Units of Distance Measurement Table

To perform the conversion from one system to another, use the following table.

To use the table, begin in the left hand column and locate the unit of measure you are going to convert from. Next, follow straight across the row to the middle column for the desired unit of measure (e.g., from feet to meters). Finally, locate the conversion factor (e.g., 0.3048).

Convert fromToMultiply by

meters (m)

feet (ft)

3.28084

centimeters (cm)

inches (in)

0.3937008

millimeters (mm)

inches (in)

0.03937008

feet (ft)

meters (m)

0.3048

inches (in)

centimeters (cm)

2.54

inches(in)

millimeters (mm)

25.4

While proper math rules state that any rounding should be delayed until the final step to avoid rounding errors, for the purposes of this course, it is not always necessary to use a multiplier out to the hundred-millionth. For example, many times 3.28084 is rounded off to 3.28 while 0.03937008 is rounded off to 0.03937.

How many feet are in 25 meters?

Step one:

Using the conversion table, locate the "convert from" column and find "meters." Proceed across the row to "feet." Identify the conversion factor.

Step two:

Perform the calculation.

Total feet = number of meters * 3.28

Total feet = 25 * 3.28

Total feet = 82 feet

How many millimeters are in 15 inches?

Step one:

Using the conversion table, locate the "convert from" column and find "inches". Proceed across the row to "millimeters." Identify the conversion factor.

Step two:

Perform the calculation.

Total millimeters = number of inches * 25.4

Total millimeters = 15 * 25.4

Total millimeters = 381 mm