Convert dimensions without changing their meaning
Length describes a single dimension: how long, wide, high, deep, or far something is. This converter is designed for those one-dimensional measurements, from small millimeter product specifications to road distances measured in miles.
Choose the unit attached to the original measurement rather than the unit you expect. For example, a room dimension written as 3.6 m should start in meters even if you need the answer in feet. Keeping the source unit explicit is the simplest way to avoid a factor-of-ten or factor-of-twelve error.
Length conversion factors and formulas
All conversions use the international meter as a shared base. Metric units scale by powers of ten, while imperial and US customary units use exact international definitions.
1 meter = 100 centimeters = 1,000 millimeters.
1 inch = 25.4 millimeters exactly.
1 foot = 12 inches = 0.3048 meters exactly.
1 yard = 3 feet = 0.9144 meters exactly.
1 international mile = 1,760 yards = 1.609344 kilometers exactly.
Conversions in real situations
Convert a 180-centimeter desk length to inches.
180 cm = 70.87 inchesDivide 180 by 2.54 because one inch contains exactly 2.54 centimeters.
Convert a 4.2-meter wall to feet.
4.2 m = 13.78 feetDivide meters by 0.3048. For purchasing materials, keep extra precision until applying waste or pack-size rules.
Convert 10 kilometers to miles.
10 km = 6.21 milesA 10K route is about 6.21 international miles; course certification may use more precision than this display.
When to use a length converter
Use length for individual sides or straight-line distance. If you are converting square feet to square meters, you need an area conversion because the linear factor must be squared. Cubic measurements similarly require a volume conversion, where the factor is cubed.
Construction drawings and manufactured parts may require tighter tolerances than a two-decimal display. Keep the original specification and verify the required tolerance before cutting, machining, ordering, or certifying a dimension.
What this conversion does not decide
- This page converts linear measurements, not square area or cubic volume.
- It uses the international foot, yard, and mile, not historical or survey variants.
- Displayed results are rounded to two decimal places and are not a tolerance specification.
- Map distance, curved paths, and scale drawings require additional context beyond unit conversion.
Length & distance questions
How many centimeters are in an inch?
One international inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters, or 25.4 millimeters.
How do I convert meters to feet?
Divide the meter value by 0.3048, or multiply it by approximately 3.28084.
Can I use this for square feet to square meters?
No. This converter is for linear length. Area conversions must square the linear factor, so they need a dedicated area conversion.
Why is a reverse conversion sometimes slightly different?
The result is rounded for display. Re-entering that rounded number can lose some precision even though the underlying conversion factors are accurate.
Are nautical miles included?
No. The miles option is the international statute mile used for land distance. Nautical miles are different and are associated with marine and aviation navigation.