Inches to Centimeters Converter
Multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters — an exact definition, not an approximation.
Formula
1 in = 2.54 cm
centimeters = inches × 2.54
Worked example
Convert 12 inches to centimeters
- Multiply by 2.54
- 12 × 2.54 = 30.48
12 in = 30.48 cm
Good to know
Tape measures often show fractions: 1/2 in = 1.27 cm, 1/4 in = 0.635 cm, 1/8 in = 0.3175 cm and 1/16 in ≈ 0.159 cm. Type the decimal (0.5, 0.25…) into the converter, or use the decimal to fraction calculator to go the other way. A 27-inch monitor measures about 68.6 cm diagonally.
Conversion table
| Inches (in) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | 0.635 |
| 0.5 | 1.27 |
| 1 | 2.54 |
| 2 | 5.08 |
| 3 | 7.62 |
| 4 | 10.16 |
| 5 | 12.7 |
| 6 | 15.24 |
| 8 | 20.32 |
| 10 | 25.4 |
| 12 | 30.48 |
| 18 | 45.72 |
| 24 | 60.96 |
| 36 | 91.44 |
| 48 | 121.92 |
| 60 | 152.4 |
| 72 | 182.88 |
About these units
- Inch (in)
- Exactly 2.54 cm since the 1959 international yard and pound agreement. There are 12 inches in a foot.
- Centimeter (cm)
- One hundredth of a meter (10 mm). The everyday metric unit for body height, clothing and small objects.