Feet to Meter
Convert feet to meters instantly. Free ft to m converter with formula, table, and real-world examples. No signup needed.
The feet to meter converter makes it easy to switch between imperial and metric length units instantly. This length conversion is one of the most common unit calculations worldwide. Whether you are checking your height in meters, measuring room dimensions, or reading international construction drawings, the calculation is straightforward. One foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters - a fixed ratio defined by international agreement in 1959. Use the calculator above to convert any value, or follow the formula below.
Feet to Meter Formula
Converting feet to meters requires a single multiplication:
meters = feet x 0.3048
For example, to convert 10 feet to meters: 10 x 0.3048 = 3.048 meters. The conversion factor 0.3048 is exact, not an approximation. It comes from the 1959 international agreement on the foot. Six nations agreed at that time: the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. Before that agreement, the US and UK used slightly different foot values, which caused discrepancies in international measurements.
This 1 foot to meter conversion formula is the same for every value. To 1 feet convert to meter, simply multiply by 0.3048. The unit symbol pair ft m stands for feet to meters in measurement shorthand.
How to Convert Feet to Meters
- Write down your measurement in feet.
- Multiply that number by 0.3048.
- The result is your measurement in meters.
Example: convert 8 feet to meters. 8 x 0.3048 = 2.438 meters. For measurements in feet and inches, convert to decimal feet first. Divide the inches by 12, then add to the whole feet. So 5 feet 9 inches = 5 + (9 / 12) = 5.75 feet = 5.75 x 0.3048 = 1.753 meters.
ft to m Conversion Table
This table covers the most commonly searched values for the ft to m conversion:
| Feet (ft) | Meters (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m |
| 2 ft | 0.6096 m |
| 3 ft | 0.9144 m |
| 4 ft | 1.2192 m |
| 5 ft | 1.5240 m |
| 6 ft | 1.8288 m |
| 7 ft | 2.1336 m |
| 8 ft | 2.4384 m |
| 9 ft | 2.7432 m |
| 10 ft | 3.0480 m |
| 15 ft | 4.5720 m |
| 20 ft | 6.0960 m |
| 25 ft | 7.6200 m |
| 50 ft | 15.2400 m |
| 100 ft | 30.4800 m |
1 Foot in Meters
One foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters. This is not a rounded approximation - 0.3048 is the precise, internationally defined value. In other words, 1 feet is equal to how many metres? Exactly 0.3048. The phrase 1 feet equivalent to meter means the same: 0.3048 m. Whether you write 1 feet equal to meter, 1 feet in meters, or 1 ft to meters, the answer is always 0.3048.
For engineering, surveying, or scientific work, always use the full value. Never round to 0.305 or 0.30. The 1959 international agreement set 1 ft = 0.3048 m. That same agreement defined the inch at 25.4 mm, the yard at 0.9144 m, and the mile at 1.609344 km. Together these create an exact permanent link between imperial and metric systems.
