Instantly Convert Feet ↔ Metres — Both Directions
Convert feet to metres (ft → m) or metres to feet (m → ft) instantly. Get the exact conversion with formula breakdown, reference table, and real-world examples — all free, no sign-up needed.
The foot and the metre are both units of length — one from the imperial system, one from the metric. Our converter handles both directions instantly and accurately using the exact internationally defined conversion factor of 1 foot = 0.3048 metres.
The foot (ft) is an imperial and US customary unit of length. It is used extensively in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for everyday measurements such as height, room dimensions, and altitude. Since 1959, the international foot has been defined as exactly 0.3048 metres — making the conversion between feet and metres perfectly precise with no rounding required.
The metre (m) is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI) and is the global standard for length measurement. One metre is longer than one foot — specifically 3.28084 feet. It is used worldwide in construction, science, athletics, and everyday life in metric countries, and is the standard unit in all international scientific publications.
The exact conversion factor is 1 foot = 0.3048 metres, fixed by international agreement in 1959 under the International Yard and Pound Agreement. For the reverse, 1 metre = 3.28084 feet (more precisely, 1 ÷ 0.3048 = 3.2808398...). All conversions on this page use these exact values — no approximations.
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Figure: Visual comparison of 1 foot, 1 metre, and 12 inches (length scale)
The conversion between feet and metres uses an exact, internationally agreed factor. Since 1959, the international foot has been defined as exactly 0.3048 metres — this is not an approximation. Both formulas below are mathematically exact and can be used for any calculation requiring imperial-to-metric length conversion. You can also browse other unit converters on our site.
The table below lists commonly needed feet-to-metre conversions. All values use the exact factor of 1 ft = 0.3048 m. For metres to feet, divide the metre value by 0.3048 or use the converter above.
| Feet (ft) | Metres (m) | Centimetres (cm) | Inches (in) | Common Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 ft | 0.1524 m | 15.24 cm | 6 in | Half a foot |
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m | 30.48 cm | 12 in | Standard ruler length |
| 2 ft | 0.6096 m | 60.96 cm | 24 in | Small shelf width |
| 3 ft | 0.9144 m | 91.44 cm | 36 in | 1 yard / waist height |
| 4 ft | 1.2192 m | 121.92 cm | 48 in | Child's height (approx.) |
| 5 ft | 1.524 m | 152.4 cm | 60 in | Short adult height |
| 5.5 ft | 1.6764 m | 167.64 cm | 66 in | Average female height |
| 6 ft | 1.8288 m | 182.88 cm | 72 in | Tall adult height |
| 10 ft | 3.048 m | 304.8 cm | 120 in | Standard ceiling height |
| 20 ft | 6.096 m | 609.6 cm | 240 in | Two-storey building |
| 50 ft | 15.24 m | 1524 cm | 600 in | 5-storey building approx. |
| 100 ft | 30.48 m | 3048 cm | 1200 in | 10-storey building approx. |
| 500 ft | 152.4 m | 15240 cm | 6000 in | Tall skyscraper floor count |
| 1000 ft | 304.8 m | 30480 cm | 12000 in | Burj Khalifa lower section |
| 5280 ft | 1609.344 m | 160934.4 cm | 63360 in | Exactly 1 mile |
The table below shows common metre values converted to feet. All values use the exact factor of 1 m = 3.28084 feet (= 1 ÷ 0.3048). This is useful when reading metric specifications and needing to express them in imperial feet.
| Metres (m) | Feet (ft) | Inches (in) | Yards (yd) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 m | 1.6404 ft | 19.685 in | 0.5468 yd |
| 1 m | 3.2808 ft | 39.370 in | 1.0936 yd |
| 1.5 m | 4.9213 ft | 59.055 in | 1.6404 yd |
| 2 m | 6.5617 ft | 78.740 in | 2.1872 yd |
| 5 m | 16.404 ft | 196.85 in | 5.4681 yd |
| 10 m | 32.808 ft | 393.70 in | 10.936 yd |
| 20 m | 65.617 ft | 787.40 in | 21.872 yd |
| 50 m | 164.04 ft | 1968.5 in | 54.681 yd |
| 100 m | 328.08 ft | 3937.0 in | 109.36 yd |
| 200 m | 656.17 ft | 7874.0 in | 218.72 yd |
| 1000 m (1 km) | 3280.8 ft | 39370 in | 1093.6 yd |
The feet-to-metres conversion is one of the most frequently needed unit conversions in the world — used daily in construction, sport, travel, science, and everyday life wherever imperial and metric systems meet.
Building plans, ceiling heights, floor areas, and structural dimensions are expressed in feet in the US and UK, but in metres across Australia, Europe, and most of the world. A standard residential ceiling of 8 feet = 2.4384 metres. Converting between these systems is an everyday task for architects, engineers, and contractors working on international projects.
Aviation globally uses feet for altitude measurement — aircraft cruise at altitudes like 35,000 feet (= 10,668 metres). Weather reports, mountain heights, and airport elevations may be reported in either feet or metres depending on the country. Pilots, meteorologists, and travellers regularly convert between these two units for safety and navigation.
Height is commonly expressed in feet and inches in the US and UK, while most other countries use metres and centimetres. Converting personal height is one of the most searched unit conversions worldwide. For example: 5 ft 10 in = 1.778 metres, and 6 ft = 1.8288 metres. This converter handles foot values directly — just enter your height in decimal feet.
Many US sports use feet — basketball hoops are 10 feet = 3.048 metres high, American football fields are 300 feet long (= 91.44 metres). Swimming pools in the US are 75 feet (= 22.86 metres) long. International sports organisations use metres, so converting between the two is essential for global athlete comparisons and record-keeping.
Mountain elevations are quoted in both feet and metres depending on the source. Mount Everest is 29,032 feet = 8,849 metres. US topographic maps use feet, while international maps use metres. Hikers, geographers, and climbers comparing elevations across different sources regularly need an accurate feet-to-metres converter.
Students in metric countries studying US or UK textbooks frequently encounter measurements in feet that must be converted to metres for science lab work, physics problems, and engineering assignments. Since SI units are mandatory in academic and scientific publishing worldwide, feet-to-metres conversion is a fundamental skill. The exact factor — 1 ft = 0.3048 m — should always be used in academic contexts.
The Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) is the international body responsible for defining SI units including the metre. Their resources cover official unit definitions and international measurement standards used globally.
Visit BIPM →The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides authoritative guidance on US customary units including the foot, and their exact relationship to SI metric units used in science and international trade.
Visit NIST →The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global aviation standards, including the use of feet for altitude and metres for runway dimensions — making feet-to-metres conversion essential in the aviation industry.
Visit ICAO →The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publishes building and construction standards that use metres as the primary unit — essential for engineers and architects converting from feet-based US/UK drawings.
Visit ISO →