Tailors in Pakistan measure in inches, furniture catalogues use centimetres, phone screens are sold in inches and school rulers show both. Knowing how to convert cm to inches saves a lot of confusion. This guide explains the formula, gives a handy chart and real examples, and our free CM to Inches Converter converter does any conversion instantly.
The formula
inches = centimetres ÷ 2.54
One inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres, by international agreement since 1959, so this conversion is exact.
Examples
- 30 cm ÷ 2.54 = 11.81 in (a standard ruler is 30 cm, about 12 inches)
- 165 cm ÷ 2.54 = 64.96 in, which is 5 ft 5 in
- 100 cm ÷ 2.54 = 39.37 in
Converting to feet and inches
For heights, divide total inches by 12. The whole number is feet and the remainder is inches.
170 cm ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 in. 66.93 ÷ 12 = 5 with 6.93 left over, so 5 ft 6.9 in, usually rounded to 5 ft 7 in. Our Feet to CM Converter converter goes the other way.
Quick chart
| cm | inches |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.39 |
| 5 | 1.97 |
| 10 | 3.94 |
| 15 | 5.91 |
| 20 | 7.87 |
| 25 | 9.84 |
| 50 | 19.69 |
| 100 | 39.37 |
Mental shortcut
Multiply centimetres by 4 and divide by 10. 25 cm × 4 = 100, ÷ 10 = 10 inches (exact answer 9.84). It is slightly high but good for quick estimates.
Everyday uses
- Clothes: waist and chest measurements for tailors, often in inches.
- Screens: TV and phone sizes are measured diagonally in inches.
- Furniture: check that a 180 cm sofa (70.9 in) fits your room.
- Photos and printing: a 15 × 10 cm print is about 6 × 4 inches.
- Packaging: box sizes on supplier sheets; see the Box Size Calculator.
For screen sizes specifically, read screen sizes in inches and cm.
Precision
For sewing and furniture, one decimal place is enough. For engineering drawings, keep two or three decimals. Our converter shows the result with sensible rounding while keeping full precision internally.
Taking body measurements for a tailor
Many tailors in Pakistan still work in inches, while online size charts from international brands use centimetres. Measure chest, waist and hips with a soft tape, keeping it snug but not tight, and write both units down. A 32-inch waist is 81.3 cm, and a 40-inch chest is 101.6 cm. Having both numbers ready makes ordering clothes online much easier.
Frequently asked questions
How many inches is 1 cm?
About 0.3937 inches.
How do I convert cm to inches?
Divide the centimetres by 2.54.
What is 5 ft 6 in in cm?
About 167.6 cm.
Is the 2.54 factor exact?
Yes. One inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm.