Centimeter is 0.01 meter units.
Centimeters to Feet Converter — cm to ft
Convert Centimeter (cm) to Foot (ft) using the exact conversion factor (1 centimeter = 0.032808399 foot). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Centimeters to Feet 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.
A foot is exactly 0.3048 meters.
Result = input x 0.01 / 0.3048.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Centimeters to Feet
Centimeter and Foot both measure length. Centimeter is typically associated with standard small-length unit worldwide except the US, while Foot is typically associated with united States (height, construction, aviation altitude).
Formula
feet = centimeters × 0.0328083989501
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 centimeter equals 0.01 base units, and 1 foot equals 0.3048 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct centimeter-to-foot factor of 0.0328083989501.
Simple example
1 cm × 0.03280839895 = 0.032808399 ft
1 centimeter = 0.032808399 feet.
Real-world example
10 cm × 0.03280839895 = 0.3280839895 ft
10 centimeters = 0.3280839895 feet.
Conversion table
| Centimeter (cm) | Foot (ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.032808399 ft |
| 5 cm | 0.1640419948 ft |
| 10 cm | 0.3280839895 ft |
| 21.0975 cm | 0.6921751969 ft |
| 42.195 cm | 1.384350394 ft |
| 100 cm | 3.280839895 ft |
Reverse conversion: Foot to Centimeter
0.032808399 ft × 30.48 = 1.000000002 cm
0.032808399 feet = 1.000000002 centimeters.
centimeters = feet × 30.48
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Foot to Centimeter.
Centimeter vs. Foot
| Aspect | Centimeter | Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Family | SI derived (metric prefix) unit | US/imperial customary unit |
| Typical use | Everyday small-object and body measurement (height, clothing sizes) outside the US | Height measurement in the US and UK |
| Where it's used | Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US | United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) |
Understanding the Centimeter
Centimeter (cm) measures distance. A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Where it's used: Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US
Uses of the Centimeter today
- Everyday small-object and body measurement (height, clothing sizes) outside the US
- Construction and manufacturing tolerances internationally
History of the Centimeter
The centimeter follows directly from the meter via the 'centi-' SI prefix (10⁻²), introduced with the metric system in the 1790s.
Historical origin. Centimeter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
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.
Centimeter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — SI prefixes — Defines 'centi-' as the prefix for 10⁻².
Foot — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern foot at exactly 0.3048 meters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many feet are in 1 centimeter?
1 centimeter equals 0.032808399 feet, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert centimeter to foot?
Multiply the centimeter value by 0.03280839895. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert foot back to centimeter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 foot equals 30.48 centimeters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a centimeter?
Centimeter (cm) measures distance. A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
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.
Is the centimeter to foot 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 centimeter still used today?
Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US