Length Converter
Convert length and distance instantly between meters, feet, inches, miles, kilometers and more. A precise and easy-to-use tool for everyday needs, construction, travel, and science.
Conversion result
The converted length is displayed below.
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Understanding length units
The meter is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). Centimeters and millimeters are used for small measurements, while kilometers cover large distances. The imperial system uses inches, feet, yards and miles, still very much in use in the United States and the United Kingdom. The nautical mile is specific to navigation and aviation.
Metric vs imperial length systems
The metric system, used by most of the world, is built on powers of ten, which keeps conversions simple and consistent. One meter equals 100 centimeters or 1,000 millimeters. The imperial system, mainly used in the United States, follows a less regular scale: 12 inches make a foot, 3 feet make a yard, and 1,760 yards make a mile.
When to use a length converter?
- Reading international construction plans or technical drawings
- Converting height between centimeters and feet/inches
- Calculating travel distances between metric and imperial countries
Did you know?
The meter was first defined in 1793 as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole. The problem: the Earth moves and deforms slightly, and measurements varied depending on the instruments used. To get a truly stable, universal standard, scientists changed their approach entirely. Since 1983, one meter is defined as exactly the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. The speed of light never changes, anywhere in the universe. That makes it the perfect measuring stick.