Convert meters to feet
PrintMeter to Foot Conversion Table
| Meter (m) | Foot (ft) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 m | 0.032808399 ft |
| 0.1 m | 0.3280839895 ft |
| 1 m | 3.280839895 ft |
| 2 m | 6.56167979 ft |
| 3 m | 9.842519685 ft |
| 5 m | 16.404199475 ft |
| 10 m | 32.80839895 ft |
| 20 m | 65.6167979 ft |
| 50 m | 164.04199475 ft |
| 100 m | 328.0839895 ft |
| 1000 m | 3280.839895 ft |
Feet and meters are the two primary units used globally to express human height, building ceilings, aircraft flight altitudes, mountain elevations, and structural engineering dimensions. While the foot (ft) is the standard customary unit used in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and international aviation flight control (flight levels), the meter (m) is the official International System of Units (SI) distance standard used by over 90% of the world’s population across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and international science.
Our free online Feet to Meters Converter provides instant, high-precision length conversions in both directions:
- Feet to Meters: Multiply feet by
0.3048(exact international standard). - Meters to Feet: Divide meters by
0.3048(or multiply by3.2808399).
Exact Conversion Formulas: Feet & Meters
Since the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, one international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters (304.8 millimeters or 12 inches). This establishes exact mathematical relationships:
| Conversion Direction | Exact Mathematical Formula | Quick Mental Approximation Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Feet to Meters | Meters = Feet × 0.3048 |
Divide feet by 3 (e.g., 15 ft ÷ 3 = 5 meters). |
| Meters to Feet | Feet = Meters ÷ 0.3048 |
Multiply meters by 3.3 (e.g., 10 m × 3.3 = 33 feet). |
Step-by-Step Calculation Example
To convert 15 feet to meters:
15 ft × 0.3048 = 4.572 meters
Thus, 15 feet is equal to exactly 4.572 meters.
Foot to Meter Conversion Table
Below is a quick reference lookup table converting customary height and altitude measurements from 0.01 feet up to 30,000 feet:
| Feet (ft) | Meters (m) | Height, Aviation & Structural Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| 0.01 ft | 0.003048 m | 3.048 millimeters |
| 0.10 ft | 0.030480 m | 3.048 centimeters (1.2 inches) |
| 1.00 ft | 0.304800 m | 1.0 Foot Exact Benchmark (Shoe size US 14 Male / 46 EU) |
| 5.50 ft (5′ 6″) | 1.676400 m | Average adult female height (~1.68 m) |
| 6.00 ft (6′ 0″) | 1.828800 m | 6-foot adult height benchmark (1.83 m) |
| 8.00 ft | 2.438400 m | Standard residential room ceiling height |
| 10.00 ft | 3.048000 m | Regulation basketball hoop height (3.048 m) |
| 100.00 ft | 30.480000 m | 10-story building height / 100 ft length |
| 1,000.00 ft | 304.800000 m | Skyscraper height (~304.8 m) |
| 29,031.7 ft | 8,848.860000 m | Mount Everest summit elevation (8,848.86 m) |
| 30,000.0 ft | 9,144.000000 m | Commercial airliner cruising altitude FL300 (9.14 km) |
History & Standards: Foot vs. Meter
The Historical Origin of the Foot (ft)
Historically, the foot was an anthropic measurement based on the length of a human foot, used across ancient Greek, Roman, English, French, and Chinese systems (ranging from 250 mm to 335 mm). In 1959, the International Yard and Pound Agreement standardized the international foot to exactly 0.3048 meters (304.8 mm). Today, 1 international foot corresponds directly to human foot length wearing a men’s shoe size 14 US (13 UK / 46 EU).
The Definition of the Meter (m)
The meter is the SI base unit of length. Established in 1793 in France, it was redefined in 1983 by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1 / 299,792,458th of a second.
To convert meters back to feet, use our Meters to Feet Converter. For centimeter height conversions, check our Cm to Feet Converter or Height Calculator. For general unit transformations, explore our Conversion Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many meters are in 1 foot?
There are exactly 0.3048 meters in 1 foot (30.48 centimeters).
How many feet are in 1 meter?
There are approximately 3.28084 feet in 1 meter (1 ÷ 0.3048).
What is a 6-foot height in meters?
A height of 6 feet equals 6 × 0.3048 = 1.8288 meters (commonly rounded to 1.83 m).
Why does international aviation express cruising altitude in feet instead of meters?
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted flight levels measured in feet (e.g., FL300 = 30,000 feet) following World War II to maintain global standardization across air traffic control radar and altimeter displays, though China and Russia utilize meters for domestic airspace.