How to Convert Centimeters to Inches

We live in a world where measurement and units abound everywhere around us. In every field of technology, one needs accurate measurements to make accurate estimates of things and build machines that are accurate and to the scale. Then again, there are various units to measure various parameters. Take length for example. Length is measured in various units according to convenience. This article will explain how to convert centimeters to inches. It doesn't require advanced mathematics, just a division which the calculator can do for you. All you need to do is, know some numbers.

There was once a time when there were different units of measurement around the globe. It is difficult to discuss scientific analysis and share technical data, when there is a non-uniformity in units. People discussing the same technical issue, with different usage of units, find it difficult to communicate amongst each other. For scientific analysis, a clear definition of various units is necessary along with definite conversion tables, that can help you in converting one unit in to another.

Thanks to the metric system of units that was agreed upon universally, there is a uniformity of usage of units around the world. Every unit for every parameter has been clearly defined in an absolute manner. Length parameters are measured according to the standard definition of meter. Every other sub-unit like centimeter or analogous unit like foot and inch, is defined in terms of the meter.

How to Convert Units?
When I am converting a unit A (like centimeters) to unit B (like inches), all I need to know is how much is one unit B in terms of unit A. Say unit B is X in terms of Unit A. Then you just divide the quantity in unit A by X, to get the corresponding value in Unit B. That is, if we are dealing with conversion of 180 seconds into minutes, I need to know how many seconds make one minute. One minute equals 60 seconds. So, then all I have to do is divide 180 by 60 which gives me 3 minutes.

About Centimeter as a Unit
A centimeter is a subunit of meter. 'Centi' means 100. If you divide one meter into hundred parts, each part will be a centimeter (cm).

About Inch as a Unit
An inch (in) is a unit of measurement widely used in the countries of the British common wealth as well as USA. An inch is defined as '1 inch = 0.0254 meters'.

About Foot as a Unit
Foot (Ft or ') is again a widely used unit in USA as well as the British Commonwealth. A unit foot is exactly equal to 0.3048 meters.

Converting Centimeters to Inches and Feet
All you need to do is keep a calculator in handy. Let us understand through an example. Say I wish to convert 345 cm to inches and feet.

First let us convert centimeters to inches. Since, 1 inch = 2.54 cm, we divide 345 by 2.54 which gives a value of 135.83. Thus 345 cm = 135.83 inch.

Now let us convert centimeters to feet. Since, 1 foot = 30.48 cm, we divide 345 by 30.48 which gives a value of 11.32. Thus 345 cm = 11.32 Ft here.

As you can see, the conversion is very easy and all it requires is one division operation. Hope these examples have made it clear, as to how to convert centimeters into inches and feet.