Centimeter is 0.01 meter units.
Centimeters to Meters Converter — cm to m
Convert Centimeter (cm) to Meter (m) using the exact conversion factor (1 centimeter = 0.01 meter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Centimeters 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 0.01 / 1.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Centimeters to Meters
Centimeter and Meter both measure length. Centimeter is typically associated with standard small-length unit worldwide except the US, while Meter is typically associated with standard length unit worldwide except the US.
Formula
meters = centimeters × 0.01
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 centimeter equals 0.01 base units, and 1 meter equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct centimeter-to-meter factor of 0.01.
Simple example
1 cm × 0.01 = 0.01 m
1 centimeter = 0.01 meters.
Real-world example
10 cm × 0.01 = 0.1 m
10 centimeters = 0.1 meters.
Conversion table
| Centimeter (cm) | Meter (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.01 m |
| 5 cm | 0.05 m |
| 10 cm | 0.1 m |
| 21.0975 cm | 0.210975 m |
| 42.195 cm | 0.42195 m |
| 100 cm | 1 m |
Reverse conversion: Meter to Centimeter
0.01 m × 100 = 1 cm
0.01 meters = 1 centimeter.
centimeters = meters × 100
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Meter to Centimeter.
Centimeter vs. Meter
| Aspect | Centimeter | Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | SI derived (metric prefix) unit | SI base unit |
| Typical use | Everyday small-object and body measurement (height, clothing sizes) outside the US | Universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the US |
| Where it's used | Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US | Standard length unit worldwide except the US |
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 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.
Centimeter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — SI prefixes — Defines 'centi-' as the prefix for 10⁻².
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 centimeter?
1 centimeter equals 0.01 meters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert centimeter to meter?
Multiply the centimeter value by 0.01. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert meter back to centimeter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 meter equals 100 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 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 centimeter to meter conversion exact?
Yes. Both centimeter and meter are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.01 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the centimeter still used today?
Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US