5'7" is 67 inches, which is 170.2 cm (about 1.70 m).

Height Converter — cm to feet inches and vice versa

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Quick Answer

To convert centimetres to feet and inches, divide the centimetre value by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12 — the whole number is feet and the remainder is inches. For example, 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 in = 5 ft 9 in. To go the other way, multiply (feet × 12 + inches) by 2.54, so 5 ft 9 in = 175.3 cm. One inch is exactly 2.54 cm, so every conversion here is precise rather than approximate.

How to Use the Height Converter

Enter your height value — in any format: centimetres (175), metres (1.75), inches (69), decimal feet (5.75), or feet and inches (5ft 9in or 5'9").
Select your input unit — choose from cm, metres, inches, feet (decimal), or feet+inches.
Read all conversions at once — the calculator shows cm, metres, inches, total feet, and the feet+inches format simultaneously.
Check the reference table — common heights in both systems are listed below for quick comparison without any calculation.
Copy the result — use the output for profiles, medical forms, or international communication.

What Is Height Conversion?

Height conversion is the process of expressing a single height in a different unit without changing the actual measurement. The world uses two systems for personal height. The metric system (centimetres and metres) is the standard for roughly 195 countries and for nearly all medical and scientific records. The imperial system (feet and inches) is used mainly in the United States, and informally in the United Kingdom, where official documents are metric but everyday speech stays imperial.

The two systems are linked by one exact number: 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres. This is a defined value, not a measured approximation, so conversions between the systems are exact. Related derived values follow from it: 1 foot = 30.48 cm, 1 metre = 39.3701 in = 3.28084 ft, and 1 metre = 100 cm.

Height Conversion Formulas

Centimetres → feet and inches

total_inches = cm ÷ 2.54 then split into feet and inches: feet = ⌊ total_inches ÷ 12 ⌋ inches = total_inches − (feet × 12)

Feet and inches → centimetres

cm = ( (feet × 12) + inches ) × 2.54

Metres ↔ centimetres

cm = metres × 100 · metres = cm ÷ 100

Exact conversion factors: 1 in = 2.54 cm · 1 ft = 30.48 cm · 1 m = 100 cm = 39.3701 in = 3.28084 ft. The 2.54 cm/inch factor was fixed by the 1959 international yard-and-pound agreement and is maintained by NIST.

Worked Examples

Example 1 — 175 cm to feet and inches

Divide by 2.54: 175 ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 inches. Divide by 12: 68.9 ÷ 12 = 5 feet with 8.9 inches left over. Result: 5 ft 8.9 in ≈ 5'9".

Example 2 — 5 ft 10 in to centimetres

Convert to total inches: (5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches. Multiply by 2.54: 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm (1.78 m).

Example 3 — 1.68 m to feet and inches

Metres to centimetres: 1.68 × 100 = 168 cm. Then 168 ÷ 2.54 = 66.14 inches = 5 feet 6.1 inches. Result: ≈ 5'6".

Height Reference Table (cm ↔ feet & inches)

Common adult heights from 4'10" to 6'6", with exact centimetre, metre, and total-inch values. All figures use 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

Feet & Inches	Centimetres	Metres	Total Inches
4′ 10″	147.3 cm	1.47 m	58 in
4′ 11″	149.9 cm	1.50 m	59 in
5′ 0″	152.4 cm	1.52 m	60 in
5′ 1″	154.9 cm	1.55 m	61 in
5′ 2″	157.5 cm	1.57 m	62 in
5′ 3″	160.0 cm	1.60 m	63 in
5′ 4″	162.6 cm	1.63 m	64 in
5′ 5″	165.1 cm	1.65 m	65 in
5′ 6″	167.6 cm	1.68 m	66 in
5′ 7″	170.2 cm	1.70 m	67 in
5′ 8″	172.7 cm	1.73 m	68 in
5′ 9″	175.3 cm	1.75 m	69 in
5′ 10″	177.8 cm	1.78 m	70 in
5′ 11″	180.3 cm	1.80 m	71 in
6′ 0″	182.9 cm	1.83 m	72 in
6′ 1″	185.4 cm	1.85 m	73 in
6′ 2″	188.0 cm	1.88 m	74 in
6′ 3″	190.5 cm	1.91 m	75 in
6′ 4″	193.0 cm	1.93 m	76 in
6′ 5″	195.6 cm	1.96 m	77 in
6′ 6″	198.1 cm	1.98 m	78 in

Metric vs Imperial: Quick Comparison

Aspect	Metric (cm / m)	Imperial (ft / in)
Where used	~195 countries; all medical & scientific records	United States; informal use in the UK
Base	Decimal — 1 m = 100 cm	Mixed — 1 ft = 12 in
Personal-height format	175 cm or 1.75 m	5′9″ (say "five foot nine")
Everyday precision	Nearest centimetre	Nearest inch
Average adult man	≈ 175 cm	≈ 5′9″

Note on spelling: "centimetre/metre" (British and Commonwealth) and "centimeter/meter" (American) refer to exactly the same units — only the spelling differs.

