Length Converter
Convert distance between metric and imperial units, from millimeters to miles.
Learn how it works: How to Convert Centimeters to InchesHow to use the length converter
Type a number, choose the unit you are starting from, and pick the unit you want. The converted distance shows instantly, and the swap button flips the two units when you need to go the other way.
It handles the metric staples, meters and kilometers, alongside imperial favorites like feet, yards, and miles. The nautical mile is there too, for charts and aviation.
Common length conversions
| 1 inch | 2.54 centimeters |
| 1 foot | 30.48 centimeters |
| 1 yard | 0.9144 meters |
| 1 mile | 1.60934 kilometers |
| 1 kilometer | 0.621371 miles |
| 1 meter | 3.28084 feet |
About length units
Most of the world measures distance in metric units, built on the meter and scaled by powers of ten. That tidy structure makes kilometers, meters, and centimeters easy to move between.
The United States still leans on the imperial system for everyday distance: inches and feet for height, miles for road signs. Because the two systems grew up separately, converting between them takes the odd-looking factors this tool keeps exact, like 2.54 centimeters to the inch.
Frequently asked questions
- How many centimeters are in an inch?
- One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. The inch was formally defined against the centimeter, so the figure is precise rather than rounded.
- How do I convert miles to kilometers?
- Multiply the number of miles by 1.60934. So 5 miles is about 8.05 kilometers. To go the other way, divide kilometers by that same figure or use the swap button.
- How many feet are in a meter?
- One meter is about 3.28084 feet, a little over three and a quarter feet. Three meters comes to just under 10 feet.
- What is a nautical mile?
- A nautical mile is 1,852 meters, slightly longer than a land mile. It is based on the curvature of the Earth and is used in sea and air navigation.