| Feet | Meters (exact) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 ft | 0.1524 m |
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m |
| 1.5 ft | 0.4572 m |
| 2 ft | 0.6096 m |
| 2.5 ft | 0.7620 m |
| 3 ft | 0.9144 m |
5 Feet to Meters
5 feet equals 1.524 meters. This is one of the most searched conversions because 5 feet is a common human height reference worldwide. A person who is exactly 5 feet tall stands 1.524 m high. Heights near 5 feet, converted to metric:
| Height (ft/in) | Decimal Feet | Meters |
|---|---|---|
| 4 feet 10 inches | 4.833 ft | 1.473 m |
| 4 feet 11 inches | 4.917 ft | 1.499 m |
| 5 feet 0 inches | 5.000 ft | 1.524 m |
| 5 feet 1 inch | 5.083 ft | 1.549 m |
| 5 feet 2 inches | 5.167 ft | 1.575 m |
| 5 feet 3 inches | 5.250 ft | 1.600 m |
| 5 feet 4 inches | 5.333 ft | 1.626 m |
6 Feet to Meters
6 feet equals 1.8288 meters. In countries that use feet, 6 feet is widely considered a tall height for an adult male. In metric-speaking countries, the equivalent benchmark is approximately 1.83 m. Heights in the 6-foot range, converted precisely:
| Height (ft/in) | Decimal Feet | Meters |
|---|---|---|
| 5 feet 10 inches | 5.833 ft | 1.778 m |
| 5 feet 11 inches | 5.917 ft | 1.803 m |
| 6 feet 0 inches | 6.000 ft | 1.829 m |
| 6 feet 1 inch | 6.083 ft | 1.854 m |
| 6 feet 2 inches | 6.167 ft | 1.880 m |
| 6 feet 3 inches | 6.250 ft | 1.905 m |
| 6 feet 4 inches | 6.333 ft | 1.930 m |
How to Convert Feet and Inches to Meters
When a height is in feet and inches, for example 5 feet 10 inches, use these two steps to convert feet to meters:
- Convert the inches to a decimal fraction of a foot: divide the inches by 12.
- Add that decimal to the whole feet, then multiply by 0.3048.
Formula: meters = (feet + inches/12) x 0.3048
Worked examples:
- 5 feet 10 inches: (5 + 10/12) x 0.3048 = 5.833 x 0.3048 = 1.778 m
- 6 feet 2 inches: (6 + 2/12) x 0.3048 = 6.167 x 0.3048 = 1.880 m
- 5 feet 5 inches: (5 + 5/12) x 0.3048 = 5.417 x 0.3048 = 1.651 m
- 4 feet 8 inches: (4 + 8/12) x 0.3048 = 4.667 x 0.3048 = 1.422 m
This two-step approach works for any feet-and-inches combination. The calculator at the top of this page accepts decimal feet, so convert to decimal feet first using the formula above, then enter the result.
How Many Meters in a Foot?
There are 0.3048 meters in one foot. Equivalently, 1 meter equals approximately 3.281 feet. The ratio is fixed because the foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters under the International Yard and Pound Agreement. The convert feet to meters formula itself introduces no rounding error. Only the precision of your input determines the final result.
Meters to Feet - Reverse Conversion
To convert meters back to feet, divide by 0.3048 or multiply by 3.28084:
feet = meters / 0.3048
Common reverse conversions:
- 1.7 m = 1.7 / 0.3048 = 5.577 ft (5 feet 7 inches)
- 1.8 m = 1.8 / 0.3048 = 5.906 ft (5 feet 11 inches)
- 2.0 m = 2.0 / 0.3048 = 6.562 ft (6 feet 7 inches)
For the full reverse tool, use DigiCalc's cm to feet converter which handles both centimeters and meters to feet and inches.
Common Height Conversions: Feet to Meters
Height is the most frequent reason people need to convert feet to meters. International forms, medical records, and sports databases in most countries use metric height. Here are well-known reference heights converted to metric:
- Average adult male height (global): 5 feet 7 inches (5.583 ft) = 1.702 m
- Average adult female height (global): 5 feet 3 inches (5.25 ft) = 1.600 m
- Typical residential doorframe: 6 feet 8 inches (6.667 ft) = 2.032 m
- Standard basketball hoop height: 10 ft = 3.048 m
- NBA average player height: 6 feet 6 inches (6.5 ft) = 1.981 m
- Standard residential ceiling height: 8 ft = 2.438 m
- Robert Wadlow (tallest person on record): 8 feet 11 inches (8.925 ft) = 2.720 m
Real-World Uses of the Feet to Meter Conversion
The feet to meter conversion appears across many practical situations beyond measuring height:
- Construction and architecture: US blueprints use feet and inches, while international specifications use meters. A 9-foot ceiling equals 2.743 m. This conversion is essential when working with imported materials or international contractors.
- Aviation: Aircraft altitude is measured in feet in most countries. Flight Level 350 means 35,000 ft = 10,668 m. Some countries use meters for aviation altitudes, which requires constant conversion between systems.
