CM to Inches Converter
By Santaji GadepatilinUpdated October 27, 2026
Centimetres are the everyday metric unit for short lengths, while inches remain common in the US and for screens, tools and clothing. One inch is exactly 2.54 cm. This free CM to inches converter converts instantly in both directions and includes a quick reference table.
How to use the CM to inches converter
Type a value in centimetres or inches (or mm or feet) and the others update as you type.
CM to inches formula
inches = cm ÷ 2.54 cm = inches × 2.54
Example: a 30 cm ruler is 30 ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 inches. A 15.6-inch laptop screen is 15.6 × 2.54 = 39.6 cm across the diagonal.
Conversion table
| Centimetres | Inches |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.393701 in |
| 2 cm | 0.787402 in |
| 5 cm | 1.9685 in |
| 10 cm | 3.93701 in |
| 15 cm | 5.90551 in |
| 20 cm | 7.87402 in |
| 30 cm | 11.811 in |
| 50 cm | 19.685 in |
| 100 cm | 39.3701 in |
| Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 32 in | 81.28 cm |
| 55 in | 139.7 cm |
| 65 in | 165.1 cm |
Centimetres to inches chart (1–100 cm)
| cm | inches | cm | inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.394 | 16 | 6.299 |
| 2 | 0.787 | 17 | 6.693 |
| 3 | 1.181 | 18 | 7.087 |
| 4 | 1.575 | 19 | 7.48 |
| 5 | 1.969 | 20 | 7.874 |
| 6 | 2.362 | 25 | 9.843 |
| 7 | 2.756 | 30 | 11.811 |
| 8 | 3.15 | 40 | 15.748 |
| 9 | 3.543 | 50 | 19.685 |
| 10 | 3.937 | 60 | 23.622 |
| 11 | 4.331 | 70 | 27.559 |
| 12 | 4.724 | 75 | 29.528 |
| 13 | 5.118 | 80 | 31.496 |
| 14 | 5.512 | 90 | 35.433 |
| 15 | 5.906 | 100 | 39.37 |
Body measurements
Clothing sizes often use centimetres or inches:
| Measurement | cm | inches |
|---|---|---|
| Waist | 76 | 29.9 |
| Waist | 81 | 31.9 |
| Waist | 86 | 33.9 |
| Chest | 96 | 37.8 |
| Chest | 102 | 40.2 |
| Inseam | 81 | 31.9 |
Height in feet and inches
To convert a height in cm to feet and inches, divide by 2.54 to get inches, then divide by 12: 170 cm = 66.93 in = 5 ft 6.9 in. See the feet to metres converter for a full height table.
Definition
Since 1959 the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 cm, so conversions between them are exact.
Fractions of an inch
Imperial tools often show fractions: 1/16″ = 1.5875 mm, 1/8″ = 3.175 mm, 1/4″ = 6.35 mm, 1/2″ = 12.7 mm. Use the fraction to decimal converter to turn a fraction into a decimal inch first.
Screen and TV sizes
Screen sizes are measured diagonally in inches: a 55″ TV is about 140 cm, and a 6.1″ phone screen is about 15.5 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 cm?
1 cm is 0.3937 inches.
Is 2.54 exact?
Yes. One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm.
How many cm is 6 inches?
6 × 2.54 = 15.24 cm.
How many inches is 30 cm?
30 cm is 11.81 inches.
How many cm is 12 inches?
12 inches (1 foot) is 30.48 cm.