Height Converter - CM to Feet
Convert between centimeters and feet/inches instantly with our free bidirectional height converter
Conversion Result
Common Heights Reference
| Centimeters | Feet & Inches | Inches | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 4' 11.1" | 59.1 in | 1.50 m |
| 155 cm | 5' 1.0" | 61.0 in | 1.55 m |
| 160 cm | 5' 3.0" | 63.0 in | 1.60 m |
| 165 cm | 5' 5.0" | 65.0 in | 1.65 m |
| 170 cm | 5' 6.9" | 66.9 in | 1.70 m |
| 175 cm | 5' 8.9" | 68.9 in | 1.75 m |
| 180 cm | 5' 10.9" | 70.9 in | 1.80 m |
| 185 cm | 6' 0.8" | 72.8 in | 1.85 m |
| 190 cm | 6' 2.8" | 74.8 in | 1.90 m |
| 195 cm | 6' 4.8" | 76.8 in | 1.95 m |
| 200 cm | 6' 6.7" | 78.7 in | 2.00 m |
Understanding Height Measurement Systems
Height measurement varies across the world, with two dominant systems in everyday use. The metric system, adopted by the vast majority of countries, measures height in centimeters (cm) and meters (m). The imperial system, still widely used in the United States, the United Kingdom (informally), and a handful of other countries, expresses height in feet and inches. One foot equals exactly 30.48 centimeters, and one inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. These conversion factors were internationally standardized in 1959, when the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa jointly defined the international inch as precisely 25.4 millimeters.
Converting between centimeters and feet/inches is one of the most common unit conversions people perform. Whether you are reading a medical record from another country, filling out a visa application, shopping for clothing online from an international retailer, or comparing your height with friends from different regions, knowing how to move between these systems is practical and essential. The conversion itself is straightforward: divide centimeters by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide the total inches by 12 to get feet, with the remainder being the leftover inches.
Height plays an important role in many health calculations. Body Mass Index (BMI) requires height in meters, while many clinical ideal weight formulas (such as the Devine, Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi equations) use height in inches above five feet. Drug dosing, nutritional planning, and even ergonomic assessments for workplace equipment all depend on accurate height data. An error in height conversion can cascade into incorrect BMI readings, wrong medication dosages, or poorly fitted equipment, which is why using a reliable conversion tool matters more than it might first appear.
Average adult height varies significantly by country and region. The Netherlands has one of the tallest average male heights at approximately 183.8 cm (6 feet 0.4 inches), while countries in Southeast Asia average closer to 165 cm (5 feet 5 inches) for men. For women, the global average is approximately 159 cm (5 feet 2.6 inches). Understanding where your height falls relative to population averages can provide useful context, but remember that height alone does not determine health. What matters most is maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and getting regular checkups regardless of how tall or short you may be.
How to Use This Height Converter
- Choose your conversion direction by clicking either "CM to Feet" or "Feet to CM" at the top of the form.
- Enter your height value. For centimeters, type the number directly. For feet/inches, enter feet and inches in their separate fields.
- Click the "Convert Height" button to see your results instantly. The converter shows the equivalent in all units: cm, feet/inches, total inches, and meters.
- View the visual height ruler to see where your height falls on the scale, along with your estimated ideal weight range and a link to the full Ideal Weight Calculator.
- Scroll down to the common heights reference table to quickly look up other popular height conversions without re-entering values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centimeters are in one foot?
One foot equals exactly 30.48 centimeters. This is derived from the fact that one inch equals 2.54 centimeters and there are 12 inches in a foot (12 x 2.54 = 30.48). This conversion factor was internationally standardized in 1959 and is used universally in science, engineering, and everyday conversions.
How do I convert cm to feet and inches?
To convert centimeters to feet and inches manually: first, divide the centimeter value by 2.54 to get total inches. Then divide the total inches by 12. The whole number is the feet, and the remainder is the inches. For example, 175 cm divided by 2.54 equals 68.90 inches. Divide 68.90 by 12 to get 5 feet with 8.9 inches remaining, so 175 cm equals approximately 5 feet 8.9 inches.
What is 5 feet 7 inches in centimeters?
5 feet 7 inches equals 170.18 centimeters. To calculate this, convert feet to inches first (5 x 12 = 60 inches), add the remaining inches (60 + 7 = 67 inches), then multiply by 2.54 (67 x 2.54 = 170.18 cm). You can use our converter above to check any feet-to-cm conversion instantly.
Is 170 cm tall for a woman?
At 170 cm (approximately 5 feet 7 inches), a woman is taller than the global female average of about 159 cm (5 feet 2.6 inches). In most countries, 170 cm would be considered above average for women. In the United States, the average adult woman is about 161.3 cm (5 feet 3.5 inches), so 170 cm is noticeably taller than average. In the Netherlands, where the female average is about 170 cm, it would be considered exactly average.
What is the average height for men and women worldwide?
The global average height for adult men is approximately 171 cm (5 feet 7.3 inches), and for adult women it is approximately 159 cm (5 feet 2.6 inches). These averages vary significantly by country. The tallest averages are found in Northern Europe (Netherlands, Denmark, Norway), where men average around 180-184 cm. The shortest averages are in parts of Southeast Asia and Central America, where men average around 160-165 cm.
Why do some countries use feet and others use centimeters?
The imperial system (feet and inches) originated in England and spread through the British Empire. The metric system was developed in France in the 1790s and was gradually adopted by most countries for its simplicity and decimal-based logic. Today, the United States is the only major country that officially uses the imperial system for everyday measurements. The UK uses a mix of both systems: people commonly describe their height in feet and inches colloquially, but medical records and official documents typically use centimeters. Nearly every other country uses the metric system exclusively.
How accurate is this height converter?
This converter is mathematically exact. It uses the internationally standardized conversion factor of 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters, which has been the official definition since 1959. The results are rounded to one decimal place for readability, but the underlying calculation is precise. The only source of inaccuracy would be in the height measurement itself. For the most accurate height measurement, stand against a wall without shoes, with your heels, back, and head touching the wall, and measure first thing in the morning (you are typically 1-2 cm taller in the morning than in the evening due to spinal compression throughout the day).
