Centimeter to Inch
1 cm =0.39370079in
About Centimeter to Inch
Centimeters and inches are two of the most commonly used length units in the world. The centimeter is part of the metric system used by the vast majority of countries, while the inch is the standard small-length unit in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a handful of other places. Converting between them comes up constantly: when you measure a TV screen, check a piece of luggage, or read clothing size charts.
To convert centimeters to inches, divide the value in centimeters by 2.54. Equivalently, multiply by 0.3937007874. Inches = Centimeters × 0.3937007874.
For example, to convert 20 cm to inches: 20 × 0.3937 = 7.874 inches. So a 20 cm ruler is about 7.87 inches long.
Centimeter to Inch table
| Centimeter (cm) | Inch (in) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.39370079 |
| 2 | 0.78740157 |
| 5 | 1.96850394 |
| 10 | 3.93700787 |
| 15 | 5.90551181 |
| 20 | 7.87401575 |
| 25 | 9.84251969 |
| 30 | 11.81102362 |
| 50 | 19.68503937 |
| 100 | 39.37007874 |
Common use cases
- 01Sizing TVs, monitors, and laptop screens (often listed in inches in the US, cm in Europe)
- 02Comparing luggage dimensions across airline rules from different countries
- 03Reading clothing size charts that switch between metric and imperial
- 04Converting craft and sewing measurements between patterns
- 05Translating product specifications between regions
A bit of history
The inch was historically defined as the width of a thumb. In 1959, an international agreement standardized it to exactly 2.54 centimeters, which is the definition used today.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches are in 1 cm?+
1 centimeter equals 0.3937007874 inches.
How many cm are in 1 inch?+
1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters.
Is 30 cm equal to 1 foot?+
30 cm equals 11.811 inches, which is just under 1 foot (1 foot is exactly 30.48 cm).
How do I quickly estimate cm to inches?+
A quick mental shortcut: divide cm by 2.5. The result is slightly higher than the true value, but close enough for everyday estimates.
Need the reverse?
Convert Inch to Centimeter →