Inches to cm converter
Convert inches to centimeters instantly. The exact ratio is 1 inch = 2.54 cm, defined by international agreement.
Converting inches to cm
If you grew up with feet and inches and need to enter your height on a medical form, order from a metric-sized catalog, or communicate dimensions internationally, this is the tool. US-to-metric conversions for height, clothing, and furniture specs are the most common reason people search for inches to cm.
The conversion is exact: 1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters, defined by the 1959 international yard and pound agreement. This isn't a rounded approximation — it's the legal definition. Every value you see here is precise to the limits of floating-point arithmetic.
Ruler measurements
Common fractional and whole-inch measurements you'd find on a ruler or tape measure:
| Inches | Centimeters | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 in | 0.64 cm | Sewing seam |
| 0.5 in | 1.27 cm | Hem allowance |
| 1 in | 2.54 cm | Standard unit |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm | Small spacing |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm | Half ruler |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm | Ruler / 1 foot |
| 18 in | 45.72 cm | Half yard |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm | Yardstick |
US clothing waist sizes
US pants and jeans are sized by waist measurement in inches. Here's the metric equivalent:
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|
| 28 in | 71.12 cm |
| 30 in | 76.2 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm |
| 34 in | 86.36 cm |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 38 in | 96.52 cm |
| 40 in | 101.6 cm |
Frequently asked
Use the full length converter to convert between cm, meters, feet, inches, yards, miles, and more — all 14 units in one place.