Height Converter
Free height converter — instantly convert between feet, inches, and centimeters with bidirectional chart. Perfect for medical records, fitness tracking, and international travel.
Feet & Inches
About This Calculator
This height converter lets you convert between feet, inches, and centimeters instantly with bidirectional input — enter any field and the others update automatically. Whether you need to convert your height for medical records, fitness tracking, international travel, or simply comparing heights with friends across different unit systems, this tool handles it all with real-time results.
The conversion uses the internationally recognized standard: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters, as defined by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959. To convert feet and inches to centimeters, the formula is: total inches = (feet × 12) + inches, then multiply by 2.54. For reverse conversion from centimeters to feet and inches: total inches = cm ÷ 2.54, feet = floor of total inches ÷ 12, and remaining inches = total inches − (feet × 12).
The height converter also includes a visual chart that shows a doughnut distribution and bar comparison of your height across all three units, making it easy to understand the relationship between metric and imperial measurements at a glance.
Regional Notes
India (IN): India officially uses centimeters for medical records, government forms, and official documents. However, in everyday conversation, people commonly describe height in feet and inches. This converter helps bridge the gap between the two systems.
United States (US): The US primarily uses feet and inches for height in all contexts from driver's licenses to medical records to everyday conversation. This converter is essential for Americans needing to convert to centimeters for international travel or medical research.
United Kingdom (UK): The UK uses a mix — centimeters on official medical records and passports, but feet and inches remain common in everyday conversation for personal height. The NHS uses metric (cm) in clinical settings. This converter helps UK residents switch between both systems seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Height Converter work?
Enter your height in feet plus inches or directly in centimeters. The other fields update automatically using the standard conversion formula: 1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters. For example, 5 feet 6 inches converts to 167.6 cm.
Is this height converter accurate for medical use?
Yes, the height converter uses the internationally accepted medical conversion factor of exactly 2.54 cm per inch, which is the standard defined by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959 and used by healthcare professionals worldwide.
How do I convert 5 feet 10 inches to centimeters?
To convert 5 feet 10 inches to centimeters: first convert 5 feet to inches (5 × 12 = 60 inches), add 10 inches (total 70 inches), then multiply by 2.54 (70 × 2.54 = 177.8 cm). So 5 feet 10 inches equals 177.8 centimeters.
What is 170 cm in feet and inches?
170 cm converts to approximately 5 feet 6.9 inches. Divide 170 by 2.54 to get 66.93 total inches, then divide by 12 to get 5 feet with 6.93 inches remaining. Rounded to the nearest inch, 170 cm equals 5 feet 7 inches.
What is the formula for converting height between metric and imperial?
The formula is: 1 inch = 2.54 cm. To convert feet and inches to cm: total inches = (feet × 12) + inches, then cm = total inches × 2.54. To convert cm to feet and inches: total inches = cm ÷ 2.54, feet = floor(total inches ÷ 12), remaining inches = total inches − (feet × 12).
Which countries use feet and inches vs centimeters for height?
The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom commonly use feet and inches for height. Most other countries including India, Australia, and all European nations use centimeters. India officially uses the metric system for medical and official records but feet and inches remain common in everyday conversation.