Cm to inches converter
Convert between centimeters (cm) and inches (in) instantly.
- Result
- 0.3937
How it's calculated
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. To convert cm to inches, divide by 2.54; to convert inches to cm, multiply by 2.54.
inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54
This is the conversion commonly used for screen and TV sizes, tire diameters, or clothing and shoe sizes of US origin.
centimeters = inches × 2.54
For a person's height, 150 cm is about 59 inches, 170 cm is about 66.9 inches, and 190 cm is about 74.8 inches. In electronics, common monitors range from 24 to 32 inches (61 to 81 cm) and TVs from 40 to 65 inches (102 to 165 cm), measured diagonally.
Worked example
180 cm equals 180 ÷ 2.54 ≈ 70.87 inches. A 15.6-inch laptop screen measures 15.6 × 2.54 ≈ 39.6 cm diagonally, and a 17-inch tire rim equals 43.18 cm.
Frequently asked questions
- How many inches is 1 cm?
- 1 centimeter equals 0.3937 inches.
- How many cm is 1 inch?
- 1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters.
- Does this work for screen or TV sizes?
- Yes, it's the same conversion used for screen, TV, and tire sizes measured in inches.
- How is a screen size measured in inches?
- The screen's diagonal is measured, corner to corner, not the width or height separately.
- Why is an inch exactly 2.54 cm?
- It comes from the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, which fixed the inch at exactly 2.54 cm to unify imperial and metric measurements.
- Is there a quick mental shortcut?
- For a rough estimate, divide centimeters by 2.5 instead of 2.54; the error is under 2%, good enough for a fast estimate.