Feet to Metres Conversion Guide: ft to m Calculator
Converting between feet and metres is essential in the UK where we use both imperial and metric systems. Whether you're measuring your height, room dimensions, or garden space, this guide makes feet to metres conversion simple.
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Use our free Feet to CM Converter for quick calculations.
The Conversion Formula
Metres to Feet: feet = metres × 3.28084
1 foot = 0.3048 metres (exactly)
1 metre = 3.28084 feet (approximately)
Common Feet to Metres Conversions
| Feet | Metres | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.305 m | Basic unit |
| 2 ft | 0.610 m | Table height |
| 3 ft | 0.914 m | Worktop height |
| 4 ft | 1.219 m | Child's height |
| 5 ft | 1.524 m | Short adult |
| 6 ft | 1.829 m | Tall adult |
| 7 ft | 2.134 m | Door height |
| 8 ft | 2.438 m | Ceiling height |
| 9 ft | 2.743 m | High ceiling |
| 10 ft | 3.048 m | Room dimension |
Height Conversion Chart
Human heights are commonly expressed in feet and inches. Here's a conversion chart for typical heights:
| Feet & Inches | Metres | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 5'0" | 1.52 m | 152 cm |
| 5'2" | 1.57 m | 157 cm |
| 5'4" | 1.63 m | 163 cm |
| 5'6" | 1.68 m | 168 cm |
| 5'8" | 1.73 m | 173 cm |
| 5'10" | 1.78 m | 178 cm |
| 6'0" | 1.83 m | 183 cm |
| 6'2" | 1.88 m | 188 cm |
| 6'4" | 1.93 m | 193 cm |
| 6'6" | 1.98 m | 198 cm |
Converting Feet and Inches to Metres
When you have both feet and inches, follow these steps:
Example: Convert 5 feet 10 inches to metres
Method 1: Convert separately
- Feet to metres: 5 × 0.3048 = 1.524 m
- Inches to metres: 10 × 0.0254 = 0.254 m
- Total: 1.524 + 0.254 = 1.778 m
Method 2: Total inches first
- Total inches: (5 × 12) + 10 = 70 inches
- To metres: 70 × 0.0254 = 1.778 m
Room Dimensions: Feet to Metres
UK estate agents often mix imperial and metric measurements. Here are common room sizes:
| Imperial | Metric | Room Type |
|---|---|---|
| 8 × 8 ft | 2.4 × 2.4 m | Small bedroom |
| 10 × 10 ft | 3.0 × 3.0 m | Single bedroom |
| 12 × 10 ft | 3.7 × 3.0 m | Double bedroom |
| 14 × 12 ft | 4.3 × 3.7 m | Master bedroom |
| 15 × 12 ft | 4.6 × 3.7 m | Living room |
| 18 × 12 ft | 5.5 × 3.7 m | Large living room |
| 10 × 8 ft | 3.0 × 2.4 m | Kitchen |
| 6 × 8 ft | 1.8 × 2.4 m | Bathroom |
Quick Mental Conversion Tricks
Approximate Conversions
- 3 feet ≈ 1 metre (actually 0.914m, but close enough for estimates)
- 10 feet ≈ 3 metres (actually 3.048m)
- Divide feet by 3.3 for a quick metres estimate
Example: 20 feet ÷ 3.3 ≈ 6 metres (actual: 6.096m)
Inches to Metres Conversion
1 inch = 0.0254 metres = 2.54 centimetres
| Inches | Metres | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 0.0254 m | 2.54 cm |
| 6" | 0.1524 m | 15.24 cm |
| 12" (1 ft) | 0.3048 m | 30.48 cm |
| 24" (2 ft) | 0.6096 m | 60.96 cm |
| 36" (3 ft) | 0.9144 m | 91.44 cm |
Metres to Feet Conversion
Or: feet = metres ÷ 0.3048
| Metres | Feet (decimal) | Feet & Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 m | 3.28 ft | 3' 3.4" |
| 1.5 m | 4.92 ft | 4' 11.1" |
| 1.7 m | 5.58 ft | 5' 6.9" |
| 1.8 m | 5.91 ft | 5' 10.9" |
| 2 m | 6.56 ft | 6' 6.7" |
| 3 m | 9.84 ft | 9' 10.1" |
| 5 m | 16.40 ft | 16' 4.9" |
| 10 m | 32.81 ft | 32' 9.7" |
UK Uses for Feet and Metres
When Feet Are Used
- Human height: "I'm 5 foot 8"
- Altitude: Aircraft fly at 35,000 feet
- Property listings: Room dimensions often in feet
- DIY and construction: Timber lengths
- Swimming pools: Depth in feet
When Metres Are Used
- Athletics: 100m sprint, long jump
- Official documents: Height on passport
- Building regulations: Minimum room sizes
- Science and education: Standard SI unit
- Road distances: Marathon = 42.195 km
Square Feet to Square Metres
For area conversions (commonly used for property sizes):
Square metres to square feet: ft² = m² × 10.764
| Square Feet | Square Metres | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 9.29 m² | Small room |
| 200 sq ft | 18.58 m² | Large bedroom |
| 500 sq ft | 46.45 m² | Studio flat |
| 750 sq ft | 69.68 m² | 1-bed flat |
| 1,000 sq ft | 92.90 m² | 2-bed flat |
| 1,500 sq ft | 139.35 m² | 3-bed house |
| 2,000 sq ft | 185.81 m² | 4-bed house |
Historical Context
The foot was historically defined as the length of a man's foot, though it varied by region. In 1959, the international foot was defined as exactly 0.3048 metres, standardising the conversion worldwide.
The UK officially adopted the metric system in 1965 but still uses imperial measurements in many everyday contexts, leading to the need for frequent conversions.
Convert Height Measurements
Use our Feet to CM Converter for accurate conversions!
Conclusion
Key conversion facts to remember:
- 1 foot = 0.3048 metres (exactly)
- 1 metre = 3.281 feet (approximately)
- 3 feet ≈ 1 metre (for quick estimates)
- For feet and inches: convert each separately and add
- For areas: 1 sq ft = 0.0929 m²
Whether you're measuring height, room dimensions, or garden space, these conversions will help you work confidently with both systems.