Convert inches to centimeters (in to cm)
To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the value in inches by 2.54. It is handy for screen sizes, US furniture and clothing measurements, sewing patterns and heights quoted in inches. This inches to cm converter works both ways: type inches or centimeters into either box above and the other box, the worked formula and the chart below update as you type.
The inch (in or ″) is a unit of the imperial and US customary systems. Its name comes from the Latin uncia, “one twelfth”, and since the 1959 international yard and pound agreement it has been exactly 25.4 millimeters. Inches measure TV, laptop and phone screens worldwide, as well as height, waist sizes, wheel rims and timber in the US. One inch is 2.54 centimeters.
The centimeter (cm), or centimetre, is one hundredth of a meter. It belongs to the metric system that France introduced in the 1790s and that is now used almost everywhere. Going the other way, one centimeter equals 0.393701 inches. Centimeters are the everyday unit for body height, clothing and shoe measurements, paper sizes and furniture in India, Europe and most of the world.
How to convert inches to cm with this tool
- Type a number into the Inches (in) box — it starts at 12 in as an example.
- Read the answer in the Centimeters (cm) box and in the result panel, which also shows the formula with your number.
- To go the other way, type into the centimeters box, or press the swap button to open the CM to Inches converter with your value carried over.
- Choose how many decimal places you want, or tap a quick value such as 6 in, 12 in, 15.6 in.
- Press Copy result to paste the conversion into a message, spreadsheet or note.
Inches to CM converter features
Converts both ways
Type in the inches box to get centimeters, or in the centimeters box to get inches. The other box follows instantly.
Exact factor
Calculations use 1 in = 2.54 cm, and rounding is applied only to the answer you see — choose Auto or 0–10 decimal places.
Formula with your number
The working is shown under the result, for example 12 in × 2.54 = 30.48 cm, so you can check it or copy the method.
Quick values and chart
Tap common values like 6 in, 12 in, 15.6 in, or read the inches-to-centimeters table further down this page.
Feet-and-inches view
Long measurements are also shown as feet plus inches, for example 70 in = 5 ft 10 in.
Inches to CM formula
The formula is cm = in × 2.54. It is exact because the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters since 1959.
The reverse formula is in = cm ÷ 2.54 — or use the CM to Inches converter. Three worked examples:
- A 12-inch ruler: 12 in × 2.54 = 30.48 cm
- A 15.6-inch laptop screen: 15.6 in × 2.54 = 39.624 cm
- A 55-inch TV (diagonal): 55 in × 2.54 = 139.7 cm
Inches to CM quick reference
The values people look up most often, worked out with the exact factor:
- 1 in = 2.54 cm
- 1 cm = 0.393701 in
- 6 in = 15.24 cm
- 12 in = 30.48 cm
- 15.6 in = 39.624 cm
- 32 in = 81.28 cm
Quick tip: To estimate in your head, multiply by 2.5: 12 in × 2.5 = 30 cm, close to the exact 30.48 cm. The shortcut is about 1.6% low.
Related conversions: Inches to MM, Feet to CM and the full length converter.
Inches to CM conversion table
Values in centimeters are rounded to 4 decimal places (more for very small numbers). For any value not listed, type it into the converter above.
| in | cm | in | cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.54 | 19 | 48.26 |
| 2 | 5.08 | 20 | 50.8 |
| 3 | 7.62 | 25 | 63.5 |
| 4 | 10.16 | 30 | 76.2 |
| 5 | 12.7 | 35 | 88.9 |
| 6 | 15.24 | 40 | 101.6 |
| 7 | 17.78 | 45 | 114.3 |
| 8 | 20.32 | 50 | 127 |
| 9 | 22.86 | 55 | 139.7 |
| 10 | 25.4 | 60 | 152.4 |
| 11 | 27.94 | 65 | 165.1 |
| 12 | 30.48 | 70 | 177.8 |
| 13 | 33.02 | 75 | 190.5 |
| 14 | 35.56 | 80 | 203.2 |
| 15 | 38.1 | 85 | 215.9 |
| 16 | 40.64 | 90 | 228.6 |
| 17 | 43.18 | 95 | 241.3 |
| 18 | 45.72 | 100 | 254 |
Inches to CM FAQ
How many centimeters is 6 in?
6 inches is 15.24 centimeters: 6 in × 2.54 = 15.24 cm.
How do I convert inches to cm?
Multiply the value in inches by 2.54. For example, 32 in × 2.54 = 81.28 cm. To convert back, divide the value in centimeters by 2.54 — or use the CM to Inches converter.
How many inches are in one centimeter?
One centimeter is 0.3937 inches, because 1 cm ÷ 2.54 = 0.3937 in.
What is 32 inches in centimeters?
How many cm is 5 feet 6 inches?
First turn it into inches: 5 × 12 + 6 = 66 in. Then 66 in = 167.64 cm. For heights in feet and inches, the height converter does both steps for you.