Convert meters to feet in seconds.
1 m x 3.28084 = 3.28084 ft
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Ever tried picturing the height of a basketball hoop in meters while your friend describes it in feet? Or maybe you’re renovating your home and the floor plans mix metric and imperial units. Converting meters to feet doesn’t have to feel like solving a riddle. Whether you’re a traveler, student, or DIY enthusiast, this guide breaks down the process so clearly, you’ll wonder why you ever stressed about it.
Unit definitions
What is a meter (m)?
The meter is the base unit for length in the International System of Units (SI). It’s used globally for scientific and everyday measurements.
- Symbol: m
- Common uses: Measuring rooms, athletic tracks, fabric lengths
- Definition: Since 1983, a meter is defined as the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second in a vacuum. Fancy, right?
What is a foot (ft)?
A foot is an imperial unit primarily used in the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.
- Symbol: ft
- Common uses: Human height, real estate, aviation altitudes
- Definition: One foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters. Historically, it was based on the average length of a man’s foot—hence the name.
Conversion formula
To convert meters to feet, multiply the meter value by 3.28084:
feet = meters × 3.28084
For feet to meters, reverse it:
meters = feet ÷ 3.28084
Example calculations
- Converting 2 meters to feet
2 m × 3.28084 = 6.56168 ft
Rounded to 2 decimals: 6.56 ft - Converting 5.5 meters to feet
5.5 m × 3.28084 = 18.04462 ft
Rounded to 2 decimals: 18.04 ft
Conversion tables
Meters to feet
| Meters | Feet |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2808 |
| 2 | 6.5617 |
| 3 | 9.8425 |
| 4 | 13.1234 |
| 5 | 16.4042 |
| 10 | 32.8084 |
| 20 | 65.6168 |
| 50 | 164.042 |
Feet to meters
| Feet | Meters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.3048 |
| 5 | 1.524 |
| 10 | 3.048 |
| 20 | 6.096 |
| 50 | 15.24 |
Historical background
The meter was born during the Frenhc Revolution as part of the metric system, designed to unify measurements. Initially, it was 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the North Pole. Over time, refinements tied it to light’s speed for precision.
Feet have murkier origins. Ancient Romans used “pes,” about 11.6 inches, while the modern foot settled at 12 inches. The 1959 international yard agreement finally standardized 1 foot as 0.3048 meters, bridging metric and imperial systems.
Interesting facts
- Global Mix: The International Space Station uses both units—NASA works in feet for altitude, while partners like Roscosmos use meters.
- Sports Quirk: Olympic swimming pools are 50 meters long, but basketball courts measure 94 feet.
- Aviation Rules: Pilots worldwide use feet for altitude, even in metric countries.
- Height Tales: The average human is about 1.7 meters tall—or 5 feet 7 inches.
- Meter’s Original Name: It was almost called “grave” (from “gravity”), but “meter” won out.
FAQ
One meter equals approximately 3.28084 feet. You can multiply any meter value by this number to get feet.
The United States and a few others retain feet due to historical measurement systems, though most industries globally use meters.
Yes, since 1959 both countries agreed on defining 1 foot as exactly 0.3048 meters.
Multiply meters by 3.28 for a rough estimate. For 2 meters? 2 x 3.28 ≈ 6.56 feet.
It depends on location. European architects work in meters, while Americans often use feet and inches.