Convert centimeters to inches in a snap
1 cm ÷ 2.54 = 0.394 in
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Ever tried buying a TV overseas or following a DIY tutorial with unfamiliar measurements? That momentary panic when you see "58 cm screen" or "30 cm clearance needed" – we've all been there. Converting centimeters to inches doesn’t have to feel like solving quantum physics. Let's break it down so you can measure with confidence, whether you're sizing up furniture, checking luggage limits, or decoding international product specs.
Unit definitions
What is a centimeter (cm)?
- Description: The centimeter is your go-to metric unit for everyday measurements
- Symbol: cm
- Common uses: Clothing sizes, school rulers, medical charts
- Definition: 1/100 of a meter. If a meter stick seems too long for measuring your bookshelf, centimeters save the day.
What is an inch (in)?
- Description: The inch remains king in imperial measurement territories
- Symbol: in or "
- Common uses: TV screens, smartphone displays, plumbing parts
- Definition: Officially 2.54 cm since 1959. Fun fact – it originally came from the width of a human thumb!
Conversion formula
The magic number here is 2.54. To convert centimeters to inches:
inches = centimeters ÷ 2.54
Need to go the other way? Flip it:
centimeters = inches × 2.54
Example calculations
- That 58 cm TV we mentioned earlier?
58 cm ÷ 2.54 = 22.83 inches (a solid 23" screen) - Standard A4 paper width:
21 cm ÷ 2.54 = 8.27 inches
Now you see why US letter size (8.5" wide) doesn't quite match!
Conversion tables
Centimeters to inches
| cm | inches |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.3937 |
| 5 | 1.9685 |
| 10 | 3.9370 |
| 20 | 7.8740 |
| 30 | 11.8110 |
| 50 | 19.6850 |
| 100 | 39.3701 |
Inches to centimeters
| inches | cm |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.54 |
| 5 | 12.7 |
| 10 | 25.4 |
| 12 | 30.48 |
| 24 | 60.96 |
| 36 | 91.44 |
| 60 | 152.4 |
Historical background
The inch has walked quite the evolutionary path. Ancient Romans used "unciae" (1/12 of a foot), while medieval English kings tried standardizing it via barleycorns. The modern 2.54 cm definition only became universal in 1959 – before that, different countries had variations up to 0.001% difference. Imagine teh headache for international trade!
Centimeters got their start during the French Revolution's measurement reform. The metric system's decimal base made conversions easier than imperial's mix of 12s, 3s, and 1760s. Though some still prefer inches for certain applications, most scientists wouldn't trade their metric rulers for anything.
Interesting facts
- Your smartphone screen? Measured diagonally in inches, but case dimensions usually use centimeters
- Tailors use centimeters for precise measurements, while fabric rolls often show inches
- NASA uses metric units, but converted to imperial for some public communications
- A 2.54 cm cube weighs exactly 1 avoirdupois ounce (28.35g) when made of water
- Basketball hoops are 45.72 cm (18") diameter – try converting that next game!
FAQ
The 2.54 factor comes from the international agreement in 1959 that defined 1 inch as exactly 2.54 centimeters, creating a standardized conversion.
You can divide the centimeter value by 2.5 for rough estimates. For better accuracy, use 2.54 and do the division manually.
Yes! One centimeter equals about 0.3937 inches, meaning you need roughly 2.54 cm to make 1 inch.
Our tool provides up to 4 decimal places. For most practical uses, 2 decimal places are sufficient.
Screen sizes typically use inches diagonally, but many countries list centimeter equivalents in parentheses.