Centimeters To Inches Converter

Convert cm to inches quickly with a simple formula, examples, and a handy conversion table.

0.39

Table of Contents

Convert Centimeters to Inches

This cm to inches conversion helps when you see sizes written in centimeters but you need inches.

It is useful for clothes, screens, DIY projects, and measuring things at home or school.

Quick Answer

1 centimeter = 0.3937007874 inches

Example: 10 cm = 3.9370 in

Example: 25 cm = 9.8425 in

Conversion Formula

inches = centimeters × 0.3937007874

This means you multiply the number of centimeters by 0.3937007874 to get the same length in inches.

  • Write down the length in centimeters.
  • Multiply it by 0.3937007874.
  • Round the result if you need fewer decimals.

What Is Centimeter

A centimeter is a metric unit of length, equal to one hundredth of a meter.

It is commonly used for short, everyday measurements.

  • Measuring a pencil, book, or phone
  • Clothing sizes and body measurements
  • School science and math work
  • Furniture and home measuring
  • Small DIY and craft projects

What Is Inches?

An inch is a unit of length used in the US and a few other places.

It is part of the imperial and US customary measurement systems.

  • Measuring TV and phone screen sizes
  • DIY, woodworking, and tools
  • Height and body measurements in the US
  • Paper sizes and printing
  • Product dimensions in US stores

Real Life Examples

Here are some practical centimeter measurements converted into inches.

  • A phone that is 15 cm tall is about 5.91 inches tall.
  • A 30 cm ruler is about 11.81 inches long.
  • A laptop screen listed as 35.6 cm is about 14.02 inches.
  • A waist measurement of 80 cm is about 31.50 inches.
  • A shelf depth of 25 cm is about 9.84 inches.
  • A picture frame width of 40 cm is about 15.75 inches.
  • A bike handlebar width of 60 cm is about 23.62 inches.

Quick Tips

  • Fast estimate: inches are a bit less than half of centimeters.
  • Good mental shortcut: divide cm by 2.54 to get inches.
  • For rough math, use 1 cm ≈ 0.4 in (slightly overestimates).
  • For better accuracy, keep 2 to 4 decimal places, then round at the end.
  • When measuring real objects, small rounding differences usually do not matter.
  • If you need precision for cutting or printing, avoid rounding until the final step.

Table Overview

Centimeters (cm) Inches (in)
1 cm0.3937 in
2 cm0.7874 in
3 cm1.1811 in
4 cm1.5748 in
5 cm1.9685 in
6 cm2.3622 in
7 cm2.7559 in
8 cm3.1496 in
9 cm3.5433 in
10 cm3.9370 in
11 cm4.3307 in
12 cm4.7244 in
13 cm5.1181 in
14 cm5.5118 in
15 cm5.9055 in

FAQs

How do you convert cm to inches?

Multiply centimeters by 0.3937007874, or divide centimeters by 2.54.

How many inches are in 1 cm?

1 cm equals 0.3937007874 inches.

How many centimeters are in 1 inch?

1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters.

Why do I see slightly different answers online?

Most differences come from rounding. Some tools show fewer decimal places.

What is the easiest mental method for cm to inches?

Divide by 2.54. For a quick estimate, multiply cm by 0.4.

Is cm metric and inch imperial?

Yes. Centimeter is metric, and inch is used in the imperial and US customary systems.

Should I round inches to 1 or 2 decimals?

For everyday use, 1 to 2 decimals is fine. For precise work, keep more decimals and round at the end.