Feet to Meters (ft to m) Conversion

This calculator converts a length from feet to meters using the exact international relationship between the two units. It is handy for room dimensions, building plans, elevation, sports measurements, product specifications, and any record that needs to move between US customary and SI units.

The physical length does not change during conversion; only its numerical description and unit change. One international foot is exactly 0.3048 meter, so the multiplication factor itself introduces no measurement uncertainty. Any uncertainty comes from the original measurement and the rounding you choose for the result.

This is a linear conversion, so it works the same way for a small component and a long route. It does not convert area or volume: square feet and cubic feet require the factor to be raised to the second or third power.

1. Enter the length in feet. Decimal feet are accepted, including values such as 5.5 feet.
2. Select Calculate. The page multiplies the entered number by 0.3048.
3. Read the result in meters. Keep enough decimal places for the purpose of the measurement.
4. If the original value is written in feet and inches, convert the inches to a fraction of a foot first by dividing inches by 12, then add that to the feet.

For example, 5 feet 6 inches becomes 5 + 6/12 = 5.5 feet before conversion. Negative values are mathematically valid for coordinates, depths relative to a datum, or signed displacement, though ordinary object lengths are normally nonnegative.

When copying a value from a drawing or data file, preserve its sign and decimal point. A comma may be a decimal separator in some locales but a thousands separator in others, so confirm how the original value is written before entering it.

• Dividing by 0.3048 when converting feet to meters; division is used for the reverse direction.
• Treating 5 feet 6 inches as 5.6 feet. Six inches equals 0.5 foot, so the correct decimal is 5.5.
• Using 0.30 as the factor and losing useful accuracy.
• Rounding an intermediate result before it is used in another calculation.
• Leaving the converted number labeled “ft” instead of “m.”
• Confusing square feet with feet. Area conversion requires squaring the length factor.
• Assuming an old survey record necessarily uses the international foot without checking its datum and metadata.

• NIST — SI Units: Length
• NIST — U.S. Survey Foot retirement and unit history
• BIPM — The International System of Units brochure