Cm to Inches Converter
Type a centimeter or inch value and instantly see the exact conversion in the other unit — including inch fractions and tape-measure-friendly results. No convert button, no sign-up, and nothing you type ever leaves your browser.
What is the cm to inches converter?
This is a free online tool that turns centimeters into inches — and inches back into centimeters — in real time. Whether you are reading a product listing in metric, following an American sewing pattern, or checking how tall something is in a unit you actually recognize, the cm to inches converter gives you the answer the instant you type. It is a single, two-way page: you never have to pick a direction or hunt for a separate "inches to cm" tool. The result also translates decimal inches into a ruler-friendly fraction and feet plus inches.
How to use it
- Type a number into the centimeters field to see its value in inches appear immediately.
- Or type a decimal or common fraction such as
7 1/2into the inches field — the centimeters value updates the same way. - Choose how finely to round the practical result, then read or copy the decimal, nearest inch fraction, and feet-plus-inches forms together.
Convert cm to inches and inches to cm instantly on one page — that is the whole idea, and it stays out of your way.
The formula behind it
The conversion rests on one fixed international definition: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters, exactly. From that single fact both directions follow:
- Centimeters to inches: inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54
- Inches to centimeters: centimeters = inches × 2.54
Because 2.54 is an exact figure, not an approximation, the math is precise. The decimal conversion keeps that precision. Tape measures use fractional marks, so the fraction and feet-plus-inches displays are explicitly marked as approximate and rounded to the precision you choose.
Common conversion table
A quick reference for the values people look up most often. Handy when you keep hitting the same few values — a 30 cm ruler, a 100 cm length of fabric, or a 150 cm height — and just want to glance instead of type.
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.39 in |
| 2 cm | 0.79 in |
| 5 cm | 1.97 in |
| 10 cm | 3.94 in |
| 15 cm | 5.91 in |
| 20 cm | 7.87 in |
| 25 cm | 9.84 in |
| 30 cm | 11.81 in |
| 40 cm | 15.75 in |
| 50 cm | 19.69 in |
| 75 cm | 29.53 in |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in |
| 150 cm | 59.06 in |
| 200 cm | 78.74 in |
Examples
- 30 cm → inches: 30 ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 inches (a standard ruler length).
- 170 cm → inches: 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 inches, or about 5 feet 7 inches (a common adult height).
- 12 inches → cm: 12 × 2.54 = 30.48 cm (one foot expressed in centimeters).
- 7 1/2 inches → cm: type the fraction as written on a ruler to get exactly 19.05 cm.
Common use cases
- Shopping online when a product's dimensions are listed only in centimeters but you think in inches (or the reverse).
- Sewing, quilting, and crafts, where patterns and fabric are measured in different units across countries.
- Comparing screen, furniture, or luggage sizes against measurements you already understand.
- Schoolwork and quick homework checks that ask you to convert between metric and imperial length.
- DIY and home projects where a tape measure and a spec sheet disagree on units.
Why use this one
Most converters force you to choose a direction or load a separate page for "inches to cm." This one is genuinely bidirectional: type in either field and the other updates live, so you cover both directions without a swap button. It is fast because the result appears as you type, it includes a built-in table for the values you repeat most, and it accepts the mixed fractions people actually read from rulers and patterns. Decimal, nearest fraction, and feet-plus-inches results stay together, and everything runs entirely in your browser — no sign-up or tracking of what you enter.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cm to inches?
Divide the centimeter value by 2.54, because 1 inch equals exactly 2.54 cm. For example, 30 cm / 2.54 = 11.81 inches. This tool does the math for you the moment you type.
How many inches is 1 cm?
One centimeter is about 0.3937 inches. Put another way, it takes roughly 2.54 cm to make a single inch.
Can this tool also convert inches to cm?
Yes. It is fully bidirectional on one page — type a decimal or common fraction such as 7 1/2 into the inches field and the centimeter value updates instantly. To go from inches to cm by hand, multiply the inch value by 2.54.
Can I enter fractional inches?
Yes. The inches field accepts simple fractions such as 1/2, mixed fractions such as 7 1/2, hyphenated forms such as 7-1/2, and ordinary decimals. Practical output can be rounded to the nearest 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, or 1/64 inch.
Is the conversion exact?
The 1 inch = 2.54 cm relationship is an exact international definition, so the math is exact. The tool only rounds the displayed result for readability; the underlying calculation is precise.
Does my data leave my browser?
No. Every conversion runs locally in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, stored, or tracked, and the tool keeps working even if you go offline.