How to convert inches to centimetres
Enter a length in inches and read it in centimetres. The result updates as you type, and you can swap the units or copy the answer.
The inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres, agreed internationally in 1959, so every result is exact.
1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
Formula: centimetres = inches × 2.54
- Multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
- For a quick estimate, multiply by 2.5. It runs about 1.6% low, so add a little for anything that matters.
Common conversions
| Inches (in) | Centimetres (cm) |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.54 cm |
| 2 in | 5.08 cm |
| 3 in | 7.62 cm |
| 6 in | 15.24 cm |
| 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 48 in | 121.92 cm |
| 60 in | 152.4 cm |
| 72 in | 182.88 cm |
Values are computed by the same converter as above, rounded to six significant digits. Need the other direction? See Centimetres to Inches.
Worked examples
A television
Screen sizes are measured on the diagonal. A 55 inch television is 55 in = 139.7 cm.
A waist measurement
A 32 inch waist: 32 in = 81.28 cm.
A ruler
A 12 inch ruler is 12 in = 30.48 cm, which is why a 30 cm ruler is close to but not the same as a foot.
Things to keep in mind
- Clothing and shoe sizes are labels, not lengths. Use this converter for measurements, and check the maker’s size chart for sizes.
- Screen and tyre sizes are nominal. A "27 inch" monitor is a diagonal measured to the edge of the visible panel, so its exact size may differ slightly.