How to Convert Meters to Feet

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

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

To convert meters to feet, multiply by 3.28084. To express the result in feet and inches, take the decimal remainder and multiply by 12. This two-step process converts any metric height or length into the format used in the US and UK.

The most common application is converting a height given in centimeters or meters into feet-and-inches format. For example: 175 cm → 1.75 m × 3.28084 = 5.741 ft = 5 ft 8.9 in.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: If your value is in centimeters, divide by 100 to get meters (e.g., 180 cm ÷ 100 = 1.80 m). Step 2: Multiply by 3.28084. Step 3: The whole-number portion is feet. Step 4: Take the decimal remainder and multiply by 12 — this gives inches.

Example: Convert 1.85 m to feet and inches. 1.85 × 3.28084 = 6.070 ft. The feet are 6. The decimal remainder is 0.070. Inches: 0.070 × 12 = 0.84 in. Result: 6 ft 0.84 in, usually rounded to 6 ft 1 in.

Worked Examples

1.60 m → 1.60 × 3.28084 = 5.249 ft
         5 ft + (0.249 × 12) = 5 ft 3.0 in

1.70 m → 1.70 × 3.28084 = 5.577 ft
         5 ft + (0.577 × 12) = 5 ft 6.9 in

1.75 m → 1.75 × 3.28084 = 5.741 ft
         5 ft + (0.741 × 12) = 5 ft 8.9 in

1.80 m → 1.80 × 3.28084 = 5.906 ft
         5 ft + (0.906 × 12) = 5 ft 10.9 in

2.00 m → 2.00 × 3.28084 = 6.562 ft
         6 ft + (0.562 × 12) = 6 ft 6.7 in

Common Applications

Height conversions: European passports list height in cm; US passports use feet-and-inches. Medical records in different countries use different standards. A 180 cm patient is 5 ft 10.9 in — often written as 5'11".

Architecture and construction: European building plans use meters; US plans use feet-and-inches. A 2.4 m ceiling = 7.87 ft = 7 ft 10.4 in. A 3 m room width = 9.84 ft = 9 ft 10.1 in.

Quick Tips

✓
Multiply by 3.28 (not 3.28084) for most practical purposes — accurate to 3 significant figures.
✓
Divide by 30.48 to convert centimeters directly to feet (skipping the m step).
✓
1 m = 3 ft 3.37 in — a good memorized anchor.
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For heights: 5 cm difference ≈ 2 inches (exactly 1.97 in).
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Rounding: 5 ft 10.9 in is conventionally stated as '5 foot 11' in conversation.