About the Inches to CM Converter
One inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres, but few people measure in neat decimal inches. Tape measures show fractions, so this converter lets you type the measurement the way you read it: 12.5, 3/4 or a mixed number such as 5 3/8. It then shows the length in centimetres, millimetres, metres and feet and inches. You can also switch the direction to turn centimetres into inches. It is handy for clothes, furniture, screen sizes, photo prints, tools and any product dimensions given in inches that you need to compare with a metric space.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Inches to CM Converter
- 1Choose inches to centimetres or centimetres to inches.
- 2Type the length. For inches you can use fractions such as 5 3/8.
- 3Read the converted length in the large result.
- 4Check millimetres, metres and feet and inches.
- 5Copy the answer.
Common conversions
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
- 6 inches = 15.24 cm.
- 12 inches = 30.48 cm.
- 24 inches = 60.96 cm.
- 36 inches = 91.44 cm.
- 100 inches = 254 cm.
Measuring tips
Measure twice and write fractions down exactly as the tape shows them. When you hold the tape against an edge, make sure the zero end is aligned and not worn. For long lengths, hook the tape end on the edge so it does not slip. If you are ordering something in centimetres, round up to the next half centimetre for a snug fit rather than down.
The most common mistake in inch conversions is reading a tape measure's fractions wrongly. Between the numbers there are usually 15 marks, each a sixteenth of an inch, with longer lines for eighths, quarters and halves. A reading three marks past the 5 is 5 3/16, not 5.3. Entering the fraction directly, as the tool allows, avoids converting it to a decimal in your head and prevents an error of up to a centimetre.
Online shopping is where inch sizes bite most. A 24 inch suitcase is 61 cm, a 15.6 inch laptop is 39.6 cm on the diagonal and a 32 inch waist is 81.3 cm. Sizing charts list garments in inches or centimetres, and returning goods that do not fit is costly. Take your own measurements in centimetres, convert the chart once, and mark the size that matches. If you fall between sizes, choose the larger one for comfort or the smaller one for a tailored look.
Screens, photos and furniture
Screen sizes are diagonals, so a 27 inch monitor is 68.6 cm corner to corner. Photo prints are quoted as width by height in inches, such as 4×6, which is 10.2 × 15.2 cm. When you buy furniture online, check dimensions in your local units and compare with the space you measured, including door widths and stair turns.
Related tools
The MM to Inches Converter finds the nearest tape-measure fraction, the CM to Feet and Inches Converter is for heights, the Feet to Meters Converter handles longer distances and the Screen Size Checker shows your own display.
Features
- Accepts fractions and mixed numbers
- Centimetres, millimetres, metres
- Feet and inches
- Both directions
- Exact 2.54 factor
- Free and private
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert inches to cm?
Multiply the inches by 2.54. For 5 3/8 inches: 5.375 × 2.54 = 13.65 cm. For 12 inches it is 30.48 cm.
How many cm is one inch?
Exactly 2.54 cm, or 25.4 mm. This was fixed by international agreement in 1959.
How do I enter a fraction?
Type it like 3/4 or 5 3/8 with a space between the whole number and the fraction. Decimals such as 5.375 also work. Quotation marks and the word in are ignored.
What is a 55 inch TV in cm?
55 inches is 139.7 cm, measured on the diagonal. The width of a 16:9 screen of this size is about 121.8 cm and the height about 68.5 cm.
How do I convert cm to inches?
Divide the centimetres by 2.54. A length of 30 cm is 11.81 inches, which is 11 13/16 to the nearest 16th.
Why do clothes sizes differ between inches and cm?
Brands that sell internationally give both, but some measure waist and hips in different places. Check the garment measurements, not only the label size.