Browse all Conversion Calculators →

CM to Inches Converter UK 2024

Last verified: • Updated for 2026/26 tax year

Convert between centimetres and inches instantly. Free UK length converter for clothing, TV sizes, furniture and DIY measurements.

Quick Convert Popular Sizes

Centimetres to Inches

0
inches

Inches to Centimetres

0
centimetres (cm)

Feet, Inches & Centimetres Converter

Convert height measurements between feet/inches and centimetres

Enter values to convert

Popular CM to Inches Conversions

CMInchesFraction
1 cm0.39"~3/8"
2 cm0.79"~3/4"
5 cm1.97"~2"
10 cm3.94"~4"
12 cm4.72"~4 3/4"
15 cm5.91"~6"
18 cm7.09"~7"
20 cm7.87"~8"
CMInchesFraction
22 cm8.66"~8 5/8"
25 cm9.84"~10"
30 cm11.81"~12" (1 ft)
35 cm13.78"~14"
40 cm15.75"~16"
45 cm17.72"~18"
50 cm19.69"~20"
55 cm21.65"~22"
CMInchesFraction
60 cm23.62"~24" (2 ft)
70 cm27.56"~28"
75 cm29.53"~30"
80 cm31.50"~32"
90 cm35.43"~36" (3 ft)
100 cm39.37"~39 3/8"
150 cm59.06"~59" (5 ft)
180 cm70.87"~71" (6 ft)

UK TV Screen Size Guide (Diagonal Measurement)

TV sizes are measured diagonally in inches. Here's how they convert to centimetres:

TV Size Diagonal (cm) Width (cm) Height (cm) Best Viewing Distance
32 inches81 cm71 cm40 cm1.3-2.0 m
43 inches109 cm95 cm54 cm1.8-2.7 m
50 inches127 cm111 cm62 cm2.1-3.2 m
55 inches140 cm122 cm69 cm2.3-3.5 m
65 inches165 cm144 cm81 cm2.7-4.1 m
75 inches190 cm166 cm94 cm3.1-4.7 m
85 inches216 cm188 cm106 cm3.5-5.4 m

*Width and height are approximate for 16:9 aspect ratio screens

UK Clothing Size Measurements

Men's Chest Sizes

UK 36 (S)91 cm / 36"
UK 38 (M)97 cm / 38"
UK 40 (M)102 cm / 40"
UK 42 (L)107 cm / 42"
UK 44 (L)112 cm / 44"
UK 46 (XL)117 cm / 46"
UK 48 (XL)122 cm / 48"

Men's Waist Sizes

UK 2871 cm / 28"
UK 3076 cm / 30"
UK 3281 cm / 32"
UK 3486 cm / 34"
UK 3691 cm / 36"
UK 3897 cm / 38"
UK 40102 cm / 40"

Women's Dress Sizes

UK 8Bust 84 cm / Waist 66 cm
UK 10Bust 88 cm / Waist 70 cm
UK 12Bust 93 cm / Waist 75 cm
UK 14Bust 98 cm / Waist 80 cm
UK 16Bust 103 cm / Waist 85 cm
UK 18Bust 110 cm / Waist 92 cm

Inside Leg Lengths

Short74 cm / 29"
Regular79 cm / 31"
Long84 cm / 33"
Extra Long89 cm / 35"

Note: Leg lengths may vary by retailer. Always check individual size guides.

Common UK Furniture Dimensions

When shopping for furniture in the UK, you'll encounter both metric and imperial measurements. Here are standard sizes:

Beds (Mattress Sizes)

Single90 x 190 cm35 x 75 inches
Small Double (4ft)120 x 190 cm47 x 75 inches
Double135 x 190 cm53 x 75 inches
King150 x 200 cm59 x 79 inches
Super King180 x 200 cm71 x 79 inches

Kitchen Units

  • Worktop height: 90 cm (35.4 inches) standard
  • Worktop depth: 60 cm (23.6 inches) standard, 65 cm with overhang
  • Base unit height: 72 cm (28.3 inches)
  • Wall unit height: 72 cm or 90 cm (28.3" or 35.4")
  • Gap between worktop and wall units: 45-50 cm (17.7-19.7 inches)

