Feet to Meters Formula Explained

4 min read•June 1, 2025•Reviewed: June 1, 2026

✓Reviewed by Apex Conversion Editorial Team · Last reviewed June 1, 2026

The formula for converting feet to meters is m = ft × 0.3048. This factor is exact — not an approximation — because one foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters by the international agreement on the definition of the yard in 1959. Every feet-to-meters conversion is therefore exact to as many decimal places as you calculate.

The conversion arises whenever US or UK measurements must be understood in metric terms: building heights, running distances, swimming pool lengths, or height comparisons between people from different countries. A quick mental estimate is to multiply feet by 0.3 — accurate to within 1.6%.

The Formula

m = ft × 0.3048  (exact)

Worked examples:
   1 ft × 0.3048 =   0.305 m
   3 ft × 0.3048 =   0.914 m  (1 yard)
   5 ft × 0.3048 =   1.524 m
   6 ft × 0.3048 =   1.829 m  (≈ 1.83 m)
  10 ft × 0.3048 =   3.048 m
 100 ft × 0.3048 =  30.480 m

For feet-and-inches combined:
  Convert inches to decimal feet first: in ÷ 12
  5 ft 9 in = 5 + (9 ÷ 12) = 5.75 ft × 0.3048 = 1.753 m
  6 ft 2 in = 6 + (2 ÷ 12) = 6.167 ft × 0.3048 = 1.880 m

Why 0.3048 Is Exact

In 1959, the United States and the United Kingdom defined 1 yard as exactly 0.9144 meters. Since 1 yard = 3 feet, this gives 1 foot = 0.9144 ÷ 3 = 0.3048 meters exactly. This makes all foot-to-meter conversions mathematically exact — there is no rounding in the definition.

This means 1 foot = 30.48 cm = 304.8 mm, also exactly. The precision of the factor is limited only by how many decimal places you choose to retain in your calculation.

Quick Tips

✓
Multiply by 0.3 for a fast estimate — off by 1.6% (e.g., 10 ft × 0.3 = 3.0 m, exact: 3.048 m).
✓
6 ft = 1.829 m ≈ 1.83 m — the most common height conversion in everyday use.
✓
100 ft = 30.48 m — useful for estimating building heights and distances.
✓
1 ft = 30.48 cm — remember this to also convert feet to centimeters without a calculator.
✓
For heights: 5 ft 0 in = 1.524 m, 5 ft 6 in = 1.676 m, 6 ft 0 in = 1.829 m.