Feet to Meters Converter (ft to m) – Fast & Accurate Tool
Convert feet to meters (ft to m) and meters to feet (m to ft) with millimeter accuracy. Features dual decimal feet and compound feet & inches inputs, live step-by-step formula calculations, secondary metric units, US framing lumber guides, and height conversion references.
Instant Feet ↔ Meters Calculator
How to Convert Feet to Meters (Exact Formula & Math)
Converting feet (ft) to meters (m) is fundamental across construction engineering, aviation altitude readings, international real estate listings, and medical body height calculations. Under the modern International System of Units, the relationship between feet and meters is exact, legal, and universally adopted.
Because one international foot is defined strictly as 0.3048 meters, the exact conversion formula is:
Meters (m) = Feet (ft) ÷ 3.280839895
Both expressions give identical outcomes, but multiplying by 0.3048 avoids rounding error since 0.3048 is an exact terminal decimal.
Converting Compound Feet & Inches (e.g. 5′ 10″) to Meters
When converting human height or lumber blueprints given in feet and inches (such as 5 feet 10 inches or 6 feet 2 inches), use this two-step method:
- Convert to total inches: Multiply the feet by 12 and add the remaining inches:
Total Inches = (5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches - Multiply total inches by 0.0254 meters:
Meters = 70 × 0.0254 = 1.778 meters (177.8 cm)
Need to convert meters back to feet? Switch to our Meters to Feet Converter. To calculate Body Mass Index with your converted metric height, visit our BMI Calculator.
Feet to Meters Quick Reference Chart (1 ft to 100 ft)
Use this reference chart for rapid conversions of typical heights, room spans, building heights, and lumber lengths.
| Feet (ft) | Feet & Inches (ft & in) | Meters (m) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 1 ft 0 in | 0.3048 m | 30.48 cm |
| 2 ft | 2 ft 0 in | 0.6096 m | 60.96 cm |
| 3 ft (1 yd) | 3 ft 0 in | 0.9144 m | 91.44 cm |
| 4 ft | 4 ft 0 in | 1.2192 m | 121.92 cm |
| 5 ft | 5 ft 0 in | 1.5240 m | 152.40 cm |
| 5.5 ft | 5 ft 6 in | 1.6764 m | 167.64 cm |
| 5.75 ft | 5 ft 9 in | 1.7526 m | 175.26 cm |
| 6.0 ft | 6 ft 0 in | 1.8288 m | 182.88 cm |
| 6.25 ft | 6 ft 3 in | 1.9050 m | 190.50 cm |
| 6.5 ft | 6 ft 6 in | 1.9812 m | 198.12 cm |
| 7.0 ft | 7 ft 0 in | 2.1336 m | 213.36 cm |
| 8.0 ft | 8 ft 0 in | 2.4384 m | 243.84 cm |
| 9.0 ft | 9 ft 0 in | 2.7432 m | 274.32 cm |
| 10.0 ft | 10 ft 0 in | 3.0480 m | 304.80 cm |
| 12.0 ft | 12 ft 0 in | 3.6576 m | 365.76 cm |
| 15.0 ft | 15 ft 0 in | 4.5720 m | 457.20 cm |
| 20.0 ft | 20 ft 0 in | 6.0960 m | 609.60 cm |
| 25.0 ft | 25 ft 0 in | 7.6200 m | 762.00 cm |
| 50.0 ft | 50 ft 0 in | 15.2400 m | 1,524.0 cm |
| 100.0 ft | 100 ft 0 in | 30.4800 m | 3,048.0 cm |
Construction, Lumber & Framing Sizing Guide
In the construction and carpentry trades, American dimensional lumber and sheet goods are sold according to traditional foot-and-inch designations. When importing building materials to metric jurisdictions or coordinating international BIM (Building Information Modeling) CAD files, contractors rely on standard metric conversions.
Standard Framing Stud Lengths
- 8-Foot Stud (96 in = 2.438 m): The universal wall stud in North American homes, trimmed to 92-5/8 inches (2.353 m) to allow for top and bottom framing plates.
- 10-Foot Stud (120 in = 3.048 m): Standard for tall, vaulted ceilings and commercial retail framing.
- 12-Foot Framing Timber (144 in = 3.658 m): Used in heavy roof trusses, cathedral rafters, and load-bearing ceiling joists.
Plywood Sheets & Stud Center Spacings
- 4 × 8 Foot Plywood / Drywall: Measures
1.219 m × 2.438 m(2.97 square meters), standard across American and British timber construction. - 16-Inch On-Center Spacing:
16 in = 40.64 cm (0.4064 m), the ubiquitous standard spacing for wall studs and floor joists. - 24-Inch On-Center Spacing:
24 in = 60.96 cm (0.6096 m), typical for non-bearing interior partition walls and modern advanced framing.
For smaller tool measurements and hardware specifications, use our Inches to Centimeters Converter and Centimeters to Inches Converter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many meters are in 1 foot?
There is exactly 0.3048 meters in 1 international foot (or 30.48 centimeters). This value is defined by international treaty and is mathematically precise without rounding.
How do you convert 6 feet into meters?
Multiply 6 by 0.3048: 6 × 0.3048 = 1.8288 meters. In centimeters, 6 feet equals 182.88 cm (or 1,828.8 mm).
How do you convert feet and inches (like 5'10") into meters?
First convert the entire height to inches: (5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches. Then multiply by 0.0254 meters per inch: 70 × 0.0254 = 1.778 meters (or 177.8 cm).
Why is an 8-foot ceiling converted to 2.44 meters?
Because 8 × 0.3048 = 2.4384 meters. In international architectural terminology, builders round 2.4384 m to 2.44 meters, or design directly for the standard 2.4-meter metric building module.
Is an international foot different from a US survey foot?
Yes, historically. The US survey foot was defined as 1200/3937 meters ≈ 0.30480061 meters (a difference of about 2 parts per million). However, on January 1, 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officially retired the US survey foot, unifying all legal US surveying to the international foot of exactly 0.3048 meters.
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