Meters to Feet + Inches (m → ft + in)
This page converts a metric length (meters) into a mixed imperial measurement expressed in whole feet plus remaining inches. The exact relationship is based on the definitions: 1 foot = 0.3048 m and 1 inch = 0.0254 m. So 1 meter = 3.280839895 feet = 3 feet + 0.280839895 ft, and the fractional feet × 12 gives inches (≈ 3 ft 3.37007874 in).
Formulas
- Total feet:
ft_total = meters × (1 / 0.3048)
- Whole feet:
ft = floor(ft_total)
- Inches:
in = (ft_total − ft) × 12
- Combined check:
meters = (ft × 0.3048) + (in × 0.0254)
Quick Values
| Meters | Feet + Inches (rounded to 2 in) | Exact inches (unrounded) |
|---|
| 0.5 | 1 ft 7.69 in | 7.688976378 |
| 1 | 3 ft 3.37 in | 3.37007874 |
| 1.6 | 5 ft 2.99 in | 2.992125984 |
| 1.8 | 5 ft 10.87 in | 10.86614173 |
| 2 | 6 ft 6.74 in | 6.74015748 |
| 2.5 | 8 ft 2.43 in | 2.42519685 |
Worked Example
Convert 1.82 m to feet + inches.
- Total feet = 1.82 × 3.280839895 = 5.97112863 ft
- Whole feet = 5
- Remaining fraction = 0.97112863 ft
- Inches = 0.97112863 × 12 = 11.6535436 in
- Rounded (2 decimals) = 11.65 in
- Answer: 1.82 m ≈ 5 ft 11.65 in
Where Is This Conversion Used?
- Human height representation (international to US customary)
- Sports, medical, aviation anthropometrics
- Interior design (ceiling heights, furniture dimensions)
- Engineering specs bridging metric and legacy imperial drawings
Accuracy & Tips
- Use exact factors: 1 ft = 0.3048 m; 1 in = 0.0254 m.
- Do not round feet before extracting inches—use full decimal feet then multiply by 12.
- Display inches to 2 decimals for typical human height; more decimals rarely meaningful.
- Reverse check: (ft × 0.3048) + (in × 0.0254) should reproduce the original meters.
More Examples
| Meters | Feet + Inches (2 dp) | Exact Feet | Exact Inches |
|---|
| 1.5 | 4 ft 11.06 in | 4.921259842 | 11.05511811 |
| 1.7 | 5 ft 6.93 in | 5.577427821 | 6.92913386 |
| 1.9 | 6 ft 2.80 in | 6.233595801 | 2.79527559 |
| 2.2 | 7 ft 2.61 in | 7.217847769 | 2.61217323 |
| 2.8 | 9 ft 2.24 in | 9.186351706 | 2.23572047 |
FAQ
Why does 1 meter show 3 ft 3.37 in?
Because 1 m = 3.280839895 ft; fractional feet 0.280839895 × 12 = 3.37007874 in.
Can I round feet first?
No. Rounding before extracting inches propagates error. Always derive inches from the unrounded decimal feet.
How many inches in a meter?
39.37007874 inches exactly (since 1 in = 0.0254 m).
What precision is practical?
Two decimals of inches (1/100 in ≈ 0.254 mm) is usually adequate for people/furniture.
How to go back to meters?
meters = feet × 0.3048 + inches × 0.0254.