Length Converter
Convert between metric and imperial length units instantly.
Quick Reference
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This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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This converter translates length measurements between eight common metric and imperial units. Whether you are working on a home improvement project, reading a recipe from another country, or solving a homework problem, this tool gives you the answer in one step.
- Enter a value. Type the number you want to convert into the value field. It accepts whole numbers and decimals.
- Choose the source unit. Open the "From" dropdown and pick the unit your original measurement uses. Options include millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, inches, feet, yards, and miles.
- Choose the target unit. Open the "To" dropdown and select the unit you need. The result updates automatically as you type or change selections.
- Use the swap button. Click the arrow button between the dropdowns to reverse the conversion direction without retyping anything.
Below the main result you will see a formula line showing the exact relationship between the two units and a quick-reference table with common values already converted. Use the Copy button to grab the result or the Share button to send a link with your inputs pre-filled.
About Length Conversion
The metric system, based on the meter, is used by most countries worldwide. The imperial system, based on inches, feet, yards, and miles, remains common in the United States and for certain applications in the United Kingdom. Converting between the two systems is a frequent need in construction, science, cooking, fitness, and travel.
This converter works by first translating your input into meters (the SI base unit for length), then converting from meters to the target unit. This two-step approach keeps the math simple and accurate across all unit pairs. The conversion factors used here follow the internationally agreed definitions: one inch is exactly 25.4 millimeters, one foot is exactly 0.3048 meters, one yard is exactly 0.9144 meters, and one mile is exactly 1,609.344 meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centimeters are in an inch?
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters. This is an internationally defined value, not an approximation. To convert inches to centimeters, multiply the number of inches by 2.54.
How do I convert kilometers to miles?
Divide the number of kilometers by 1.60934 to get the equivalent in miles, or multiply by 0.621371. For a quick mental estimate, multiply kilometers by 0.6. For example, 10 kilometers is approximately 6.2 miles.
How many feet are in a meter?
One meter equals approximately 3.2808 feet. This means a meter is slightly longer than a yard (3 feet). To convert meters to feet, multiply by 3.2808. To convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048.
What is the difference between metric and imperial length units?
Metric units (millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers) are based on powers of 10, making conversions within the system straightforward. Imperial units (inches, feet, yards, miles) use different multipliers: 12 inches in a foot, 3 feet in a yard, 1,760 yards in a mile. Most countries use metric officially, while the United States primarily uses imperial for everyday measurements.