Centimeters to Meters Converter

About the cm to m calculation

One centimeter is exactly 0.01 meters, so converting between them is a single multiplication. Enter any value above and the result updates as you type. How height and clothing sizes are quoted almost everywhere outside the US. The SI base unit of length, defined by the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.

Formula

m = cm × 0.01

1 cm = 0.01 m
1 m = 100 cm

Worked example

To convert 180 cm, multiply by 0.01: 180 × 0.01 = 1.8 m.

Frequently asked questions

How many meters are in a centimeter?

There are 0.01 meters in one centimeter. To convert any amount, multiply the number of centimeters by 0.01.

How do I convert meters back to centimeters?

Divide instead of multiplying, or equivalently multiply by 100. One meter is 100 centimeters.

Is this conversion exact?

Yes. Since the international agreement of 1959, the relationship between centimeters and meters is defined exactly rather than measured, so the only rounding here is in how many decimal places we show.

Where is each of these units used?

Centimeters: how height and clothing sizes are quoted almost everywhere outside the US. Meters: the SI base unit of length, defined by the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.

Sources

• NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units