Height gets measured in different units depending on where you are
In Bangladesh and most of South Asia, height is commonly described in feet and inches in everyday conversation — "I'm 5 feet 8 inches." Medical records, clinical guidelines, and international health standards use centimetres or metres. Clothing sizes from European brands use centimetres. American sizing uses feet and inches. Aviation, ergonomics, and sports science use various combinations of these.
A height converter handles the translation between all of these systems instantly.
Height Unit Systems
Metric
- Metres (m) and centimetres (cm) — 1 m = 100 cm
- The international standard for health, science, and medicine
- Most countries outside the US and UK use metric for everyday height
Imperial / US Customary
- Feet (ft) and inches (in) — 1 foot = 12 inches
- Used in everyday conversation in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the US, UK, and Canada
- A "6-foot person" is 72 inches = 182.88 cm
Conversion factors
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm (exact, by international standard)
- 1 foot = 30.48 cm
- 1 metre = 3.28084 feet = 3 feet 3.37 inches
Quick Conversion Reference
| Feet & Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|
| 5′ 0″ | 152.4 cm |
| 5′ 2″ | 157.5 cm |
| 5′ 4″ | 162.6 cm |
| 5′ 5″ | 165.1 cm |
| 5′ 6″ | 167.6 cm |
| 5′ 7″ | 170.2 cm |
| 5′ 8″ | 172.7 cm |
| 5′ 10″ | 177.8 cm |
| 6′ 0″ | 182.9 cm |
| 6′ 2″ | 187.9 cm |
How to Use the Height Converter on sadiqbd.com
- Enter your height value — in whatever unit you have.
- Select the source unit — cm, m, feet/inches, or inches.
- Read the converted height — the equivalent in your target unit.
The converter handles the feet-and-inches combination cleanly — you don't need to convert feet to total inches first.
Real-World Examples
Medical forms and health records
A patient in Bangladesh is 5 feet 7 inches tall. A hospital form requires height in centimetres.
5 ft 7 in = (5 × 30.48) + (7 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 17.78 = 170.18 cm
Rounded to 170 cm for the record. This is the kind of routine conversion that comes up constantly at clinics, pharmacies, and health checkups.
Clothing and online shopping
Buying clothes from a European retailer — their size guide uses centimetres. You're 5 ft 9 in.
5 ft 9 in = (5 × 30.48) + (9 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 22.86 = 175.26 cm
The size guide says your height corresponds to a "M/L" in European sizing. Without the conversion, you're guessing.
Health calculators requiring metric input
Many health calculators — BMI, BMR, calorie intake — require height in centimetres. If you know your height in feet and inches, a quick conversion gives you the input you need.
5 ft 4 in = 162.56 cm
Travel: checking minimum/maximum height requirements
An airline's seatbelt extension policy applies to passengers over 6 ft 2 in. A theme park ride has a minimum height of 120 cm. Converting between systems takes seconds with the converter.
6 ft 2 in = 187.96 cm — the airline policy applies 120 cm = 3 ft 11.24 in — easy to check against a child's height
Why Feet and Inches Persist Alongside Metric
Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan officially use the metric system, but feet and inches remain deeply embedded in everyday height discussions, construction (plot sizes, room dimensions), and informal contexts. This dual-system reality makes conversion a practical daily need rather than an occasional curiosity.
The construction industry in Bangladesh commonly uses both systems — floor plans in feet and inches, regulatory documents in metres. A 10-foot ceiling is 304.8 cm; a standard 8-foot room is 243.84 cm. These conversions come up regularly in property, architecture, and interior design.
Tips for Height Conversions
Remember the key anchor: 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly. This is the international standard, defined exactly. All other height conversions derive from this.
For quick mental estimates: 1 foot ≈ 30 cm. This gives you a fast rough conversion — 5 feet is roughly 150 cm, 6 feet is roughly 180 cm. The converter gives you the precise value.
Watch out for "5 feet 8" vs "5.8 feet". These are different. 5 feet 8 inches = 172.7 cm. 5.8 feet = 5 feet 9.6 inches = 176.8 cm. When entering in feet, be clear whether you mean feet+inches or decimal feet.
Use consistent units in health calculations. If you're tracking BMI or calorie burn over time, always enter height in the same unit to avoid inconsistencies in results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cm is 5 feet 5 inches? 5 ft 5 in = (5 × 30.48) + (5 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 12.7 = 165.1 cm
What is 170 cm in feet and inches? 170 ÷ 30.48 = 5.577 feet = 5 feet + 0.577 × 12 = 5 feet + 6.93 inches ≈ 5 feet 7 inches
Is there a simple way to convert feet to cm in my head? Multiply feet by 30 for a rough estimate: 5 feet ≈ 150 cm, 6 feet ≈ 180 cm. Then add 2.5 cm per inch. So 5 ft 8 in ≈ 150 + 20 = 170 cm (exact: 172.7 cm).
Are height measurement conventions the same for children? Yes — the same units and conversions apply. Paediatric growth charts are typically available in both cm (metric countries) and feet/inches (US). The converter works for any age.
Is the height converter free? Yes — completely free, no sign-up required.
Height conversion is one of those small friction points that comes up whenever you cross between measurement systems — in health records, online shopping, property listings, and travel. Having a reliable converter makes it a non-issue.
Try the Height Converter free at sadiqbd.com — instant conversion between feet/inches and centimetres.