- Swimming and athletics: Olympic swimming pools are exactly 50 meters long, equivalent to approximately 164 feet. Track and field events use meters for all official distances.
- Real estate: When comparing properties internationally, floor area in square feet must be converted to square meters. One square foot equals 0.0929 square meters, so a 1,000 sq ft apartment equals 92.9 square meters.
What Is a Foot?
A foot (symbol: ft) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary measurement systems. One foot equals 12 inches or one third of a yard. The foot has existed as a measurement unit for thousands of years. It was originally based on the average length of a human foot, a body-based standard that varied between civilizations and regions. The ancient Roman foot (pes) measured about 11.65 inches, while the medieval English foot differed again.
Standardization came slowly: in 1305, England fixed the foot at 12 inches. The current international foot was set at exactly 0.3048 meters in 1959. Six nations agreed on this standard: the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. The United States also recognizes a survey foot (0.30480060960 m) used in older land records. The difference is less than 0.001% and has no practical impact for everyday calculations.
What Is a Meter?
A meter (symbol: m) is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines the meter as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. This definition was adopted in 1983 and replaced earlier standards based on physical objects.
Earlier standards included the original platinum-iridium prototype meter bar kept in Sevres, France. Before that, the meter represented one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the equator. Today, the meter relies on a universal physical constant, making it reproducible by any laboratory in the world. The meter is the official unit of length in over 95 percent of countries.
Feet to Meters for Construction and Interior Design
Construction measurements in the US are given in feet and inches, but international building codes and product specifications use meters. Here are the most common building dimensions converted:
| Building Measurement | Feet | Meters |
|---|---|---|
| Standard door height | 6 ft 8 in (6.667 ft) | 2.032 m |
| Standard door width | 2 ft 8 in (2.667 ft) | 0.813 m |
| Standard ceiling height | 8 ft | 2.438 m |
| High ceiling (luxury homes) | 10 ft | 3.048 m |
| Standard stair riser height | 0.583 ft (7 in) | 0.178 m |
| Standard stair tread depth | 0.917 ft (11 in) | 0.279 m |
| Standard parking space length | 18 ft | 5.486 m |
| Single car garage width | 10 ft | 3.048 m |
When ordering building materials from European or Asian suppliers, contractors must convert all measurements to meters. A room measuring 12 feet by 15 feet equals 3.658 m by 4.572 m. The floor area of 180 square feet equals 16.72 square meters.
Feet vs Meters - Which Countries Use Which?
Feet are used as the primary everyday unit of length in three countries: the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar. The United Kingdom officially converted to metric in the 1960s and 1970s but retains feet for road distances, human height, and some construction contexts. Canada converted to metric officially in 1970 but many Canadians still describe height in feet and inches.
The rest of the world uses meters. International scientific literature, engineering standards, medical records, and government documents are almost entirely metric. This dual reality explains why the feet to meter converter sees heavy daily traffic worldwide.
In international trade and manufacturing, specifications always use meters or millimeters. A product manufactured in the US to 18-inch dimensions must be listed as 0.457 m for sale in European markets. For international travelers, knowing that 6 feet equals 1.83 m is practical. It helps when reading height restrictions at amusement parks, aircraft cabin specifications, and hotel bed dimensions listed in metric.
Limitations of This Converter
This calculator accepts decimal feet as input. If you have a measurement in feet and inches, convert to decimal feet first: divide the inches by 12 and add to the feet. So 6 feet 3 inches = 6 + (3 / 12) = 6.25 feet = 1.905 meters. This converter handles linear feet only. Square feet to square meters and cubic feet to cubic meters need different formulas.
For smaller-scale conversions, DigiCalc's mm to inches converter covers the metric-to-imperial range. For longer distances, use the kilometers to miles converter.
For a complete set of length conversions, use DigiCalc's length converter.
You may also find DigiCalc's feet to inches converter useful.