Standard Door Sizes

  • Internal doors: 198 cm x 76 cm (78" x 30") or 198 cm x 83 cm (78" x 33")
  • External doors: 198 cm x 83 cm (78" x 33") minimum
  • Door thickness: 35 mm (1 3/8") internal, 44 mm (1 3/4") external

How to Convert CM to Inches

1 inch = 2.54 cm (exactly)
1 cm = 0.3937 inches

CM to Inches Formula

Inches = CM ÷ 2.54

Example: 45 cm = 45 ÷ 2.54 = 17.72 inches

Inches to CM Formula

CM = Inches × 2.54

Example: 17 inches = 17 × 2.54 = 43.18 cm

Quick Mental Maths Tips

  • CM to Inches (quick): Divide by 2.5 for an approximate result (slightly overestimates)
  • Inches to CM (quick): Multiply by 2.5 for an approximate result (slightly underestimates)
  • Remember: 4 inches ≈ 10 cm, so 40 inches ≈ 100 cm (1 metre)

Why 2.54?

The inch was officially defined in 1959 as exactly 25.4 millimetres by an international agreement between the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. This "international inch" replaced various historical inch definitions and made conversions between imperial and metric systems precise and consistent worldwide.

UK DIY Measurement Guide

Common measurements you'll encounter when doing DIY in the UK:

Timber Sizes

UK timber is sold in metric but often referenced in imperial:

  • 2x1 = 50 x 25 mm
  • 2x2 = 50 x 50 mm
  • 3x2 = 75 x 50 mm
  • 4x2 = 100 x 50 mm
  • 6x2 = 150 x 50 mm

Plasterboard

Standard UK plasterboard sizes:

  • 2400 x 1200 mm (8' x 4')
  • Thickness: 9.5 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm

Pipe Sizes

Copper pipes still use imperial:

  • 15 mm (1/2")
  • 22 mm (3/4")
  • 28 mm (1")

Popular Inches to CM Conversions

InchesCMCommon Use
1 inch2.54 cmSmall components
4 inches10.16 cmPhone screen width
6 inches15.24 cmStandard ruler half
8 inches20.32 cmTablet size
11 inches27.94 cmA4 paper width approx
12 inches (1 ft)30.48 cmFoot length / ruler
14 inches35.56 cmSmall laptop screen
15 inches38.10 cmLaptop screen
17 inches43.18 cmLarge laptop
20 inches50.80 cmSmall monitor
24 inches60.96 cmStandard monitor
27 inches68.58 cmLarge monitor
32 inches81.28 cmSmall TV
36 inches (3 ft)91.44 cmYard / kitchen height
40 inches101.60 cm1 metre approx

UK Height Conversion Chart

Convert common heights between feet/inches and centimetres:

Feet/InchesCM
4'10"147 cm
4'11"150 cm
5'0"152 cm
5'1"155 cm
5'2"157 cm
5'3"160 cm
5'4"163 cm
Feet/InchesCM
5'5"165 cm
5'6"168 cm
5'7"170 cm
5'8"173 cm
5'9"175 cm
5'10"178 cm
5'11"180 cm
Feet/InchesCM
6'0"183 cm
6'1"185 cm
6'2"188 cm
6'3"191 cm
6'4"193 cm
6'5"196 cm
6'6"198 cm

