global • USD

Length Converter

Convert meters to feet, km to miles, inches to cm & 50+ length units instantly. Used by builders, travelers & fitness enthusiasts. Free, no sign-up, displays up to 15 decimals.

Last revised 29 September 2026

By Team GlobalCalqulate · About our editorial standards

Length Conversion

Value

Enter the length value to convert.

From Unit

Select the unit you want to convert from.

To Unit

Select the unit you want to convert to.

Decimal Places

Number of decimal places for the result (max 15).

Disclaimer: This converter uses exact, internationally defined conversion factors, but results are for general reference only. For legal surveys, engineering blueprints, medical dosing, or other precision-critical work, verify figures with a certified measurement source. Full disclaimer.

Sources & methodology

Formula:: Two-step conversion through a base unit
Reference:: Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM)
Content last updated:: September 2026
Scheduled re-verification:: September 2027

Calculation type: Exact calculation. Figures are taken from Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and International Astronomical Union (IAU) and NIST / NOAA National Geodetic Survey — see sources below.

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Two-step conversion through a base unit

value_out = (value_in × factor_in→the metre) ÷ factor_out→the metre

Every length unit is defined as a multiple of the metre. A conversion goes in to the metre and back out again, so one factor per unit covers every possible pair rather than needing a factor for each combination.

Variable definitions

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
factor	Conversion factor. how many metres one unit represents	m

Step-by-step calculation

1. Choose the unit you have
The value is converted to metres first.
2. Choose the unit you want
Metres are then converted out to the target unit.

Limitations

The conversion factors are exact by definition, not measured, so the only error in a result is the rounding you choose for display.
This page uses the international foot (1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly). The US survey foot (1200/3937 m) differs by about 2 parts per million and was retired for new work on 1 January 2023 — it still matters when reading older US land survey records.
Rounding is applied to the displayed figure only; the conversion itself runs at full floating-point precision. Chaining many rounded conversions by hand will drift, but a single conversion here will not.

This page is educational. It converts between units using the defined or standard factors shown above, so the arithmetic is exact to the precision displayed — but a converted value is only as good as the measurement behind it, and some units are defined only under stated conditions. Where a conversion is safety-critical or contractual, check it against the governing standard rather than relying on this page.

Sources & references

The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM)
NIST Special Publication 811: Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — Appendix B.6, exact conversion factors — National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
IAU resolutions — the astronomical unit fixed at 149 597 870 700 m (2012 B2) and the parsec defined as 648 000/π au (2015 B2) — International Astronomical Union (IAU)
The US survey foot and the international foot (US survey foot retired for new work, 1 January 2023) — NIST / NOAA National Geodetic Survey

Verified against internationally recognized measurement standards (BIPM SI Brochure, NIST, and other applicable standards); see the sources above for the specific documents used. Every factor on this page is exact by definition rather than an empirical measurement, except where the page says otherwise — so results are limited only by the display rounding you choose. Standards review: August 2026.

Help & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common questions to help you use this calculator confidently.

How do you convert meters to feet?

Tap to view the answer

Multiply meters by 3.28084. Example: 2 meters × 3.28084 = 6.56 feet. To go the other way, divide feet by 3.28084 to get meters.

How do you convert centimeters to inches?

Tap to view the answer

Divide centimeters by 2.54. Example: 170 cm ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 inches. To go the other way, multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.

How do you convert kilometers to miles?

Tap to view the answer

Multiply kilometers by 0.621371. Example: 10 km × 0.621371 = 6.21 miles. To go the other way, divide miles by 0.621371 to get km.

What is 5 feet 10 inches in centimeters?

Tap to view the answer

Convert to total inches first (5 × 12 + 10 = 70 inches), then multiply by 2.54: 70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm. This is one of the most common height conversions people search for.

How accurate is this length converter?

Tap to view the answer

It uses exact, internationally defined conversion factors (e.g. 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly, 1 mile = 1.609344 km exactly), so results are precise to the number of decimal places you choose. For legal surveys or engineering blueprints, use a certified measurement service instead.

Need more help? Contact support or email globalcalqulate@gmail.com

We typically reply within 24–48 hours.

More converters

All converters

Common Length Conversions

Common length and distance conversions
From	To	Conversion
1 inch	2.54 cm	2.54
1 foot	12 inches	0.3048 m
1 meter	3.2808 feet	3.2808
1 meter	39.37 inches	39.37
1 km	0.6214 miles	0.6214
1 mile	1.609 km	1.609
1 mile	5,280 feet	5280
1 yard	3 feet	0.9144 m
1 nautical mile	1.852 km	1.852
1 cm	0.3937 inches	0.3937
5 km	3.107 miles	3.107
10 km	6.214 miles	6.214
100 m	328.08 feet	328.08

Exact conversions per NIST SP 811. 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly.

Understanding Your Results

Meter (m)
The SI base unit of length. Defined as the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Foot (ft)
Imperial unit. 1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly.
Inch (in)
Imperial unit. 1 in = 2.54 cm exactly.
Kilometer (km)
Metric unit for long distances. 1 km = 1,000 m.
Mile (mi)
Imperial unit. 1 mi = 1,609.344 m.
Nautical Mile (NM)
Used in aviation and marine. 1 NM = 1,852 m.

Key Tips

✓
1 m ≈ 3.28084 ft (exactly 1 ÷ 0.3048); to convert meters to feet, multiply by 3.28084.
✓
1 ft = 0.3048 m; to convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048.
✓
1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly; 1 cm ≈ 0.3937 inches.
✓
1 km ≈ 0.621371 miles; 1 mile = 1.609344 km exactly.
✓
For height: 180 cm = 5'11" (approx).
✓
Screen sizes are typically measured in inches diagonally.

Understanding Length Units

What is Length?

Length is the distance between two points. The SI base unit, the meter, has been defined since 1983 as the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second — replacing the physical reference bar once kept in Paris.

Metric vs Imperial

The metric system (meters, kilometers, centimeters) is used worldwide, while the imperial system (feet, inches, miles) is used mainly in the US and UK.

Conversions

Converting between units is essential for engineering, construction, travel, and everyday life. Mistakes here are easy to make by hand and costly to carry forward.

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Two-step conversion through a base unit

value_out = (value_in × factor_in→the metre) ÷ factor_out→the metre

Variable definitions

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
factor	Conversion factor. how many metres one unit represents	m

Step-by-step calculation

1. Choose the unit you have
The value is converted to metres first.
2. Choose the unit you want
Metres are then converted out to the target unit.

Limitations

The conversion factors are exact by definition, not measured, so the only error in a result is the rounding you choose for display.
This page uses the international foot (1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly). The US survey foot (1200/3937 m) differs by about 2 parts per million and was retired for new work on 1 January 2023 — it still matters when reading older US land survey records.
Rounding is applied to the displayed figure only; the conversion itself runs at full floating-point precision. Chaining many rounded conversions by hand will drift, but a single conversion here will not.

Calculator inputs

Length Conversion

Your results

Sources & methodology

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Two-step conversion through a base unit

Variable definitions

Step-by-step calculation

Limitations

Sources & references

How do you convert meters to feet?

How do you convert centimeters to inches?

How do you convert kilometers to miles?

What is 5 feet 10 inches in centimeters?

How accurate is this length converter?

Related calculators

More converters

Calculator inputs

Length Conversion

Your results

Sources & methodology

How to Use This Calculator

Example: Convert 1 Meter to Feet

Common Length Conversions

Understanding Your Results

Key Tips

Understanding Length Units

What is Length?

Metric vs Imperial

Conversions

Formula & methodology

Formula used

Two-step conversion through a base unit

Variable definitions

Step-by-step calculation

Limitations

Sources & references

How to Use This Calculator

Example: Convert 1 Meter to Feet

Common Length Conversions

Understanding Your Results

Key Tips

Understanding Length Units

What is Length?

Metric vs Imperial

Conversions