Feet to Metres Calculator

Convert feet and inches to metres and centimetres instantly. Perfect for height, room dimensions, and measurement conversions used across the UK.

Height & Length Converter

Imperial to Metric conversion

Enter your measurement in feet and inches:

Total Centimetres
Total Inches
UK Usage Note While the UK officially uses the metric system, many people still use feet and inches for height. Medical records, driving licences, and passport applications require metric measurements.

Common Height Conversions

This reference table shows the most common height conversions between feet/inches and metres/centimetres used in the UK.

Feet & Inches Metres Centimetres Notes
4'10" 1.47 m 147.3 cm Short adult
5'0" 1.52 m 152.4 cm Below average for women
5'3.5" 1.62 m 161.6 cm UK average (women)
5'6" 1.68 m 167.6 cm Tall for women, short for men
5'9" 1.75 m 175.3 cm UK average (men)
5'10" 1.78 m 177.8 cm Slightly above average male
6'0" 1.83 m 182.9 cm Tall (~14% of UK men)
6'2" 1.88 m 188.0 cm Very tall
6'4" 1.93 m 193.0 cm Exceptionally tall
6'6" 1.98 m 198.1 cm Very rare height

When You Need This Conversion

Understanding when and why you might need to convert between feet and metres in the UK:

Passport Applications

UK passport applications require your height in metres. If you only know your height in feet and inches, use this converter to fill in the form correctly.

Medical Records

NHS and private healthcare providers record height in centimetres. Your GP will convert if you give feet, but knowing your metric height saves time.

Driving Licence

The DVLA requires height in metric format. When applying for or renewing your licence, convert your imperial height to metres.

Gym & Fitness

Many fitness apps and gym equipment use metric measurements. Knowing your height in cm helps with BMI calculations and exercise machines.

Online Shopping

European clothing brands often use metric sizing. Convert your height to ensure clothes fit properly when shopping from EU retailers.

Travel & Work

Airlines have cabin crew height requirements in cm. International job applications often require metric measurements.

Room & Building Measurements

Beyond personal height, feet-to-metres conversion is essential for property and construction measurements in the UK.

Standard UK Room Dimensions

Room Type Typical Size (ft) Metric Equivalent Area (m²)
Single Bedroom 8' × 10' 2.44m × 3.05m 7.4 m²
Double Bedroom 12' × 12' 3.66m × 3.66m 13.4 m²
Master Bedroom 14' × 16' 4.27m × 4.88m 20.8 m²
Living Room 16' × 18' 4.88m × 5.49m 26.8 m²
Kitchen 10' × 12' 3.05m × 3.66m 11.1 m²
Bathroom 7' × 8' 2.13m × 2.44m 5.2 m²
UK Building Regulations Modern UK building regulations specify dimensions in metric. Minimum ceiling height is 2.3m (7'6.5"), and doorways are typically 2.04m (6'8") standard height.

Why the UK Uses Both Systems

The UK has a unique relationship with measurement systems, using both imperial and metric in daily life.

Historical Timeline

What Uses Which System?

Imperial (still common) Metric (official)
Personal height ("I'm 5'10") Medical records (175 cm)
Road distances (miles) Athletics (100 metres)
Beer and cider (pints) Wine and spirits (ml, litres)
Body weight (stones, lbs) Food packaging (grams, kg)
Tyre pressure (PSI) Fuel (litres)
Common Confusion Many UK estate agents still list property dimensions in feet, while mortgage lenders and surveyors use square metres. Always check which system is being used!

Frequently Asked Questions

5 feet 10 inches equals 1.778 metres or 177.8 centimetres. This is slightly above the UK average male height of 175.3 cm (5'9"). To calculate: (5 × 12 + 10) × 2.54 = 177.8 cm, then divide by 100 to get metres.
To convert feet to metres, multiply the feet value by 0.3048. For feet and inches, first convert everything to inches (feet × 12 + inches), then multiply by 2.54 to get centimetres, and divide by 100 for metres. For example: 6 feet = 6 × 0.3048 = 1.8288 metres.
According to NHS Health Survey data, the average height for UK men is 175.3 cm (5'9") and for UK women is 161.6 cm (5'3.5"). These figures have been gradually increasing over the past century due to improved nutrition and healthcare.
UK passport applications require height in metres and centimetres. Convert your feet and inches measurement using this calculator. For example, if you're 5'6", enter 1.68 m or 168 cm. You can round to the nearest centimetre - exact precision isn't critical for identification purposes.
1.8 metres equals 5 feet 10.87 inches, which is commonly rounded to 5'11" in casual conversation. This is above the UK average height for both men and women. To calculate: 1.8 ÷ 0.3048 = 5.906 feet, then convert the decimal to inches.
The UK officially adopted the metric system but imperial measures remain common in everyday use. Road signs use miles, people often state height in feet and weight in stones, and beer is sold in pints. This dual-use dates from the UK's gradual metrication starting in 1965, which was never fully completed for all purposes.
6 feet equals exactly 1.8288 metres, commonly rounded to 1.83 m or 183 cm. According to height distribution data, only about 14% of UK men are 6 feet or taller, making it a notably tall height. 6 feet is often considered a psychological benchmark for "tall" in UK culture.
170 cm equals 5 feet 6.93 inches, typically stated as 5'7" (rounding up). This is above the UK average height for women (161.6 cm) but below average for men (175.3 cm). To calculate: 170 ÷ 2.54 = 66.93 inches, then divide by 12 to get feet.

Related Unit Converters

RT

Robert Thompson

BSc Mathematics | Metrology Specialist

Robert is a mathematics graduate with expertise in measurement systems and unit conversion. He has written extensively about the UK's dual measurement system and helps make complex conversions accessible to everyday users through clear explanations and practical tools.

Last updated: January 2026 | Conversion formulas verified against international standards

Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: January 2026.

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
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Understanding Your Results

Our Feet To Metres Calculator 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
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