Feet to Metres Converter 2026 | ft to m Calculator

Feet to Metres Converter 2026

Convert Feet to Metres Instantly

Accurate Imperial to Metric Conversion Calculator

Converting feet to metres is essential for construction, engineering, and international projects. Our feet to metres converter provides instant, accurate conversions following NIST standards and international measurement systems. The conversion is based on the internationally agreed definition where 1 foot equals exactly 0.3048 metres.

This feet to meters calculator handles all common measurement scenarios from architectural drawings to civil engineering projects. Whether converting building dimensions, land measurements, or construction specifications, our tool ensures accuracy compliant with International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) standards for 2026.

📏 Feet to Metres Converter

Enter feet value for instant metric conversion

Conversion Input

Feet Value

Additional Inches (optional)

Conversion Type

How to Convert Feet to Metres

The feet to metres conversion is based on the international foot definition established in 1959. The exact conversion factor is: 1 foot = 0.3048 metres. This standard is used globally for all engineering, construction, and scientific applications as defined by NIST.

📐 Conversion Formula:

Metres = Feet × 0.3048
Feet = Metres × 3.28084
For feet and inches: Convert inches to feet first (divide by 12), then apply formula
Example: 10 feet = 10 × 0.3048 = 3.048 metres
Example: 5 metres = 5 × 3.28084 = 16.4042 feet

Quick Conversion Reference Table

Feet (ft)	Metres (m)	Centimetres (cm)	Common Use
1 ft	0.3048 m	30.48 cm	Small measurements
3 ft	0.9144 m	91.44 cm	Door width, desk height
5 ft	1.524 m	152.4 cm	Person height
6 ft	1.8288 m	182.88 cm	Door height
8 ft	2.4384 m	243.84 cm	Ceiling height
10 ft	3.048 m	304.8 cm	Room dimension
15 ft	4.572 m	457.2 cm	Small room width
20 ft	6.096 m	609.6 cm	Standard room length
30 ft	9.144 m	914.4 cm	Large room dimension
50 ft	15.24 m	1524 cm	Building width
100 ft	30.48 m	3048 cm	Large building dimension
328.08 ft	100 m	10000 cm	Athletic track length

1 Foot

Metres 0.3048 m

Centimetres 30.48 cm

5 Feet

Metres 1.524 m

Centimetres 152.4 cm

10 Feet

Metres 3.048 m

Centimetres 304.8 cm

20 Feet

Metres 6.096 m

Centimetres 609.6 cm

100 Feet

Metres 30.48 m

Centimetres 3048 cm

Understanding Imperial and Metric Systems

The imperial system (feet, inches, yards) originated in the United Kingdom and is still widely used in the United States and for construction in the UK. The metric system (metres, centimetres) is the international standard adopted by most countries worldwide and required for technical documentation per ISO standards.

Imperial System (Feet)

Origin: British Imperial measurements

Primary Users: USA, UK construction

Base Unit: Foot (12 inches)

Advantages: Familiar in US/UK markets, divisible by many factors

Common Applications: Building construction, real estate, height measurements

Metric System (Metres)

Origin: French decimal system (1790s)

Primary Users: Worldwide standard (95% of countries)

Base Unit: Metre (100 centimetres)

Advantages: Decimal system, easy calculations, scientific standard

Common Applications: Engineering, science, international trade

Construction Industry Usage

UK Practice: Mixed usage - metric for technical drawings, imperial for on-site

US Practice: Predominantly imperial measurements

International Projects: Metric required for documentation

Building Regulations: UK Building Regs accept both with proper conversion

Conversion Accuracy Standards

Survey Foot vs International Foot: 0.0001% difference

Precision Required: ±1mm for construction

Rounding Standards: Typically 2-3 decimal places

Standard Reference: NIST Special Publication 811 (2026 edition)

Common Conversion Applications

Feet to metres conversion is essential across multiple industries. From residential construction to civil engineering, accurate measurement conversion prevents costly errors and ensures compliance with international standards and building codes.

