Feet to Metres Conversion Guide
Instantly convert feet, inches, and feet-and-inches (perfect for height) to metres and centimetres, with a full reference chart and the exact formula.
Convert Feet to Metres
Use the converter below for a single feet or metres value, or the feet-and-inches tool underneath for measurements like height, where inches are involved.
Feet ↔ Metres Converter
Convert a single length value both ways.
Understanding the Conversion
The formula and why it matters
The Exact Formula
One foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 metres. To convert feet to metres, multiply by 0.3048; to go the other way, divide by 0.3048 (or multiply by roughly 3.281).
Handling Inches
When a measurement includes inches, such as a height of 5 ft 9 in, convert the inches to a decimal fraction of a foot first (9 ÷ 12 = 0.75), then add it to the whole feet before converting.
Common Everyday Uses
Feet-to-metres conversions come up often for room dimensions, ceiling heights, fencing, furniture sizing, and converting a person’s height between imperial and metric systems.
Rounding Sensibly
For DIY and everyday use, two decimal places (centimetre-level precision) is normally plenty. Construction and engineering contexts may call for more precise figures.
Feet to Metres Chart
Common feet values converted to metres, plus typical height conversions, using the exact factor of 0.3048.
| Feet | Metres | Feet | Metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.30 m | 6 ft | 1.83 m |
| 2 ft | 0.61 m | 7 ft | 2.13 m |
| 3 ft | 0.91 m | 8 ft | 2.44 m |
| 4 ft | 1.22 m | 9 ft | 2.74 m |
| 5 ft | 1.52 m | 10 ft | 3.05 m |
| Height (ft & in) | Metres | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 1.52 m | 152 cm |
| 5 ft 6 in | 1.68 m | 168 cm |
| 5 ft 9 in | 1.75 m | 175 cm |
| 6 ft 0 in | 1.83 m | 183 cm |
| 6 ft 3 in | 1.91 m | 191 cm |
Feet to Metres FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about converting between feet and metres.
One foot is exactly 0.3048 metres. To convert feet to metres, multiply the number of feet by 0.3048.
First convert the inches to feet by dividing by 12, add this to the whole feet value, then multiply the total by 0.3048 to get metres. For example, 5 feet 9 inches is 5.75 feet, which is approximately 1.75 metres.
A quick approximation is to multiply feet by 0.3, or divide by 3.3. This gives a close estimate, though for precise figures the exact factor of 0.3048 should be used.
One metre is approximately 3.281 feet. To convert metres to feet, multiply the number of metres by 3.281.
0.3048 is the exact conversion factor, but it’s often rounded to 0.305 for everyday simplicity. For most practical purposes the difference is negligible, but precise applications should use the full figure.