Meters to Feet Formula Explained

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. This factor is the reciprocal of 0.3048 (the exact feet-to-meters factor): 1 ÷ 0.3048 = 3.28084. While the feet-to-meters factor is exact by definition, the meters-to-feet factor is a repeating decimal — 3.28083989501312... — commonly rounded to 3.28084.

The most practical mental shortcut is to multiply by 3.3, which overestimates by 0.6%. For most everyday uses — expressing a metric height in feet, reading a building plan, or comparing distances — this accuracy is more than sufficient.

The Formula

ft = m × 3.28084
ft = m ÷ 0.3048  (equivalent)

Worked examples:
  1.00 m × 3.28084 =   3.281 ft  (3 ft 3.4 in)
  1.70 m × 3.28084 =   5.577 ft  (5 ft 6.9 in)
  1.80 m × 3.28084 =   5.906 ft  (5 ft 10.9 in)
  2.00 m × 3.28084 =   6.562 ft  (6 ft 6.7 in)
 10.00 m × 3.28084 =  32.808 ft
100.00 m × 3.28084 = 328.084 ft

To get feet AND inches from the decimal:
  Whole feet: take the integer part
  Remaining inches: decimal portion × 12
  1.75 m = 5.741 ft → 5 ft + 0.741 × 12 = 5 ft 8.9 in

Converting to Feet and Inches

Metric heights are commonly expressed as centimeters (e.g., 175 cm) rather than meters. Convert to meters first (175 cm ÷ 100 = 1.75 m), then multiply by 3.28084. The integer part is feet; multiply the decimal by 12 for inches.

Example: 168 cm = 1.68 m × 3.28084 = 5.512 ft = 5 ft + (0.512 × 12 in) = 5 ft 6.1 in. This is the most common use of this conversion — expressing a European or medical height record in feet-and-inches.

Quick Tips

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Multiply by 3.3 for a quick overestimate — within 0.6% of the exact answer.
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1 m ≈ 3 ft 3 in — commit this to memory as your starting anchor.
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1.8 m ≈ 5 ft 11 in (the average height of an adult male in many countries).
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100 m = 328.08 ft — the length of an Olympic sprint is about a third of a US football field.
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For heights in centimeters: divide by 30.48 to get feet directly.