1. Take your cm value
Measure or note the length in centimeters, for example 25 cm.
CMToInches CM to Inches Converter
100% Free, Instant & Accurate Centimeters to Inches Length Converter.
Key features
- ⇄ Two-way live conversion
- 📏 Fractional inches to 1/32″
- 🎯 0–5 decimal precision
- 📋 1–100 lookup tables
- 🔒 100% private, in-browser
Two-way centimeters and inches converter
cm
cm
Type centimeters — inches update instantly.
in
in
Type inches — centimeters update instantly.
Result
10 cm = 3.94 in
Fractional inches
3 15/16″
Feet & inches
0 ft 3.94 in
Also equals
100 mm · 0.1 m
0visual scale
CM to Inches Formula Explained
Since 1959, the international inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. That makes every conversion an exact division or multiplication.
Centimeters → Inches
in = cm ÷ 2.54
1 cm = 0.393700787 in
10 ÷ 2.54 = 3.94 in
Inches → Centimeters
cm = in × 2.54
1 inch = 2.54 cm (exact)
3.94 × 2.54 = 10 cm
Quick Conversion Lookup Table
Common values, rounded to your selected decimal places. Click any row to load it.
| Centimeters | Inches (decimal) | Inches (fraction) |
|---|
How to Convert Centimeters to Inches
2. Divide by 2.54
25 ÷ 2.54 = 9.8425 in. Multiplying by 0.393700787 gives the same answer.
3. Round or use fractions
Round to 9.84 in, or read it on a tape measure as about 9 27/32″.
Why is 1 inch exactly 2.54 cm?
Under the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa agreed that one yard equals exactly 0.9144 meters. Because a yard has 36 inches, one inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. CMToInches uses this exact definition, so results are precise rather than approximate.
Common uses
Converting cm to inches is useful for screen and TV sizes, height (e.g. 170 cm ≈ 5 ft 6.93 in), clothing and shoe measurements, picture frames, furniture, woodworking and 3D printing. Fractional inch readouts match the markings on US tape measures and rulers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert centimeters to inches?
Divide the number of centimeters by 2.54. For example, 30 cm ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 inches. You can also multiply centimeters by 0.393700787.
How many inches are in a centimeter?
One centimeter equals 0.393700787 inches, or roughly 0.39 inches — a little less than 2/5 of an inch.
What is the exact formula for converting cm to inches?
inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54. This is exact because the international inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters since the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
How do I convert inches to centimeters?
Multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 12 inches × 2.54 = 30.48 cm.
How many centimeters are in a foot?
One foot (12 inches) equals exactly 30.48 centimeters.
How do I read centimeters as fractional inches?
Convert to decimal inches first, then round the decimal part to the nearest fraction such as 1/8 or 1/16. For example, 10 cm = 3.937 in, which is about 3 15/16 inches to the nearest 1/16.
Is this cm to inches converter private?
Yes. All calculations run locally in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing you type is sent to a server.