Length
Feet and inches together
Fold everything into inches first, then apply the inch factor once. This avoids reading 6'2" as 6.2.
The Formula
m = (ft x 12 + in) x 0.0254
Fold everything into inches first, then apply the inch factor once. This avoids reading 6'2" as 6.2.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ft | Whole feet | feet | The number before the apostrophe in a measurement such as 6'2". |
| in | Extra inches | inches | The number after it. Each inch is exactly 0.0254 m. |
| m | Length in metres | metres | For 6 ft 2 in this is 74 x 0.0254 = 1.8796. |
What Each Symbol Means
ftfeet
Whole feet
The number before the apostrophe in a measurement such as 6'2".
ininches
Extra inches
The number after it. Each inch is exactly 0.0254 m.
mmetres
Length in metres
For 6 ft 2 in this is 74 x 0.0254 = 1.8796.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to convert feet to meters page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Convert Feet To Meters, filed under Unit Conversion. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.