The meter is the SI base unit of length.
Meters to Feet Converter — m to ft
Convert Meter (m) to Foot (ft) using the exact conversion factor (1 meter = 3.280839895 foot). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Meters 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 1 / 0.3048.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Meters to Feet
Meter and Foot both measure length. Meter is typically associated with standard length unit worldwide except the US, while Foot is typically associated with united States (height, construction, aviation altitude).
Formula
feet = meters × 3.28083989501
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 meter equals 1 base unit, and 1 foot equals 0.3048 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct meter-to-foot factor of 3.28083989501.
Simple example
1 m × 3.280839895 = 3.280839895 ft
1 meter = 3.280839895 feet.
Real-world example
10 m × 3.280839895 = 32.80839895 ft
10 meters = 32.80839895 feet.
Conversion table
| Meter (m) | Foot (ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 m | 3.280839895 ft |
| 5 m | 16.40419948 ft |
| 10 m | 32.80839895 ft |
| 21.0975 m | 69.21751969 ft |
| 42.195 m | 138.4350394 ft |
| 100 m | 328.0839895 ft |
Reverse conversion: Foot to Meter
3.280839895 ft × 0.3048 = 1 m
3.280839895 feet = 1 meters.
meters = feet × 0.3048
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Foot to Meter.
Meter vs. Foot
| Aspect | Meter | Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Family | SI base unit | US/imperial customary unit |
| Typical use | Universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the US | Height measurement in the US and UK |
| Where it's used | Standard length unit worldwide except the US | United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) |
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.
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.
Meter — sources
- BIPM — The metre (SI base unit) — Current definition and history of the meter.
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 meter?
1 meter equals 3.280839895 feet, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert meter to foot?
Multiply the meter value by 3.280839895. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert foot back to meter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 foot equals 0.3048 meters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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.
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 meter 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 meter still used today?
Standard length unit worldwide except the US