Length Converter – Feet to Meters and Meters to Feet
Length Converter
Convert distance metrics instantly with extreme decimal precision
Quick answer
A length converter changes a distance from one unit to another. One foot is exactly 0.3048 meters, so meters = feet × 0.3048. To go the other way, feet = meters ÷ 0.3048 (about meters × 3.28084). For example, 10 ft = 3.048 m and 5 m = 16.4042 ft.
Our free length converter handles feet and meters in both directions. Pick a direction, enter a number, and it shows the converted distance to four decimal places along with the exact constant it used. It is handy for room sizes, heights, building plans, sports distances and school maths.
What Is a Length Converter?
A length converter is a tool that translates a measurement between unit systems. The two most common systems are imperial (inches, feet, yards, miles), used in the United States and partly in the UK, and metric (millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers), used almost everywhere else and in science.
Since 1959 the international foot has been defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. Because that number is exact, a good length converter gives you a precise answer rather than an estimate. The only rounding comes from how many decimal places you choose to show.
Feet to Meters and Meters to Feet Formulas
| Conversion | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Feet to meters | m = ft × 0.3048 | 10 ft = 3.048 m |
| Meters to feet | ft = m ÷ 0.3048 | 5 m = 16.4042 ft |
| Inches to meters | m = in × 0.0254 | 12 in = 0.3048 m |
| Feet and inches to meters | m = (ft × 12 + in) × 0.0254 | 5 ft 10 in = 1.778 m |
One meter equals about 3.28084 feet, or 3 feet and 3.37 inches. If you need centimeters instead, our cm to feet converter is built for that.
How to Use the Length Converter
The tool is at the top of this page. These four steps take a few seconds.
Step 1: Choose the Conversion Direction
Click Feet to Meters or Meters to Feet. The input label and unit badge update to match. In our example we keep Feet to Meters selected.
Step 2: Enter the Length
Type the distance into the input box. Decimals such as 5.75 work fine. We enter 10 feet, roughly the height of a room ceiling.
Step 3: Click Convert Length
Press the Convert Length button. If the box is empty or the value is not a positive number, the tool shows a short message instead of a wrong result.
Step 4: Read the Converted Distance
The answer appears in the highlighted box to four decimals: 3.048 m. Underneath, the tool shows the constant it used (1 foot = 0.3048 meters) and the formula, so you can check the maths yourself.
Worked Examples
Example 1: A Room That Is 12 Feet Long
12 × 0.3048 = 3.6576 m. Rounded for a floor plan, that is 3.66 meters.
Example 2: A 400 Meter Running Track
400 ÷ 0.3048 = 1,312.336 ft. One lap of a standard track is a little over 1,312 feet, or about a quarter of a mile. For longer distances, use our mile to km converter.
Example 3: A Height of 5 Feet 10 Inches
First turn it into feet: 10 inches is 10 ÷ 12 = 0.8333 ft, so the height is 5.8333 ft. Then 5.8333 × 0.3048 = 1.778 m, or 177.8 cm.
Feet to Meters Conversion Chart
| Feet (ft) | Meters (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.3048 |
| 2 | 0.6096 |
| 3 | 0.9144 |
| 5 | 1.524 |
| 6 | 1.8288 |
| 8 | 2.4384 |
| 10 | 3.048 |
| 12 | 3.6576 |
| 20 | 6.096 |
| 25 | 7.62 |
| 50 | 15.24 |
| 100 | 30.48 |
| 500 | 152.4 |
| 1,000 | 304.8 |
| 5,280 (1 mile) | 1,609.344 |
Meters to Feet Conversion Chart
| Meters (m) | Feet (ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2808 |
| 1.5 | 4.9213 |
| 2 | 6.5617 |
| 3 | 9.8425 |
| 5 | 16.4042 |
| 10 | 32.8084 |
| 20 | 65.6168 |
| 50 | 164.042 |
| 100 | 328.084 |
| 400 | 1,312.336 |
| 1,000 | 3,280.8399 |
Common Heights in Feet and Meters
| Height | Meters | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | 1.524 m | 152.4 cm |
| 5 ft 4 in | 1.6256 m | 162.56 cm |
| 5 ft 6 in | 1.6764 m | 167.64 cm |
| 5 ft 8 in | 1.7272 m | 172.72 cm |
| 5 ft 10 in | 1.778 m | 177.8 cm |
| 6 ft 0 in | 1.8288 m | 182.88 cm |
| 6 ft 2 in | 1.8796 m | 187.96 cm |
Quick Mental Shortcut
For a fast estimate, divide feet by 3.3 to get meters, or multiply meters by 3.3 to get feet. 33 ft becomes about 10 m, and 10 m becomes about 33 ft. The error is under 1%, which is fine for chatting about a room size but not for ordering materials. For anything you will build or buy, use the length converter above.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating 5.10 ft as 5 ft 10 in. 5.10 ft is 5 ft 1.2 in. Convert the inches to a fraction of a foot first (10 ÷ 12 = 0.8333).
- Converting area with the length factor. Square feet to square meters uses 0.3048² = 0.092903, not 0.3048.
- Rounding too early. Keep all four decimals until the last step, then round once.
- Mixing up survey feet. Some old US land records use the US survey foot (about 0.3048006 m). For everyday use the international foot is correct.
Who Should Use a Length Converter?
Students working through physics and maths problems, home buyers comparing property listings from different countries, DIYers reading product sizes, athletes converting track and field distances, and anyone filling in a form that asks for height in meters. If you work with land measurements, try our acre to square feet converter as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert feet to meters?
Multiply the number of feet by 0.3048. For example, 10 ft × 0.3048 = 3.048 m.
How do I convert meters to feet?
Divide the number of meters by 0.3048, or multiply by about 3.28084. For example, 5 m ÷ 0.3048 = 16.4042 ft.
How many feet are in one meter?
One meter is about 3.28084 feet, which is 3 feet and roughly 3.37 inches.
Is 1 foot exactly 0.3048 meters?
Yes. Since 1959 the international foot has been defined as exactly 0.3048 meters, so the conversion has no hidden rounding.
How do I convert a height like 5 ft 8 in to meters?
Multiply the feet by 12, add the inches, then multiply by 0.0254. (5 × 12 + 8) × 0.0254 = 1.7272 m.
Can the length converter handle decimals?
Yes. Enter values like 2.5 or 0.75 and the tool returns the result to four decimal places. It accepts positive numbers only, because a length cannot be negative.
Is this length converter free?
Yes. The VectraTools length converter is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser.