Meter & Feet Calculator
Convert freely between meters and feet (with inches) in both directions — useful for height, room dimensions, ceiling heights, and any measurement that crosses between metric and imperial.
Convert Between Meters and Feet
Pick a direction, enter a value, and see the instant conversion.
5' 10.87"
Meters and Feet at a Glance
The meter is the base unit of length in the metric system, used worldwide for height, room dimensions, and most everyday measurements outside the US. The foot is part of the imperial and US customary systems, still the default in the United States for height, construction, and property dimensions.
One meter equals approximately 3.28084 feet, and one foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters. Because a meter doesn't divide evenly into whole feet, most conversions land on a decimal — this calculator handles both the clean decimal-feet figure and the more commonly read "feet and inches" format side by side.
The Meter to Feet Formula
Both directions rely on the same base constant — 0.3048 meters per foot — used either as a multiplier or a divisor depending on which way you're converting.
Meters → Feet
Feet = Meters ÷ 0.3048
Divide the meter value by 0.3048, or multiply by approximately 3.28084, to get the decimal feet equivalent.
Example: 2 m ÷ 0.3048 = 6.5617 ft
Feet → Meters
Meters = Feet × 0.3048
Multiply the feet value by 0.3048 to get the meter equivalent. If inches are involved, convert them to a feet decimal first (inches ÷ 12) and add.
Example: 6 ft × 0.3048 = 1.8288 m
Meter to Feet Conversion Table
A ready reference for common heights and measurements, from 0.5 m up to 10 m.
| Meters | Feet (decimal) | Feet & Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 m | 1.64 ft | 1' 7.68" |
| 1 m | 3.28 ft | 3' 3.37" |
| 1.5 m | 4.92 ft | 4' 11.06" |
| 1.8 m | 5.91 ft | 5' 10.87" |
| 2 m | 6.56 ft | 6' 6.74" |
| 2.5 m | 8.20 ft | 8' 2.43" |
| 3 m | 9.84 ft | 9' 10.11" |
| 5 m | 16.40 ft | 16' 4.85" |
| 10 m | 32.81 ft | 32' 9.70" |
For a value not listed here, the calculator at the top of this page computes the exact figure instantly, including decimals like 2.15 m or 8.6 ft.
Worked Examples: Step by Step
Example 1: Convert 1.75 meters to feet and inches
- Total inches: 1.75 m × 100 ÷ 2.54 = 68.90 in
- Whole feet: 68.90 ÷ 12 = 5.74 → 5 whole feet
- Remainder: 68.90 − (5 × 12) = 8.90 in
- Answer: 1.75 m = 5' 8.90"
Example 2: Convert 6 feet to meters
- Formula: m = ft × 0.3048
- 6 × 0.3048 = 1.8288
- Answer: 6 ft = 1.8288 m
Example 3: Convert a 2.4 m ceiling height to feet
- 2.4 ÷ 0.3048 = 7.87 ft
- Answer: 2.4 m ≈ 7.87 ft (about 7'10.5")
Where This Conversion Comes Up
Height
Most of the world records height in meters and centimeters on official documents, while the US defaults to feet and inches — this is one of the most frequently searched conversions for exactly that reason.
Ceiling Heights and Room Dimensions
Architectural plans from metric-using countries specify ceiling heights and room dimensions in meters, while US contractors and homeowners typically think in feet, requiring quick conversion during renovation or new-build planning.
Swimming Pools and Diving
Pool depths are often marked in meters internationally and feet in the US, a distinction that matters for diving safety and pool specification comparisons.
Sports Facilities
Field and court dimensions in international sports (football pitch length, athletics track measurements) are specified in meters, while some US facility specs and older records use feet.
Real Estate Listings
Property listings from metric-using countries describe room and plot sizes in meters, which international buyers accustomed to feet often convert for easier comparison.
Common Mistakes When Converting
- Reading decimal feet as inches. 5.91 ft is not "5 feet 91 inches" — the .91 needs to be multiplied by 12 to get the actual inch remainder (about 10.87 inches).
- Mixing up meters and yards. A meter (3.28 ft) and a yard (3 ft) are close but not identical — treating them as interchangeable introduces a small but compounding error over larger distances.
- Forgetting to convert inches before adding to feet. When converting feet-and-inches to meters, the inches must be converted to their own decimal-feet or centimeter value before combining — adding raw inch numbers to feet numbers directly gives a wrong result.
- Using an overly rounded constant. "3.28" is fine for quick estimates, but 3.28084 (or working from the exact 0.3048 m/ft definition) is more accurate for precise work like construction or engineering.
Cheat Sheet: Common Round Numbers
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 m | 3.2808 ft / 39.37 in |
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m / 30.48 cm |
| 1 in | 0.0254 m / 2.54 cm |
| 1 yard | 0.9144 m |
| 1 km | 3,280.84 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many feet is 1.8 meters?
1.8 meters equals approximately 5.91 decimal feet, or 5 feet 10.87 inches.
How many meters are in a foot?
One foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters.
How do I convert meters to feet and inches, not just decimal feet?
First convert meters to centimeters (× 100), then to total inches (÷ 2.54). Divide that by 12 for the whole number of feet, and the remainder is the inches.
Is the meter to feet conversion exact or approximate?
The underlying relationship is exact — a foot is officially defined as exactly 0.3048 meters — so the conversion never involves rounding unless you round the final displayed figure for readability.
What is 6 feet in meters?
6 feet equals approximately 1.8288 meters.
Why does my decimal feet answer not match the inches I expect?
Decimal feet expresses the remainder as a fraction of a foot, not as inches directly. For example, 5.5 feet is 5 feet plus 0.5 of a foot, which equals 6 inches (0.5 × 12) — not 5 feet 50 inches.
Does this calculator work in both directions?
Yes. Use the toggle to switch between "Meters → Feet" and "Feet → Meters" — both directions accept decimals and update the full set of results instantly.