How many centimeters is 5 feet 8 inches?

172.72 cm. Multiply the total height in inches (68) by 2.54 to convert to centimeters.

How do I convert centimeters back to feet and inches?

Divide the centimeter value by 2.54 to get total inches, then divide that by 12 to get whole feet, with the remainder as inches.

Why does the US use feet and inches instead of centimeters for height?

The US primarily uses the imperial measurement system for everyday purposes, while most other countries use the metric system, which is why height is commonly reported in centimeters internationally.

Height Converter

Convert height between feet & inches and centimeters. Bidirectional, real-time conversion.

Feet & Inches

feet

inches

Centimeters

centimeters

International Height Formats

USA / UK (Imperial)

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Metric (most countries)

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Meters only

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Feet decimal

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BMI Preview

Enter your weight below to calculate BMI using the height above.

Weight

Unit

Height Reference Chart

Feet & Inches	Centimeters	Meters

How to use

Enter feet and inches on the left, or centimeters on the right — the other side updates instantly
Additional results (meters, total inches, mm) appear below the main converter
International formats show how the height is written in different countries
Enter your weight in the BMI section to instantly calculate your Body Mass Index
The height reference chart highlights the row closest to the entered height

About this Height Converter

Height is measured in feet and inches in the US, and in centimeters almost everywhere else, which makes conversion a routine need for international forms, medical records, and comparing measurements across sources.

The formula

Centimeters = (feet × 12 + inches) × 2.54
Feet/inches: total inches ÷ 12 = feet (whole number), remainder = inches

Worked example

5 feet 8 inches converts to (5 × 12 + 8) × 2.54 = 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 cm. Going the other direction, 180 cm converts to 180 ÷ 2.54 = 70.87 inches total, which is 5 feet (60 inches) with 10.87 inches remaining — roughly 5'11".

Where accurate height conversion matters

Filling out international visa, immigration, or ID forms
Medical records and growth charts referencing height in a different unit than the local standard
Sports and fitness stat comparisons across countries
Clothing, doorway, or furniture sizing referencing metric or imperial specs