The inch and the centimeter both have exact definitions, so converting between them is a precise calculation, not an approximation.
How it works
Dividing centimeters by 2.54 gives inches; multiplying inches by 2.54 gives centimeters back. Type into either field and the other updates instantly.
What this does not include
This does not include feet-and-inches formatting (like 5’7″) — this calculator gives a single decimal inches value.
How to use this calculator
- Enter a value in either centimeters or inches — the other field fills in automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Why exactly 2.54 cm per inch?
It’s the exact international definition set by a 1959 agreement among English-speaking countries, standardizing the inch as precisely 0.0254 meters.
Where is this conversion most commonly needed?
Height measurements, clothing and shoe sizing, and reading product dimensions listed in the “wrong” unit system for your country.
Was the inch always exactly 2.54 cm?
No — before the 1959 international agreement, slightly different inch definitions existed in different countries; the modern exact 2.54 cm definition standardized this.