Where Height Conversion Is Used

🛂 Passports & visas

Most non-US passport and visa forms request height in centimetres, while US forms use feet and inches. Converting correctly avoids a rejected or flagged application.

🏥 Medical forms & BMI

Drug dosing, growth charts, and BMI all use metric. If a formula needs your height, convert to metres first, since BMI = weight(kg) ÷ height(m)².

👗 Clothing & inseam

European sizing uses centimetres for inseam and sleeve length; US sizing uses inches. Converting ensures the right fit when shopping across borders.

🏀 Sports rosters

The same athlete is listed as 6′7″ in the NBA and 200 cm in European leagues. Converting lets you compare stats across competitions.

💬 Profiles & travel

Dating profiles, forums, and international introductions often mix systems. A quick conversion makes a stated height instantly understandable.

🪑 Ergonomics & furniture

Desk, chair, and doorway sizing guidance is published in whichever system the manufacturer uses; converting helps you match specs to your own height.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️ 5′11″ ≠ 5.11 ft

Feet-and-inches is not a decimal. 5′11″ means 5 feet plus 11 inches = 5.917 ft = 180.3 cm. Typing "5.11 ft" means 5 ft 1.3 in = 155.7 cm — a 25 cm error.

⚠️ Writing 5′12″

Inches only run from 0 to 11. If rounding pushes inches to 12, roll over to the next foot: 5′12″ should be written 6′0″.

⚠️ Forgetting the inches

When converting feet-and-inches to cm, convert the whole height. For 5′10″ use (5×12)+10 = 70 in, not just 5×12 = 60 in.

⚠️ Using 2.5 instead of 2.54

Rounding the factor to 2.5 cm/inch introduces a ~1.5% error — about 2.7 cm at adult heights. Always use the exact 2.54.

Height in Context

Average heights worldwide

Global averages are roughly 171 cm (5′7″) for men and 159 cm (5′3″) for women, but they vary widely by country. The tallest national averages for men are in the Netherlands (about 183–184 cm), Montenegro, and Denmark; some of the shortest are in parts of South and Southeast Asia and Central America. These differences reflect genetics, nutrition, and healthcare access, and averages have risen substantially over the past century as living conditions improved.

Height changes during the day

You are measurably taller in the morning. Over a day, the spinal discs compress slightly under body weight, so most people lose roughly 1–2 cm by evening and regain it overnight. For consistent tracking, measure at the same time of day, standing straight against a wall with heels together and no shoes.

Quick mental estimate: multiply height in feet by 30 for an approximate centimetre value (5 ft × 30 ≈ 150 cm vs an exact 152.4 cm). Close enough for a rough sense, but use the calculator above whenever accuracy matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert cm to feet and inches?

Divide the centimetre value by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide by 12. The whole number is feet and the remainder is inches. Example: 175 cm ÷ 2.54 = 68.9 in = 5 ft 8.9 in ≈ 5'9".

How tall is 6 feet in cm?

6 feet = 72 inches = 182.88 cm, usually rounded to 183 cm. For reference: 5'0" = 152.4 cm, 5'6" = 167.6 cm, 5'9" = 175.3 cm, 6'0" = 182.9 cm, 6'3" = 190.5 cm.

Is 5'11" the same as 5.11 feet?

No. Feet-and-inches is not a decimal. 5'11" = 5 feet + 11 inches = 5.917 feet = 180.3 cm. The number 5.11 feet means 5 feet 1.3 inches = 155.7 cm — nearly 25 cm shorter.

How many cm is 5'7"?

5'7" is 67 inches. Multiplying by 2.54 gives 170.2 cm (about 1.70 m), close to the global average height for men.

What is the average height worldwide?

Global average male height is about 171 cm (5'7") and female height about 159 cm (5'3"). Averages are highest in the Netherlands, Montenegro, and Denmark, and lower in parts of South and Southeast Asia, per the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration.

Why is 1 inch exactly 2.54 cm?

The 1959 international yard-and-pound agreement defined the inch as exactly 2.54 cm. Because it is a defined value rather than a measurement, conversions between inches and centimetres are exact, not approximate.

Should I enter my height in cm or feet and inches on a form?

Use centimetres for most international and medical forms (Europe, Asia, South America, and most passport applications). Use feet and inches for US forms and US databases. When in doubt, provide both.

Does my height change during the day?

Yes. Spinal discs compress under body weight, so most people are roughly 1–2 cm shorter by evening and return to full height after resting overnight. For consistent records, measure at the same time each day.

References

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — definition of the inch and SI length units: nist.gov/pml/owm/si-units-length
International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) — the metre, SI base unit: bipm.org/en/measurement-units
NCD Risk Factor Collaboration — "A century of trends in adult human height," eLife (2016): ncdrisc.org

Last updated: 10 July 2026 · Conversions use the exact factor 1 inch = 2.54 cm.