Length Converter & Distance Calculator
Bridging the gap between Metric and Imperial. Perfect for construction, engineering, physics, and everyday measurements like height and travel distance.
Convert Length
Quick Conversions
Results
Enter length value and select units to convert
Conversion Path
Reference Lengths
Length Conversion Factors
Meter to Foot
1 m = 3.28084 ft
Kilometer to Mile
1 km = 0.621371 mi
Inch to Centimeter
1 in = 2.54 cm
Foot to Yard
1 ft = 0.333333 yd
Using the Calculator
Input Length
Type your number in the main "Length Value" box.
Choose Units
Select which unit you have (From) and which you need (To) from the lists.
View Result
The calculation happens automatically or upon clicking the button.
Metric vs. Imperial: The Great Divide
The world is split into two camps: those who use the Metric System (SI) and the United States, which sticks to the Imperial/Customary System.
The Metric Logic (Base 10)
Born in the French Revolution, the metric system is logical. Everything scales by 10.
10 mm = 1 cm
100 cm = 1 m
1000 m = 1 km
Water freezes at 0° and boils at 100°. Beautifully simple.
The Imperial Tradition
Based on ancient Roman and Anglo-Saxon history. It's human-scaled but mathematically
chaotic.
12 inches = 1 foot
3 feet = 1 yard
5,280 feet = 1 mile
It survives because it's deeply embedded in US infrastructure and culture.
Measuring the Universe: Small to Big
| Scale | Unit | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic | Angstrom (Å) | Measuring atoms and chemical bonds. 1 Å = 0.1 nanometers. |
| Microscopic | Micron (µm) | Bacteria, biological cells, and microchip manufacturing. |
| Human | Meter / Foot | Architecture, height, furniture, room sizes. |
| Planetary | Astronomical Unit (AU) | Distance from Earth to Sun (~93 million miles). |
| Interstellar | Light Year | Distance light travels in one year (approx 5.88 trillion miles). |
Common Questions
Why is a mile 5,280 feet?
It's a historical mashup! The original Roman mile was 5,000 feet. However, British agriculture used the "furlong" (660 ft) as a standard field length. To fit 8 furlongs into a mile, Queen Elizabeth I redefined the mile as 5,280 feet in 1593.
What is a "Country Mile"?
This is an idiom, not a measurement. It refers to a distance that feels longer than expected, often due to winding rural roads where "as the crow flies" is much shorter.
How tall is the average person?
Global average male height is roughly 171 cm (5 ft 7.5 in). Global average female height is roughly 159 cm (5 ft 2.5 in). These averages vary significantly by country.