Exact calculation
One inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres. Divide 180 by 2.54 to get 70.8661 inches. Sixty inches make five feet, leaving 10.8661 inches.
Total inches = centimetres ÷ 2.54. Whole feet = total inches ÷ 12, ignoring the remainder. Remaining inches = total inches − (whole feet × 12).
Nearby centimetre heights
| Centimetres | Feet and inches | Nearest whole inch |
|---|---|---|
| 175 cm | 5 ft 8.90 in | 5 ft 9 in |
| 176 cm | 5 ft 9.29 in | 5 ft 9 in |
| 177 cm | 5 ft 9.69 in | 5 ft 10 in |
| 178 cm | 5 ft 10.08 in | 5 ft 10 in |
| 179 cm | 5 ft 10.47 in | 5 ft 10 in |
| 180 cm | 5 ft 10.87 in | 5 ft 11 in |
| 181 cm | 5 ft 11.26 in | 5 ft 11 in |
| 182 cm | 5 ft 11.65 in | 6 ft 0 in |
| 183 cm | 6 ft 0.05 in | 6 ft 0 in |
Which result should you use?
Use 5.9055 feet when a form asks for decimal feet. Use 5 feet 10.87 inches when precision matters. Use 5 feet 11 inches for ordinary height descriptions. Do not write 5.10 feet: decimal feet and feet-and-inches are different formats.
Reverse check
Five feet 11 inches equals 71 inches. Multiplying by exactly 2.54 gives 180.34 cm, so it is close to—but not exactly—the same as 180 cm.
Common questions
Is 180 cm six feet?
No. Six feet is exactly 182.88 cm, making 180 cm about 2.88 cm shorter.
Why do converters show slightly different answers?
They usually use the same exact factor but round at different stages. Keep the unrounded number until the final display.
For other values and units, use the full length converter.