Feet to Meters: How to Convert ft to m (and Back)

The Feet to Meters Conversion Formula

The foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters — a value set by international agreement in 1959. This makes the feet-to-meters conversion exact, with no rounding error.

1 foot = 0.3048 meters

To convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048. To go the other way — meters to feet — divide by 0.3048 (or multiply by 3.28084).

Formulas:

• ft → m: meters = feet × 0.3048
• m → ft: feet = meters ÷ 0.3048 (or meters × 3.28084)

Quick Conversion Examples

• 5 ft = 5 × 0.3048 = 1.524 m
• 6 ft = 6 × 0.3048 = 1.829 m
• 10 ft = 10 × 0.3048 = 3.048 m
• 100 ft = 100 × 0.3048 = 30.48 m
• 1 m = 1 ÷ 0.3048 = 3.281 ft
• 1.8 m = 1.8 ÷ 0.3048 = 5.906 ft (5 ft 10.9 in)

Converting Feet and Inches to Meters

Heights in imperial countries are often given as feet and inches — for example, 5 ft 11 in. To convert to meters:

1. Convert the inches to a decimal foot: 11 inches ÷ 12 = 0.917 ft
2. Add to the whole feet: 5 + 0.917 = 5.917 ft
3. Multiply by 0.3048: 5.917 × 0.3048 = 1.804 m

Alternatively, convert the entire height to inches first (5 ft 11 in = 71 inches), then multiply by 0.0254 (since 1 inch = 0.0254 m): 71 × 0.0254 = 1.8034 m.

A Quick Mental Trick

If you need a rough estimate without a calculator, use this: divide meters by 3 to get approximate feet. It's slightly off (the true factor is 3.281) but gives results within 3%, which is fine for most casual purposes. For example, a 2-meter doorway is approximately 6 ft (exact: 6.562 ft).

Going the other way: multiply feet by 0.3 to get approximate meters. A 10-foot room is roughly 3 m (exact: 3.048 m).

Height Reference Table: Feet to Meters

• 5 ft 0 in (60 in) = 1.524 m
• 5 ft 4 in (64 in) = 1.626 m
• 5 ft 6 in (66 in) = 1.676 m
• 5 ft 8 in (68 in) = 1.727 m
• 5 ft 10 in (70 in) = 1.778 m
• 6 ft 0 in (72 in) = 1.829 m
• 6 ft 2 in (74 in) = 1.880 m
• 6 ft 4 in (76 in) = 1.930 m

Common Distance Reference: Feet to Meters

• 1 ft = 0.305 m
• 3 ft (1 yard) = 0.914 m
• 10 ft = 3.048 m
• 100 ft = 30.48 m
• 1,000 ft = 304.8 m
• 5,280 ft (1 mile) = 1,609.344 m = 1.609 km

Why Do Feet and Meters Coexist?

The foot is an ancient unit, used in various forms across many cultures for thousands of years. The modern international foot was standardised in 1959 at exactly 0.3048 m. Today it's officially used only in the US, UK (for height and some distances), and a handful of other territories.

The meter, by contrast, was introduced during the French Revolution as part of the metric system and is now the global standard for length in science, engineering, and most everyday contexts worldwide. Aviation is a notable exception — altitudes are still measured in feet internationally.

Use our free length converter to convert any distance instantly — feet, meters, inches, centimeters, miles, and more.