Centimeters to Inches Converter
1 centimeter = 0.393701 inches
The conversion from centimeters to inches bridges two measurement traditions in distance and dimension measurement. The inch was historically defined as the width of a man's thumb. Knowing that 1 cm equals 0.393701 in is useful for screen sizes, hardware fasteners, tire dimensions, and pipe diameters.
Did you know? Did you know? A standard smartphone screen is about 6 inches diagonally. The inch is primarily used for screen sizes, hardware fasteners, tire dimensions, and pipe diameters, while the centimeter is standard for body measurements, clothing sizes, screen sizes, and small-scale engineering.
Conversion Formula
inches = centimeters x 0.393701
To convert centimeters to inches, multiply by 0.393701. Since 1 inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm, dividing 1 by 2.54 gives 0.393701 inches per centimeter.
Centimeters to Inches Table
| Centimeters (cm) | Inches (in) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.393701 |
| 2.54 | 1 |
| 5 | 1.9685 |
| 10 | 3.93701 |
| 15 | 5.90551 |
| 30 | 11.811 |
| 50 | 19.685 |
| 100 | 39.3701 |
| 152 | 59.8425 |
| 180 | 70.8661 |
About Centimeters to Inches
The centimeters-to-inches conversion is one of the most practical everyday conversions, used for screen sizes, clothing measurements, and body height.
TV and monitor screens are measured diagonally in inches. A 55-inch TV has a diagonal of 139.7 cm. Phone screens, such as a 6.7-inch display, measure 17.02 cm diagonally. When shopping for international electronics, knowing this conversion avoids confusion.
Clothing sizes frequently require this conversion. European sizing is metric, while US and UK sizes use inches. A 32-inch waist equals 81.28 cm. A shirt collar size of 40 cm is about 15.75 inches.
For height, 170 cm converts to 66.93 inches or about 5'7". The average European doorway is 200 cm (78.74 inches) tall. Standard kitchen countertop height is 91.44 cm (36 inches).
Paper sizes also use both systems. A4 paper is 29.7 x 21 cm (11.69 x 8.27 inches), while US Letter is 11 x 8.5 inches (27.94 x 21.59 cm).
For quick mental math, divide centimeters by 2.5 to get an approximate inch value. So 25 cm is about 10 inches, and 10 cm is roughly 4 inches. For exact precision, divide by 2.54.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many inches is 10 cm?
10 centimeters equals 3.937 inches, or approximately 4 inches. This is roughly the width of a credit card.
How do I convert cm to inches for screen size?
Divide the screen diagonal in cm by 2.54. For example, a 140 cm diagonal is 55.12 inches - typically sold as a 55-inch TV.
What is 170 cm in feet and inches?
170 cm equals 66.93 inches, which is 5 feet 6.93 inches, commonly written as 5'7".
Why do some countries use cm and others use inches?
The metric system (cm) is used in most countries. The US, UK (partially), and a few others use inches for everyday measurements. This dates back to historical measurement systems predating metric standardization.