A foot is exactly 0.3048 meters.
Feet to Meters Converter — ft to m
Convert Foot (ft) to Meter (m) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot = 0.3048 meter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Feet to Meters converter
Converter
Length Converter
Convert SI, imperial, US customary, astronomical, scientific, and historical length units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
The meter is the SI base unit of length.
Result = input x 0.3048 / 1.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Feet to Meters
Foot and Meter both measure length. Foot is typically associated with united States (height, construction, aviation altitude), while Meter is typically associated with standard length unit worldwide except the US.
Formula
meters = feet × 0.3048
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 foot equals 0.3048 base units, and 1 meter equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-to-meter factor of 0.3048.
Simple example
1 ft × 0.3048 = 0.3048 m
1 foot = 0.3048 meters.
Real-world example
10 ft × 0.3048 = 3.048 m
10 feet = 3.048 meters.
Conversion table
| Foot (ft) | Meter (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m |
| 5 ft | 1.524 m |
| 10 ft | 3.048 m |
| 21.0975 ft | 6.430518 m |
| 42.195 ft | 12.861036 m |
| 100 ft | 30.48 m |
Reverse conversion: Meter to Foot
0.3048 m × 3.280839895 = 1 ft
0.3048 meters = 1 foot.
feet = meters × 3.28083989501
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Meter to Foot.
Foot vs. Meter
| Aspect | Foot | Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US/imperial customary unit | SI base unit |
| Typical use | Height measurement in the US and UK | Universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the US |
| Where it's used | United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) | Standard length unit worldwide except the US |
Understanding the Foot
Foot (ft) measures distance. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) United Kingdom (height, some construction contexts)
Uses of the Foot today
- Height measurement in the US and UK
- US construction and real estate (square footage)
- Aviation altitude worldwide (feet remain standard even in metric countries)
History of the Foot
The foot has ancient roots (Roman 'pes', various regional English feet), standardized into the modern English foot over centuries. The international foot (exactly 0.3048 m) was fixed by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, resolving small historical differences between US and UK measurements.
Historical origin. Foot was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Meter
Meter (m) measures distance. The meter is the SI base unit of length, currently defined via the fixed speed of light. It is classified as a SI base unit.
Where it's used: Standard length unit worldwide except the US
Uses of the Meter today
- Universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the US
- Construction, engineering, and manufacturing internationally
History of the Meter
Defined during the French Revolutionary metric reforms as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator, the meter has been redefined several times for precision — a platinum-iridium bar (1889), a krypton-86 wavelength (1960), and since 1983, the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Historical origin. Meter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Foot — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern foot at exactly 0.3048 meters.
Meter — sources
- BIPM — The metre (SI base unit) — Current definition and history of the meter.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in 1 foot?
1 foot equals 0.3048 meters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot to meter?
Multiply the foot value by 0.3048. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert meter back to foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 meter equals 3.280839895 feet. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a foot?
Foot (ft) measures distance. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a meter?
Meter (m) measures distance. The meter is the SI base unit of length, currently defined via the fixed speed of light. It is classified as a SI base unit.
Is the foot to meter conversion exact?
Yes. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Where is the foot still used today?
United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) United Kingdom (height, some construction contexts)