Height Converter

Convert height between centimetres and feet/inches instantly. Useful for medical records, fitness tracking, and international travel.

Centimetres → Feet & Inches
Feet & Inches → Centimetres

Height Conversion Reference Chart

cmFeet & InchesDecimal FeetCategory

Height Conversion in a Health Context

Why height matters in health

Height is used to calculate BMI, ideal body weight, body fat percentage, and medication dosages. Most countries use centimetres (cm) in medical records, while the US and UK commonly use feet and inches for personal use.

Common height conversions
  • 5ft 0in = 152.4 cm
  • 5ft 4in = 162.6 cm (average woman, US)
  • 5ft 7in = 170.2 cm
  • 5ft 10in = 177.8 cm (average man, US)
  • 6ft 0in = 182.9 cm
  • 6ft 3in = 190.5 cm

Frequently Asked Questions

Divide centimetres by 30.48 to get total feet (decimal). Take the whole number as feet. Multiply the decimal remainder by 12 to get inches. For example: 175 cm ÷ 30.48 = 5.741 ft → 5 ft and 0.741 × 12 = 5 ft 8.9 in.

5 feet 10 inches = (5 × 30.48) + (10 × 2.54) = 152.4 + 25.4 = 177.8 cm. This is approximately the average male height in the United States.

Average male heights range from about 159 cm (5ft 3in) in some Southeast Asian countries to 183 cm (6ft 0in) in the Netherlands. For women, the range is roughly 150–171 cm. The global average male height is approximately 171 cm (5ft 7in) and female average is 159 cm (5ft 3in).

The conversion factors are: 1 inch = 2.54 cm and 1 foot = 30.48 cm (since 1 foot = 12 inches, and 12 × 2.54 = 30.48). To convert a height in feet and inches to centimetres, multiply the number of feet by 30.48 and the number of inches by 2.54, then add them together. Example: 5 feet 10 inches = (5 × 30.48) + (10 × 2.54) = 152.40 + 25.40 = 177.80 cm. To convert centimetres back to feet and inches, divide by 30.48 to get feet, then take the decimal portion and multiply by 12 to get the remaining inches.

For an accurate height measurement: stand without shoes on a hard, flat floor against a straight wall; keep your heels together, touching the wall; stand straight with your back flat against the wall, eyes looking forward; place a flat object (book or ruler) horizontally on your head and mark where it meets the wall. Measure from the floor to the mark. Time of day matters — most people are up to 1 cm taller in the morning after sleeping, as intervertebral discs rehydrate overnight and compress slightly throughout the day. Medical and clinical height measurements are typically taken in the morning for consistency.

Average male heights vary considerably by region. The Netherlands has the tallest population at approximately 182–183 cm (approximately 6 ft). Other tall populations include Montenegro, Bosnia, and Denmark (~181–182 cm). The global average male height is approximately 171 cm (5 ft 7 in). South and Southeast Asian countries (e.g., Indonesia, Vietnam) average around 162–165 cm. Heights have been increasing globally over the past century due to improvements in nutrition and healthcare. These are population averages — individual height varies widely within any country.

The United States is the primary country where feet and inches remain the standard for everyday height measurement. Canada officially uses the metric system but feet and inches are still widely used colloquially for height. The United Kingdom uses a mix — metric is official, but many people still express height in feet and inches. Most of the rest of the world — including all of Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Australia — uses centimetres for height. Medical and scientific contexts worldwide use centimetres and metres regardless of the country's everyday conventions.

Yes. Most people lose some height as they age, typically beginning in their 30s–40s and accelerating after 70. The primary cause is compression and dehydration of the intervertebral discs in the spine, which reduces the spacing between vertebrae. Other contributing factors include loss of muscle tone that supports posture, vertebral compression fractures (especially in women with osteoporosis), and changes in foot arch. On average, people lose about 1 cm per decade after age 40, with women losing more than men. By age 80, the cumulative loss can be 3–5 cm. Maintaining bone density through weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and vitamin D can slow this process. Consult a healthcare professional if you notice significant height loss.

Growth charts plot a child's height (and weight) against age and compare it to a reference population. The percentile indicates what proportion of children of the same age and sex are shorter than that child — a child at the 50th percentile is taller than 50% of peers. Growth charts used by doctors are based on large population samples, most notably the WHO Child Growth Standards (for children 0–5 years) and the CDC Growth Charts (for US children 2–20 years). A consistent percentile across visits is more important than an absolute value — a child consistently at the 10th percentile may be perfectly healthy. Sudden drops in percentile may warrant evaluation by a paediatrician. Consult a healthcare professional to interpret your child's growth data appropriately.

To convert 5 feet 10 inches to centimetres: multiply the feet by 30.48 and the inches by 2.54, then add the results. Calculation: (5 × 30.48) + (10 × 2.54) = 152.40 + 25.40 = 177.80 cm. This height (5'10" / 177.8 cm) is approximately the average height for adult males in the United States. In metres, this is 1.778 m.

About This Height Converter

This free height converter converts between centimetres, metres, and feet and inches. Enter a height in any format and all others update instantly — useful for medical forms, fitness profiles, and international travel where height is expressed differently.

When to use this converter

  • Converting cm to feet and inches for US-formatted forms
  • Converting height for fitness apps, dating profiles, or passports
  • Translating heights between metric and imperial systems

Standards & References

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