Convert height between feet/inches, centimeters, and meters instantly
Height is one of the most commonly converted measurements, especially when dealing with international medical records, sports statistics, or personal data. The US uses feet and inches, while most other countries use centimeters or meters. Being able to quickly convert between these systems is essential for doctors, athletes, travelers, and anyone comparing data across borders.
The imperial system expresses height as feet and inches (e.g., 5'10"), while the metric system uses centimeters (e.g., 178 cm) or meters (e.g., 1.78 m). Medical records worldwide increasingly use metric, but everyday conversation in the US still relies on feet and inches.
This converter handles all common height formats, making it easy to fill out international forms, understand height requirements, or compare yourself to athletes and celebrities from different countries.
US standard format. Written as 5'10" or 5 ft 10 in. 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 cm.
Metric standard for height. Used in medicine worldwide. Average adult: 160-180 cm.
SI unit for length. Heights expressed as decimals (1.75 m). Preferred in scientific contexts.
Sometimes used in US medical/fitness contexts. 5'10" = 70 inches total.
| Description | Feet/Inches | Centimeters | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average US Woman | 5'4" | 163 cm | 1.63 m |
| Average US Man | 5'9" | 175 cm | 1.75 m |
| Average NBA Player | 6'6" | 198 cm | 1.98 m |
| Doorway Height | 6'8" | 203 cm | 2.03 m |
| Ceiling Height | 8'0" | 244 cm | 2.44 m |
| Tallest Person Ever | 8'11" | 272 cm | 2.72 m |
For rough cm to feet: divide by 30 for feet, remainder ÷ 2.5 for inches. 180 cm ≈ 6 feet (180÷30=6).
5 feet = 152.4 cm, 6 feet = 182.9 cm. Each inch adds about 2.5 cm.
International medical forms use cm. Remember: your height in cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54).
Many countries list height requirements in cm (amusement parks, military, etc.). Know your metric height!
5 feet = 60 inches. Add 10 inches = 70 inches total. Multiply by 2.54 = 177.8 cm. Alternatively: (5 × 30.48) + (10 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 25.4 = 177.8 cm.
The metric system is the international standard in medicine and science. It allows for more precise measurements and easier calculations, especially for drug dosages based on body size. Most countries outside the US use metric exclusively.
The Netherlands has the tallest average (6'0" / 183 cm for men). The US averages 5'9" (175 cm) for men. Asian countries average 5'5"-5'7" (165-170 cm). Genetics, nutrition, and healthcare all affect national averages.
For most purposes, rounding to the nearest half-inch or centimeter is fine. Height varies by 1-2 cm throughout the day (taller in morning, shorter at night due to spinal compression). Medical contexts may require more precision.
A US patient fills out an international medical form that requires height in centimeters and meters.
Result5'10" = 177.8 cm = 1.778 m (70 total inches)
Convert feet to inches: 5 ft x 12 = 60 in. Add the remaining inches: 60 + 10 = 70 in. Multiply by 2.54 cm/in to get 177.8 cm. Divide by 100 to express in meters: 1.778 m. Reverse check: 177.8 cm / 30.48 = 5.833 ft, and 0.833 x 12 = 10 in, confirming 5'10".
Multiply feet by 30.48 and inches by 2.54, then add the two results. For example, 5'10" = (5 x 30.48) + (10 x 2.54) = 152.4 + 25.4 = 177.8 cm. The conversion factor 2.54 cm per inch is exact by international agreement (NIST SP 811).
Height percentiles indicate where you fall in a population distribution. According to CDC NHANES data, US adult men average around 175.3 cm (5'9") and women around 161.5 cm (5'4"). The 50th percentile is the median, the 95th percentile is taller than 95% of the population, and the 5th percentile is shorter than 95%.
Averages vary significantly by region and genetics. The Netherlands records the tallest men globally at roughly 183-184 cm (6'0"). US men average around 175 cm (5'9"). East and Southeast Asian averages typically range from 165-172 cm (5'5"-5'8") for men. WHO Growth Standards provide reference curves used internationally.
Use metric (cm or m) for medical records, scientific documentation, international forms, and any context outside the US. Use feet and inches for everyday conversation in the US, UK driver's licenses, and US sports rosters. Medical and pharmaceutical dosing globally relies on metric for precision and safety.
Feet and inches use a prime and double-prime: 5'10" means 5 feet and 10 inches. Centimeters are written as a whole number with the unit: 178 cm. Meters use a decimal: 1.78 m. Avoid mixing formats; medical forms typically request one consistent unit to prevent transcription errors.
In 1959, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa adopted the International Yard and Pound Agreement, defining 1 inch as exactly 2.54 cm. This makes 1 foot = 30.48 cm and 1 meter = 39.3701 inches = 3.2808 ft. The definition is exact, so conversions introduce no rounding error at the source.
Yes. Adults are typically 1-2 cm (about 0.5 inch) taller in the morning than at night because spinal discs compress under gravity throughout the day. For consistent measurements, record height at the same time of day, ideally morning, with shoes off and back against a flat wall.
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