Feet to Meters (ft → m) – Precise Conversion Guide
Core idea: The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. Multiply feet by 0.3048 to get meters. Reverse: divide meters by 0.3048 to get feet (or multiply by 3.28084).
Formulas
m = ft × 0.3048ft = m ÷ 0.3048 (≡ ft = m × 3.28084)- Also: inches path (if mixed input)
ft = (in ÷ 12) then multiply by 0.3048 for meters.
Quick Values
| Feet | Meters | Centimeters |
|---|
| 1 | 0.3048 | 30.48 |
| 5 | 1.524 | 152.4 |
| 6 | 1.8288 | 182.88 |
| 10 | 3.048 | 304.8 |
| 25 | 7.62 | 762 |
| 100 | 30.48 | 3048 |
Worked Example
Example: Convert 6 ft to meters.
m = 6 × 0.3048 = 1.8288 m. (Exact to 4 decimal places—factor is exact.)
Where this Conversion Appears
- Engineering plans needing metric submissions.
- Sports measurements (track events, jump heights).
- Architecture / building code compliance outside US.
- Scientific data normalization to SI units.
Accuracy & Tips
- 0.3048 is exact (international agreement, 1959).
- Fast estimation: feet ÷ 3 ≈ meters (rough). Refine by subtracting 5%. Example: 15 ft → 5 (÷3) → minus 5% ≈ 4.75 m (actual 4.572 m).
- For feet + inches:
m = (ft + in/12) × 0.3048.
- Reverse quick mental: meters × 3.3 ≈ feet (slightly high), adjust down ~0.6%.
More Examples
| Feet (ft) | Meters (m) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|
| 2 | 0.6096 | 60.96 |
| 8 | 2.4384 | 243.84 |
| 12 | 3.6576 | 365.76 |
| 15 | 4.572 | 457.2 |
| 30 | 9.144 | 914.4 |
FAQ
- Why is 0.3048 exact? It is defined via 1 yard = 0.9144 m exactly and 1 yard = 3 feet.
- How many feet in 10 meters? 10 ÷ 0.3048 ≈ 32.808 ft.
- How many meters is 5′11″? (5 + 11/12) × 0.3048 ≈ 1.8034 m.
- Convert 2.5 m to feet: 2.5 ÷ 0.3048 ≈ 8.2021 ft (≈ 8 ft 2.4 in).
Exact factor used; results rounded for presentation.