Length Converter: A Practical Guide
Use Length Converter to convert between supported metric and customary distance units. The current choices include metres, kilometres, centimetres, millimetres, miles, feet and inches. A conversion changes units, not the accuracy of the original measurement.
How to Use Length Converter
- Enter Value in the source unit.
- Choose From and To carefully.
- Select Convert.
- Read the result with its unit and round only as appropriate for the task.
Linear Conversion Factors
The tool converts the source value to a metre-based quantity, then divides by the target unit’s metre factor. An international inch is exactly 0.0254 metres, and an international foot is 0.3048 metres.
A decimal-foot entry is not feet-and-inches notation. For five feet nine inches, first express the value as 5.75 feet or 69 inches rather than entering 5.9 feet.
Worked Example
Ten inches convert to 25.4 centimetres. Five feet nine inches convert to 175.26 centimetres.
For a map distance, check whether the source uses a statute mile rather than a nautical mile; the current mile option is the ordinary statute mile.
Convert squared units: use the Area Converter.
Convert volume units: use the Volume Converter.
Checks and Common Mistakes
- Use the intended unit, not just a similar abbreviation.
- Do not treat decimal feet as inches.
- Avoid excessive precision from a rough measurement.
- Check dimensions separately for area or volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert feet and inches together?
The field takes one numeric value in one unit. Convert the mixed measurement to decimal feet or total inches first.
Is a mile a nautical mile?
No. The supported mi factor is 1609.344 metres.
Does conversion improve accuracy?
No. It carries the original measurement into another unit.
Related Tools for the Next Step
- Area Converter: Convert squared units.
- Volume Converter: Convert volume units.
- Speed Converter: Convert distance per time.
- Ratio Calculator: Compare proportional lengths.
Reference
Further reading: NIST SI units resources.