Length Converter
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Length Units Explained
Metric Units
Millimeter (mm)
The smallest common metric unit. About the thickness of a credit card. Used for precise measurements.
Centimeter (cm)
Equal to 10 mm. About the width of a fingernail. Common for measuring small objects.
Meter (m)
The base metric unit. About the length of a guitar. Used for room dimensions, height, etc.
Kilometer (km)
Equal to 1,000 meters. Used for roads, distances between cities. About 0.62 miles.
Imperial Units
Inch (in)
About the length from fingertip to first knuckle. 12 inches = 1 foot. Used for screen sizes, small measurements.
Foot (ft)
12 inches. About the length of a ruler. Used for height, room dimensions in the US.
Yard (yd)
3 feet. About the length of a baseball bat. Used for fabric, sports fields.
Mile (mi)
5,280 feet. Used for road distances, running. About 1.6 kilometers.
Conversion Formulas
inches = cm × 0.3937
cm = inches × 2.54
feet = meters × 3.281
meters = feet × 0.3048
miles = km × 0.6214
km = miles × 1.609
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert feet to meters?
Multiply feet by 0.3048 to get meters. For example, 6 feet × 0.3048 = 1.83 meters. To convert meters to feet, multiply by 3.281. A quick estimate: 1 meter is about 3 feet 3 inches.
How many centimeters are in an inch?
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. This is a defined conversion, not an approximation. To convert inches to cm, multiply by 2.54. To convert cm to inches, divide by 2.54 (or multiply by 0.3937).
What's the difference between a mile and a kilometer?
A mile equals 1.609 kilometers, or a kilometer is about 0.62 miles. A useful approximation: multiply miles by 1.6 for km, or multiply km by 0.6 for miles. A 5K race is 3.1 miles; a marathon (26.2 miles) is 42.2 km.
Why doesn't the US use the metric system?
The US uses customary units (feet, inches, miles) due to historical British influence. While metric is used in science and medicine, everyday measurements remain in customary units. A 1975 act made metric voluntary, not mandatory, so adoption has been slow.