Height Conversion Tool

Convert height between feet & inches, centimeters, and meters instantly.

Quick Reference: Height Conversions

Feet/Inches Centimeters Meters
5'0" 152.4 cm 1.524 m
5'5" 165.1 cm 1.651 m
6'0" 182.9 cm 1.829 m
6'5" 195.6 cm 1.956 m

Convert your height instantly! Use the calculator below for your exact measurements.

Feet & Inches

Centimeters

BMI Calculator

Height Context

About This Height Conversion Tool

Different countries use different height units—some use feet & inches, while others prefer centimeters or meters. Our free Height Converter instantly converts between feet, inches, cm, and meters. Whether you're filling forms, tracking growth, or comparing sports data, this tool gives quick and reliable results.

What makes our height converter essential? It provides instant results in ALL common height formats simultaneously - no need for multiple conversions. The tool handles precise fractional inches (perfect for medical measurements), works seamlessly on mobile devices, and includes helpful features like BMI calculation and global height comparisons.

Built for international use, this converter uses official measurement standards ensuring accuracy for medical records, travel documents, sports applications, and professional requirements. No registration required, no downloads needed - just accurate height conversion at your fingertips.

How to Use This Height Converter

Using our height converter is incredibly straightforward, but here's a quick walkthrough to get you started:

  1. Pick your starting unit: Know your height in feet and inches? Use the left input box. Got it in centimeters? Go with the right box. Either way works perfectly!
  2. Enter your measurements: Type your feet, then inches (decimals like 8.5 are totally fine). Or just punch in your centimeters. The magic happens instantly as you type.
  3. Watch the results appear: No "calculate" button needed! You'll immediately see your height in feet & inches, centimeters, meters, and total inches.
  4. Get extra insights: Want to know your BMI? Add your weight. Curious about height comparisons? Check out the context panel that shows how you compare to global averages.
  5. Explore the features: Toggle dark mode if you prefer, read the detailed content below, or bookmark this page for future conversions.

Pro Tips for Best Results:

Quick Height Conversion Reference

Sometimes you just need a quick lookup without typing anything. Here's a handy reference table with the most common height conversions:

Feet & Inches Centimeters Meters Total Inches
4' 8"142 cm1.42 m56"
4' 10"147 cm1.47 m58"
5' 0"152 cm1.52 m60"
5' 2"157 cm1.57 m62"
5' 4"163 cm1.63 m64"
5' 6"168 cm1.68 m66"
5' 8"173 cm1.73 m68"
5' 10"178 cm1.78 m70"
6' 0"183 cm1.83 m72"
6' 2"188 cm1.88 m74"
6' 4"193 cm1.93 m76"
6' 6"198 cm1.98 m78"

Fun fact: The tallest person ever recorded was Robert Wadlow at 8'11" (272 cm), while the average height varies dramatically by country - Dutch men average 6'0" (183 cm) while Guatemalan women average 4'10" (147 cm)!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert my height from feet to cm?
To convert your height from feet to centimeters, multiply the total inches by 2.54. For example, 5 feet 6 inches = 66 inches × 2.54 = 167.6 cm.
What is 170 cm in feet and inches?
170 cm is equal to 5 feet 6.9 inches. Our height converter instantly calculates this for you.
Is this height converter accurate?
Yes, the height converter uses standard unit formulas (1 inch = 2.54 cm) for accurate results.

Understanding Height Measurements: A Complete Guide

Height measurement might seem straightforward, but the world of imperial vs metric systems can be surprisingly complex. Let's dive into everything you need to know about measuring and converting height.

The Imperial System: Feet and Inches

The United States remains one of the few countries still using feet and inches for everyday height measurements. This system divides a foot into 12 inches, which can make mental math challenging. The imperial system has historical roots in human body measurements - a "foot" was literally based on the length of a human foot, though it's now standardized.

What's interesting is how Americans express height. We say "five foot eight" instead of "five feet eight inches," and we rarely convert to total inches in conversation. When precision matters (like in medical settings), fractional inches become important - hence measurements like 5'8.5".

The Metric System: Centimeters and Meters

Nearly every other country in the world uses the metric system for height. The beauty of metric lies in its simplicity - everything is based on powers of 10. There are 100 centimeters in a meter, making conversions within the metric system incredibly easy.

Most people globally express their height in centimeters (like 175 cm) rather than meters with decimals (1.75 m). This gives nice, whole numbers that are easy to remember and communicate. In medical and scientific contexts, meters might be preferred for consistency with other measurements.

When Height Conversion Becomes Essential

Modern life increasingly requires height conversion. International travel documents often need height in centimeters, while your US driver's license shows feet and inches. Online shopping from European retailers requires metric measurements for proper sizing. Sports applications might need both systems depending on the sport and region.

The rise of international dating apps and social media means people worldwide are sharing height information across different measurement systems. Having a reliable conversion tool isn't just convenient - it's becoming necessary for clear communication.

Sports and Height: Different Standards Worldwide

Interestingly, different sports prefer different measurement systems regardless of country. Basketball internationally uses both feet/inches and centimeters depending on the league. Soccer (football) typically uses centimeters worldwide. Swimming and track events universally use metric measurements.

Professional athletes often know their height in both systems because they compete internationally. This dual familiarity with measurements is becoming more common among regular people too.

Medical and Health Applications

Medical professionals need precise height measurements for calculating BMI, medication dosages, and growth charts. While the US medical system still often uses feet and inches, many medical calculations are easier with metric measurements. This is why our tool includes BMI calculation - it bridges that gap between how you know your height and how health calculations work.

Growth charts for children often show both measurement systems, but the underlying calculations typically use metric. Understanding both systems helps parents better track their children's development and communicate with healthcare providers.

Other Helpful Conversion Tools

Since you're converting heights, you might find these other measurement tools useful too: