1 centimetre = 0.393700787 inches
Dividing by 2.54 is exact, but the useful shortcut is that 2.5 cm is almost an inch — a 1.6 percent error, small enough for clothing sizes and too large for machining.
Formula in = cm × 0.393700787402
Type in either field — the other updates on every keystroke. Need other units? Open the full length converter.
| Centimetre | Inch |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.393701 in |
| 2 cm | 0.787402 in |
| 3 cm | 1.181102 in |
| 4 cm | 1.574803 in |
| 5 cm | 1.968504 in |
| 10 cm | 3.937008 in |
| 15 cm | 5.905512 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874016 in |
| 25 cm | 9.84252 in |
| 50 cm | 19.685039 in |
| 100 cm | 39.370079 in |
| 500 cm | 196.850394 in |
| 1000 cm | 393.700787 in |
| Inch | Centimetre |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm |
| 4 in | 10.16 cm |
| 5 in | 12.7 cm |
| 10 in | 25.4 cm |
| 15 in | 38.1 cm |
| 20 in | 50.8 cm |
| 25 in | 63.5 cm |
| 50 in | 127 cm |
| 100 in | 254 cm |
| 500 in | 1270 cm |
| 1000 in | 2540 cm |
| Situation | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| A matchbox | 5 cm | 1.969 in |
| Postcard width | 15 cm | 5.906 in |
| A school ruler | 30 cm | 11.81 in |
| Waist | 80 cm | 31.5 in |
| Height | 170 cm | 66.93 in |
| Height | 180 cm | 70.87 in |
Divide by 2.5, which reads about 1.6% high. 10 cm is about 4 in, against an exact 3.94.
Clothing, screens, furniture and heights cross between centimetres and inches. A height of 170 cm is 66.93 in, about 5 ft 7 in.
Dividing by 2.5 overstates slightly, so use 2.54 for tailoring and woodwork.
Since the 1959 international agreement an inch is exactly 2.54 cm.
Related guides: Imperial vs metric: differences and quick conversion tricks