What is a Centimeter (cm) ?
A centimeter (cm) is a length measure in the International System of Units (SI). 1 centimeter (cm) is equivalent to one-hundredth of a meter (1 cm = 0.01 m). The metric system is used widely around the globe for scientific, engineering, and daily measurements due to its simplicity and standardization.
Applications of Centimeter
- Everyday Measures: Centimeters are preferable in terms of measuring small objects – such as the height of a person, the dimensions of furniture, or the size of a book.
- Science and Engineering: In physics, engineering, and biology areas, centimeters are used to supply detailed measurement to be computed or for experimentation or design.
- Construction and Design: For example, when designing or building something like furniture, clothes, or architectural models, centimeters are indeed preferred.
What is an Inch?
An inch is a unit of length in the imperial system, mainly used in the United States and a few other places. One inch is equivalent to 1/12 of a foot or exactly 2.54 centimeters.
Applications of Inch
- Home Construction: In the U.S., inches are the standard unit for measuring the length of objects such as wood boards, piping, and other building materials.
- Screen Sizes: Inches are commonly used to express the diagonal measurement of any television, smartphone, or computer screen.
- Clothing and Footwear: U.S. and UK sizes of clothing and footwear are usually stated in inches.
Centimeters to Inches Conversion Chart
The following conversion chart would be a useful reminder. The following conversions have been done based on the fact that 1 centimeter is equivalent to 0.3937 inches.
| Centimeters (cm) | Inches (in) |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.3937 in |
| 5 cm | 1.9685 in |
| 10 cm | 3.937 in |
| 15 cm | 5.9055 in |
| 20 cm | 7.874 in |
| 25 cm | 9.8425 in |
| 50 cm | 19.685 in |
| 100 cm | 39.37 in |
This table can be used to make a fast guesstimate conversions of centimeter to inches, especially when the precision is not critical.
How to Convert Centimeters to Inches?
Converting centimeters to inches is simple because of the conversion factor that’s already established as below:
1 Centimeter = 0.3937 InchesTo convert from centimeters to inches, multiply the length in centimeters by 0.3937.
Formula for Centimeters to Inches Conversion
Inches = Centimeters × 0.3937Step-by-Step Conversion Example
Example 1: Convert 20 cm to inches
Applying the conversion formula:
Inches = 20 × 0.3937Calculate:
20 × 0.3937 = 7.874 InchesThus, 20 cm is equivalent to 7.874 inches.
Example 2: Convert 50 cm to inches
Applying the conversion formula:
Inches = 50 × 0.3937Calculate:
50 × 0.3937 = 19.685 InchesThus, 50 cm is equivalent to 19.685 inches.