Practical measurement guide

Height Conversion Guide

Convert feet and inches to centimeters with the total-inches formula, worked examples, and a height chart.

Convert feet to total inches, then multiply by 2.54 to get centimeters.
ft
in
cm
5 ft 8 in = 172.72 cm
68 total inches × 2.54 = 172.72 cm
Total inches68 in
Meters1.7272 m
Nearest 1/16 inch68"

Feet and inches formula

Convert feet to inches, add the remaining inches, then multiply total inches by 2.54. For example, 5'8" is 68 total inches, so 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 cm.

When to use centimeters

Centimeters are useful for international profiles, medical or school records, travel forms, and metric height charts.

Frequently asked questions

How do you convert feet and inches to cm?

Multiply feet by 12, add inches, then multiply total inches by 2.54.

What is 5'8" in cm?

5'8" equals exactly 172.72 cm.