Note: UK average height is approximately 5'9" (175 cm) for men and 5'4" (163 cm) for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cm in an inch? +
1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimetres. This is an internationally defined standard established in 1959. The inch is defined as exactly 25.4 millimetres, making conversions between imperial and metric systems precise. This means 1 cm = 0.3937 inches (or approximately 0.4 inches). For quick mental calculations, remember that 1 inch is roughly 2.5 cm.
How do I convert cm to inches? +
To convert centimetres to inches, divide the cm value by 2.54. Formula: Inches = CM ÷ 2.54. For example, 20 cm ÷ 2.54 = 7.87 inches. For quick estimates, you can divide by 2.5 for approximate results. Common conversions: 10 cm = 3.94 inches, 30 cm = 11.81 inches, 50 cm = 19.69 inches, 100 cm = 39.37 inches.
What is 10cm in inches? +
10 cm equals 3.94 inches (10 ÷ 2.54 = 3.937 inches). This is roughly 4 inches. Common items that measure approximately 10 cm include: a credit card width (8.5 cm), a standard Post-it note, or the diameter of a tennis ball. This measurement is frequently used for screen bezels, small electronics, and craft projects.
What is 18cm in inches? +
18 cm equals 7.09 inches. This is a common measurement for A5 paper width (14.8 cm height fits on A5), shoe measurements, and tablet screen sizes. For reference, 18 cm is close to the length of a standard ballpoint pen or the width of many paperback books sold in the UK.
What is 80cm in inches? +
80 cm equals 31.50 inches. This measurement is commonly used for TV screen sizes (32-inch TVs are approximately 81 cm diagonally), furniture dimensions, and kitchen worktop depths. Standard UK kitchen base units are typically 60 cm deep, while worktops extend to about 60-65 cm.
What TV size should I buy in the UK? +
TV size depends on viewing distance and room size. For UK living rooms: 2-2.5 metres viewing distance suits 43-50 inches (109-127 cm). 2.5-3 metres suits 55-65 inches (140-165 cm). 3-4 metres suits 65-75 inches (165-190 cm). Measure your wall space in cm, then divide by 2.54 to find maximum inch size. Most UK retailers sell TVs by diagonal inch measurement.
How do UK clothing sizes relate to cm? +
UK clothing uses inches and cm interchangeably. Chest sizes: UK 36 = 91 cm, UK 38 = 97 cm, UK 40 = 102 cm, UK 42 = 107 cm, UK 44 = 112 cm. Waist: UK 30 = 76 cm, UK 32 = 81 cm, UK 34 = 86 cm, UK 36 = 91 cm. Inside leg: Short = 29 inches (74 cm), Regular = 31 inches (79 cm), Long = 33 inches (84 cm). Always check retailer size guides as sizing varies.
Why does the UK use both cm and inches? +
The UK officially adopted the metric system in 1965 but imperial measurements remain in everyday use. Road signs use miles, people describe height in feet and inches, and many products use both systems. DIY stores sell timber in metric (mm/cm) but pipe fittings in imperial. TV screens use inches, while furniture dimensions often use cm. This dual system reflects Britain's gradual metric transition and cultural attachment to imperial units.

Related Converters

Feet to CM
Height converter
KG to Pounds
Weight converter
Sq Ft to Sq M
Area converter
Unit Converter
All conversions

Related Tools

Feet to CM Miles to KM KG to LBS Stone to KG Fahrenheit to Celsius

Last updated: January 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates

Pro Tips for Accurate Results
  • Double-check your input values before calculating
  • Use the correct unit format (metric or imperial)
  • For complex calculations, break them into smaller steps
  • Bookmark this page for quick future access
Understanding Your Results

Our Cm To Inches provides:

  • Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
  • Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
  • Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
  • 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
Common Questions

Is this calculator free?

Yes, all our calculators are 100% free to use with no registration required.

Are the results accurate?

Our calculators use verified formulas and are regularly updated for accuracy.

Can I use this on mobile?

Yes, all calculators are fully responsive and work on any device.

People Also Ask

Yes, our calculators use verified formulas and are regularly updated with current UK rates and regulations. Results are provided for guidance - always consult professionals for major financial decisions.

Absolutely! All our calculators are fully responsive and work perfectly on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. No app download needed.

We update all calculators with new rates as soon as they're announced - typically at the start of each tax year (April) or when significant changes occur.

HMRC Compliant
Secure & Private
4.9/5 Rating
500K+ Users

Related Calculators

Kg To Lbs Converter Mm To Inches Pounds To Stone Miles To Km Calculator Stone To Kg Converter