Convert Feet and Inches to Meters

Direct answer

Convert the feet to inches, add the remaining inches, and multiply the total number of inches by 0.0254.

You can also convert the inches to a decimal portion of a foot:

Both methods give the same result.

Use the Feet to Meters Converter after expressing the measurement as decimal feet.

Example: convert 5 feet 8 inches to meters

Method using total inches

Method using decimal feet

The total-inches method avoids rounding the repeating decimal during the intermediate calculation.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Record the complete measurement. Keep both the feet and inches.
2. Multiply the feet by 12.
3. Add the remaining inches.
4. Multiply total inches by 0.0254.
5. Round only the final meter value.
6. Label the answer in meters.

Why the total-inches method works

One foot contains exactly 12 inches, and one international inch equals exactly 0.0254 meter.

Multiplying 12 inches by 0.0254 meter per inch produces exactly 0.3048 meter per foot.

Convert 4 feet 11 inches to meters

Convert 5 feet 6 inches to meters

Convert 5 feet 10 inches to meters

Convert 6 feet 2 inches to meters

Feet-and-inches conversion chart

Convert fractional inches

Keep the complete fractional inch value when calculating total inches.

Example: convert 7 feet 3 1/2 inches

Feet and inches versus decimal feet

A decimal foot value does not use the digits after the decimal point as inches.

Therefore, 5.8 feet and 5 feet 8 inches are different measurements.

Where mixed measurements are used

• personal height;
• door and window dimensions;
• ceiling height;
• furniture measurements;
• construction plans;
• equipment dimensions;
• interior-design measurements;
• property descriptions.

Rounding the meter result

Keep the exact calculation until the final step. Then choose a rounding level suitable for the measurement.

Common conversion mistakes

Writing 5 feet 8 inches as 5.8 feet

Eight inches is 8/12 or approximately 0.6667 foot.

Multiplying only the foot portion

The inch portion must also be included in the conversion.

Dividing inches by 10

Divide inches by 12 when converting them into decimal feet.

Rounding a repeating decimal too early

The total-inches method can avoid unnecessary intermediate rounding.

Using the formula for square measurements

These calculations convert linear dimensions only.

Related feet-to-meters guides

Frequently asked questions