3/8 in has to become 5.375 before you multiply; typing 5.38 is close but not the same number, and the error grows on a long run.

Screen and wheel sizes are diagonals and diameters respectively, not widths. A 27-inch monitor measures 68.58 cm corner to corner.

For heights given in feet and inches, turn the whole thing into inches first — 5 ft 10 in is 70 in — and convert once. Converting each part separately and adding them up invites a slip.

Frequently asked questions

How many cm is 12 inches?

12 inches, one foot, is exactly 30.48 cm.

How many cm is 1 inch?

Exactly 2.54 cm. This is a definition, not a rounded measurement.

What is 5 feet 10 inches in cm?

5 ft 10 in is 70 inches, which is exactly 177.8 cm.

How many cm is 6 inches?

6 inches is exactly 15.24 cm.

How do I convert a fraction like 3/8 of an inch?

Turn it into a decimal first: 3/8 is 0.375 in, which is 0.9525 cm.

How many cm is 24 inches?

24 inches, two feet, is exactly 60.96 cm.

Related converters

Every factor on this page is listed in our conversion methodology.