Construction and Building

Room Dimensions

Typical Ceiling: 8 ft = 2.44 m (UK standard)

High Ceiling: 10 ft = 3.05 m

Standard Bedroom: 12 ft × 10 ft = 3.66 m × 3.05 m

Living Room: 20 ft × 15 ft = 6.1 m × 4.57 m

Door and Window Openings

Standard Door Height: 6 ft 8 in = 2.03 m

Standard Door Width: 3 ft = 0.91 m

Window Sill Height: 3 ft = 0.91 m

Window Width: 4 ft = 1.22 m

Building Plot Measurements

Small Plot: 50 ft × 100 ft = 15.24 m × 30.48 m

Standard Plot: 100 ft × 150 ft = 30.48 m × 45.72 m

Large Plot: 200 ft × 300 ft = 60.96 m × 91.44 m

Commercial Site: 500 ft × 500 ft = 152.4 m × 152.4 m

Foundation Depths

Shallow Foundation: 3 ft = 0.91 m

Standard Foundation: 4 ft = 1.22 m

Deep Foundation: 6 ft = 1.83 m

Basement Depth: 8-10 ft = 2.44-3.05 m

Fence and Boundary Walls

Garden Fence: 6 ft = 1.83 m

Privacy Fence: 8 ft = 2.44 m

Boundary Wall: 6-8 ft = 1.83-2.44 m

Commercial Fence: 10 ft = 3.05 m

Driveway and Path Widths

Footpath: 4 ft = 1.22 m

Single Drive: 10 ft = 3.05 m

Double Drive: 20 ft = 6.1 m

Access Road: 30 ft = 9.14 m

Feet and Inches to Metres Conversion

Converting feet and inches to metres requires a two-step process. First convert inches to decimal feet (divide by 12), then multiply total feet by 0.3048. This is particularly important in construction where imperial measurements often include both feet and inches.

✅ Feet and Inches Conversion Steps:

Step 1: Convert inches to decimal feet: Inches ÷ 12
Step 2: Add result to whole feet value
Step 3: Multiply total by 0.3048 to get metres
Example: 5 feet 6 inches = 5 + (6÷12) = 5.5 feet
Result: 5.5 × 0.3048 = 1.6764 metres

Feet and Inches Reference Table

Feet & Inches	Decimal Feet	Metres (m)	Centimetres (cm)
5' 0"	5.00 ft	1.524 m	152.4 cm
5' 6"	5.50 ft	1.676 m	167.6 cm
6' 0"	6.00 ft	1.829 m	182.9 cm
6' 6"	6.50 ft	1.981 m	198.1 cm
8' 0"	8.00 ft	2.438 m	243.8 cm
10' 6"	10.50 ft	3.200 m	320.0 cm
12' 0"	12.00 ft	3.658 m	365.8 cm
15' 3"	15.25 ft	4.648 m	464.8 cm
20' 0"	20.00 ft	6.096 m	609.6 cm
25' 6"	25.50 ft	7.772 m	777.2 cm

5 feet 6 inches

Decimal Feet 5.50 ft

Metres 1.676 m

Centimetres 167.6 cm

6 feet 0 inches

Decimal Feet 6.00 ft

Metres 1.829 m

Centimetres 182.9 cm

10 feet 6 inches

Decimal Feet 10.50 ft

Metres 3.200 m

Centimetres 320.0 cm

20 feet 0 inches

Decimal Feet 20.00 ft

Metres 6.096 m

Centimetres 609.6 cm

Precision and Accuracy in Conversions

Different applications require varying levels of precision. Construction typically requires accuracy to ±1-2mm, while survey work may need greater precision. Our feet to metres converter provides results to 4 decimal places, exceeding standard construction requirements as specified by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

⚠️ Common Conversion Errors to Avoid:

Rounding too early: Complete full calculation before rounding final result
Mixing feet and inches: Always convert inches to decimal feet first
Using approximate factors: 0.3048 is exact, never use 0.3 or similar approximations
Forgetting unit labels: Always specify units to avoid confusion
Survey foot confusion: US survey foot (0.3048006 m) differs slightly from international foot
Calculator errors: Verify important measurements with manual calculation

International Standards and Regulations

The international foot was standardized in 1959 as exactly 0.3048 metres by agreement between English-speaking nations. This definition is maintained by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and forms the basis for all modern conversions in 2026.

