150 cm = 4'11"

170 cm = 5'7"

180 cm = 5'11"

Result:

Decimal Feet = cm ÷ 30.48

Whole Feet = floor(Decimal Feet)

Inches = (Decimal Feet - Whole Feet) × 12

Step 1: 165 ÷ 30.48 = 5.4134 feet

Step 2: Whole feet = 5

Step 3: 0.4134 × 12 = 4.96 inches ≈ 5 inches

Result: 165 cm = 5'5"

Step 1: Start with Centimeters

Begin with your height measurement in centimeters.

Example: 178 cm (average male height)

Step 2: Divide by 30.48

Divide the centimeter measurement by 30.48 to get decimal feet.

178 ÷ 30.48 = 5.84 feet

Step 3: Identify Whole Feet

The whole number is your feet measurement. Write this down with a single apostrophe.

5.84 → 5' (5 feet)

Step 4: Calculate Inches

Multiply the decimal part by 12 to convert to inches. Round to your desired precision.

0.84 × 12 = 10.08 ≈ 10 inches

Step 5: Write in Feet+Inches Format

Combine the feet and inches using proper notation.

Final Answer: 178 cm = 5'10" or 5 ft 10 in

Medical and Healthcare Records

Healthcare providers in the United States require height in feet and inches for medical charts, prescriptions, and BMI calculations. When international patients visit US hospitals or doctors, their height must be converted from centimeters to the ft+in format. Proper conversion ensures accurate dosing for weight-based medications and correct interpretation of growth charts for children.

Identification Documents

Driver's licenses, state IDs, and some passports require height in feet and inches format. When filling out these documents, individuals must convert from metric measurements commonly used in other countries. Accurate conversion prevents discrepancies that could cause issues during identification verification or border crossings.

Online Dating and Social Media

Dating apps and social media profiles in the US typically require height in feet and inches. International users or those more familiar with the metric system need to convert their height accurately. The feet+inches format (5'10") is more intuitive for American users than decimal feet (5.83 ft) or centimeters (178 cm).

Sports and Athletics

American sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB list player heights in feet and inches format. International athletes must have their metric heights converted for media guides, trading cards, and official rosters. Understanding both formats allows fans worldwide to compare athlete statistics accurately.

The 6-Foot Psychological Barrier: In the United States, 6'0" (183 cm) is considered a culturally significant height for men, despite being just a round number in the imperial system. Studies show that people often round up when self-reporting height, with many claiming to be 6 feet when they're actually 5'10" or 5'11".

Measurement Precision Matters: Height measurements can vary by up to 2 cm (about 0.8 inches) throughout the day due to spinal compression. For official documents, measurements are typically taken in the morning and recorded to the nearest half-inch in the US system (e.g., 5'10.5" rather than 5'10.7").

Historical Evolution: The foot as a unit dates back to ancient civilizations, but its exact length varied by region. The modern international foot of exactly 30.48 cm wasn't standardized until 1959. Before this, slight variations existed, causing confusion in international commerce and construction projects.

Conversion Errors Cost Money: Incorrect height conversions have led to costly mistakes in manufacturing and construction. One furniture company faced millions in returns when European bed frames listed in centimeters were incorrectly converted to feet+inches, resulting in products that didn't fit standard US mattresses.

cm = (feet × 30.48) + (inches × 2.54)

Example: Convert 5'8" to cm

cm = (5 × 30.48) + (8 × 2.54)

cm = 152.4 + 20.32

cm = 172.72 cm

Alternative Method: First convert everything to inches, then multiply by 2.54.

Total inches = (5 × 12) + 8 = 68 inches

Centimeters = 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 cm