1 in = 2.54 cm
| Inch (in) | Centimeter (cm) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | 0.635 |
| 0.5 | 1.27 |
| 1 | 2.54 |
| 2 | 5.08 |
| 3 | 7.62 |
| 4 | 10.16 |
| 5 | 12.7 |
| 6 | 15.24 |
| 8 | 20.32 |
| 10 | 25.4 |
| 12 | 30.48 |
| 15 | 38.1 |
| 18 | 45.72 |
| 24 | 60.96 |
| 30 | 76.2 |
| 36 | 91.44 |
| 48 | 121.92 |
| 60 | 152.4 |
| 72 | 182.88 |
| 96 | 243.84 |
To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54. One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters.
1 in = 2.54 cm
Convert 15 inches to cm: 15 × 2.54 = 38.1 cm
Convert 65 inches (a 65” TV) to cm: 65 × 2.54 = 165.1 cm diagonal
To convert centimeters to inches, divide the centimeters by 2.54.
\u2022 1 inch (2.54 cm) is roughly the width of your thumb at the first knuckle.
\u2022 12 inches (30.48 cm) is the length of a standard ruler.
\u2022 55 inches (139.7 cm) is the diagonal of a 55” television screen.
\u2022 72 inches (182.88 cm) is the height of a standard interior door (6 feet).
Inches and centimeters are the two most commonly used small-length units for everyday measurements. The inch is standard in the United States, Canada (partially), and the UK, while the centimeter is used in virtually every other country.
The conversion factor is exact: 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. This was established by international agreement in 1959 and makes the math refreshingly simple compared to many other unit conversions.
One of the most frequent uses of this conversion is for screen sizes. Television, monitor, laptop, and phone screens are measured diagonally in inches worldwide, but many consumers think in centimeters. A 27-inch monitor has a diagonal of 68.58 cm. A 6.7-inch phone screen is 17.02 cm. Knowing the conversion helps when comparing devices across different markets.
International clothing sizes often require converting body measurements between inches and centimeters. Waist, chest, hip, and inseam measurements may be listed in either unit depending on the brand and country. A 32-inch waist is 81.28 cm, while a 34-inch inseam is 86.36 cm.
Crafters, seamstresses, and DIY enthusiasts frequently switch between inches and centimeters. Sewing patterns from different countries use different units. Woodworking plans, knitting gauges, and scrapbook layouts all benefit from quick conversion between these units.
To roughly convert inches to centimeters in your head, multiply by 2.5. It’s slightly less than the exact 2.54, but fast and easy: 10 inches × 2.5 = 25 cm (actual: 25.4 cm). Close enough for quick estimates.
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. This is a precise, internationally agreed-upon definition.
Multiply the number of inches by 2.54. For example, 8 inches × 2.54 = 20.32 cm.
5 inches equals 12.7 centimeters (5 × 2.54 = 12.7).
One inch is bigger. It equals 2.54 centimeters, so an inch is about 2.5 times longer than a centimeter.
10 cm equals approximately 3.937 inches (10 ÷ 2.54 = 3.937).