UK Building Regulations

Primary System: Metric (metres) for technical documentation

Permitted: Imperial measurements with metric equivalents

Drawings: Must include metric dimensions

Trade Practice: Mixed usage still common on site

International Construction Projects

Standard: ISO metric system mandatory

Documentation: All specifications in metres

Equipment: Machinery calibrated in metric

Contracts: Quantities measured in metric units

Engineering Standards

Civil Engineering: Metric system per ICE standards

Structural Design: Eurocode uses millimetres and metres

CAD Software: Can work in both systems

Calculations: SI units (metric) required for technical reports

Land Surveying

UK Ordnance Survey: Uses metres as standard

US Survey: Still uses survey feet in some states

GPS Systems: Output in metric worldwide

Legal Documents: May specify either system

Using the Feet to Metres Calculator

Our calculator streamlines the conversion process for construction professionals, architects, and engineers. Simply enter your measurement in feet (and optionally inches) for instant results in metres, centimetres, and millimetres with precision suitable for all construction applications.

💡 Calculator Features:

Bidirectional conversion: Convert feet to metres or metres to feet
Feet and inches input: Handles mixed imperial measurements
Multiple unit outputs: Results in metres, centimetres, millimetres
Construction context: Shows common applications for your measurement
Precision control: Results to 4 decimal places for accuracy
Mobile-friendly: Works on all devices and screen sizes

Feet to Metres Converter FAQs

How many metres are in a foot?

One foot equals exactly 0.3048 metres. This is the internationally agreed definition established in 1959 and used worldwide. The conversion is precise and not an approximation. For practical purposes: 1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 m = 3.28084 ft.

How do I convert 5 feet 6 inches to metres?

First convert inches to decimal feet: 6 inches ÷ 12 = 0.5 feet. Add to whole feet: 5 + 0.5 = 5.5 feet. Then multiply by 0.3048: 5.5 × 0.3048 = 1.6764 metres. This equals approximately 1.68 metres or 168 centimetres.

Why do we use 0.3048 for conversion?

The factor 0.3048 comes from the 1959 international agreement that defined 1 yard as exactly 0.9144 metres. Since 1 yard = 3 feet, we get 1 foot = 0.9144 ÷ 3 = 0.3048 metres exactly. This standard is maintained by NIST and BIPM.

Is there a difference between US and UK feet?

No, both the US and UK use the international foot defined as exactly 0.3048 metres since 1959. However, some US land surveys still use the "survey foot" (0.3048006 m) for historical continuity. For construction and general use, the international foot is universal.

Can I use feet in UK building regulations?

UK Building Regulations technically require metric units (metres) for all official documentation and drawings. However, imperial measurements are still widely used in UK construction practice. Professional drawings must show metric dimensions, though imperial equivalents can be included for reference.

What precision do I need for construction measurements?

Standard construction requires accuracy to ±1-2mm (±0.001-0.002m). For conversions, use at least 3 decimal places for metres (e.g., 3.048m not 3.05m). Structural engineering and precision work may require 4 decimal places. Our calculator provides 4 decimal places for maximum accuracy.

How many feet are in 10 metres?

10 metres = 32.8084 feet, which is approximately 32 feet 9.7 inches. To convert metres to feet, multiply by 3.28084. This conversion is the inverse of feet to metres and is equally precise for all construction and engineering applications.

What's the easiest way to remember the conversion?

A practical rule of thumb: 3 feet ≈ 1 metre (slightly less). More precisely, remember that 1 foot = 30.48 centimetres, or about 30 cm. For quick estimates: multiply feet by 3 to get approximate metres (divide by 10 for precision). For exact work, always use 0.3048.

Do I need to convert feet to metres for concrete calculations?

Yes, if using our concrete calculator, measurements should be in consistent units. Most concrete mix calculations work in cubic metres, so converting feet to metres first ensures accurate material quantities. Alternatively, keep all dimensions in feet and calculate cubic feet.

Are online converters accurate enough for professional use?

Yes, provided they use the exact conversion factor (0.3048) and sufficient decimal precision. Our calculator uses the official NIST standard conversion factor with 4 decimal place accuracy, making it suitable for all professional construction, engineering, and architectural applications. Always verify critical measurements.