How to convert centimeters to inches
To convert centimeters to inches, multiply by 0.393700787402. An inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, so this conversion is exact and is needed for screen sizes, clothing, furniture and printing.
Centimeter to Inch conversion table
| Centimeter (cm) | Inch (in) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 cm | 0.0393700787402 in |
| 0.5 cm | 0.196850393701 in |
| 1 cm | 0.393700787402 in |
| 2 cm | 0.787401574803 in |
| 3 cm | 1.1811023622 in |
| 4 cm | 1.57480314961 in |
| 5 cm | 1.96850393701 in |
| 10 cm | 3.93700787402 in |
| 20 cm | 7.87401574803 in |
| 25 cm | 9.84251968504 in |
| 50 cm | 19.6850393701 in |
| 100 cm | 39.3700787402 in |
| 500 cm | 196.850393701 in |
| 1,000 cm | 393.700787402 in |
About the units
Centimeter (cm)
A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, widely used for body height, clothing sizes and everyday measurements outside the US.
Inch (in)
An inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. It is used in the US and UK for screen sizes, lumber and personal height.
How to use this converter
- Type the number of centimeters (cm) in the input box.
- The result in inches appears instantly — no button needed.
- See the same value in every other length unit just below.
- Use “Swap units” to convert inches back to centimeters.
When you’ll use the centimeter to inch conversion
You are buying a desk from a European store that lists its width as 140 cm. Converting gives about 55.1 inches, so you can check it fits the alcove in your home office.
A clothing size chart gives a waist of 81 cm. Converting to about 31.9 inches tells you which US size to order.
💡 For a quick estimate in your head, multiply by about 0.39 (the exact factor is 0.393700787402).
Watch out for these mix-ups
- Dividing by 2.5 instead of 2.54, which adds a small error.
- Mixing up the direction and multiplying instead of dividing.
- Rounding too early on long measurements.
- Comparing a nominal size with an actual measured size.
Tips for better results
- Divide centimeters by 2.54 to get inches.
- Keep one decimal place for furniture and clothing.
- Measure the space in both units to double-check.
💡 Practical tip: A 30 cm ruler is just under 12 inches — a quick way to estimate lengths in your head.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches are in one centimeter?
One centimeter equals 0.393700787402 inches. 0.393700787402 is the exact factor used by this converter.
How do I convert centimeters to inches?
Multiply the value in centimeters by 0.393700787402. To go the other way, multiply inches by 2.54.
What is 10 cm in in?
10 cm = 3.93700787402 in. Also, 5 cm = 1.96850393701 in and 100 cm = 39.3700787402 in.
What is the difference between a centimeter and a inch?
A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, widely used for body height, clothing sizes and everyday measurements outside the US. An inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. It is used in the US and UK for screen sizes, lumber and personal height.
Is this tool free and private?
Yes — the Centimeter to Inch is completely free with no sign-up, and it runs entirely in your browser, so the values you enter are never uploaded to our servers.
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