Feet To Meters Conversion

1 ft = 0.3048 m

Want to convert from meters to feet instead?

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The Ratio Between Feet and Meters

Visualising the relationship between feet and meters makes it easier to convert between the two. Feet are used to establish the baseline ruler and the meters ruler is sized in relation to that baseline.

conversion scale showing the ratio between feet and the equivalent number of meters

How to convert feet to meters (ft to m)

The conversion factor between feet and meters is 1 foot = 0.3048 meters which means that 1 foot is equal to approximately 0.3048 meters. To calculate how many meters are in a foot, you can multiply the measurement in feet by the conversion factor (0.3048). Here's the foot to meter conversion formula: m = ft × 0.3048.Conversely, to convert from meters to feet, you would use the inverse of the conversion factor: 1 meter = 1 ÷ 0.3048 ≈ 3.281 feet.

Example Conversion

Let's take a look at an example. The step-by-step process to convert 3 feet to meters is:

Understand the conversion formula: m = ft × 0.3048
Substitute the required value. In this case we substitute 3 for ft so the formula becomes: m = 3 × 0.3048
Calculate the result using the provided values. In our example the result is: 3 × 0.3048 = 0.9144 m

In summary, 3 feet is equal to 0.9144 meters.

Converting meters to feet

In order to convert the other way around i.e. meters to feet, you would use the following formula: ft = m × 3.28084. To convert meters to feet first substitute the meter value into the above formula, and then execute the calculation. If we wanted to calculate 1 meter in feet we follow these steps:

ft = m × 3.28084

ft = 1 × 3.28084

ft = 3.28084

Or in other words, 1 meter is equal to 3.28084 feet.

Conversion Unit Definitions

What is a Foot?

The foot (pl. feet), standard symbol: ft, is a unit of length in the British imperial and United States customary systems of measurement. The prime symbol, ′, is a customarily used alternative symbol. Since the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, one foot is defined as 0.3048 meters exactly. In both customary and imperial units, one foot comprises 12 inches and one yard comprises three feet.

Historically the "foot" was a part of many local systems of units, including the Greek, Roman, Chinese, French, and English systems. It varied in length from country to country, from city to city, and sometimes from trade to trade. Its length was usually between 250 mm and 335 mm and was generally, but not always, subdivided into 12 inches or 16 digits.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that uses the international foot in preference to the meter in its commercial, engineering, and standards activities. The foot is legally recognized in the United Kingdom; road signs must use imperial units (however, distances on road signs are always marked in miles or yards, not feet), while its usage is widespread among the British public as a measurement of height.

Here are some more details about the foot:

Historical Context: The foot has been used as a unit of measurement for thousands of years and has roots in various ancient civilizations. It was originally based on the length of a human foot, but over time, standardized units were developed to ensure consistency.
Imperial and US Customary Systems: The foot is a fundamental unit in both the Imperial system and the United States Customary system. These systems of measurement are closely related and share many common units. The foot is divided into 12 inches and is further subdivided into smaller units such as the inch, half-inch, quarter-inch, etc.
Length Conversion: As mentioned earlier, one foot is equal to 12 inches or approximately 30.48 centimeters. Conversely, one inch is equal to 1/12th of a foot.
Symbol: The symbol for foot is a single prime ('). For example, a measurement of 5 feet would be written as 5'.
Usage: The foot is commonly used in various applications, including construction, architecture, interior design, surveying, and sports. It is often used to measure heights, distances, room dimensions, and other similar quantities.
Subdivisions: The foot can be divided into smaller units to measure finer lengths. Apart from the inch, mentioned earlier, there are also other subdivisions used in specific contexts. For example, in surveying, a foot can be divided into tenths or hundredths for precise measurements.
International Usage: While the metric system (based on the meter) is the predominant system of measurement used worldwide, the foot is still used in certain countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, especially in everyday contexts. However, it's worth noting that in scientific, technical, and international contexts, the meter is typically used for consistency and compatibility.

What is a Meter?

The meter is a unit of length in the metric system, which is the most widely used system of measurement around the world. It is defined as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum during a specific time interval. The meter is the fundamental unit of length in the International System of Units (SI).

Here are some more details about the meter:

International System of Units (SI): The meter is part of the metric system and is the base unit of length in the SI, which is an internationally recognized system of measurement. The SI provides a coherent and decimal-based system of measurement used in science, industry, and everyday life.
Length Conversion: One meter is equal to 100 centimeters or 1,000 millimeters. It can also be divided into smaller units, such as decimeters, centimeters, millimeters, micrometers, and so on. Conversely, one centimeter is equal to 0.01 meters, and one millimeter is equal to 0.001 meters.
Historical Development: The meter was originally defined in the late 18th century based on a fraction of the Earth's circumference. However, the modern definition of the meter, based on the speed of light, was established in 1983 and provides a more precise and consistent measurement standard.
Common Uses: The meter is used to measure lengths, distances, heights, dimensions, and other quantities in various fields such as science, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and everyday life. It is a versatile unit that can be applied to a wide range of objects and distances.
Symbol: The symbol for meter is "m". For example, a measurement of 5 meters would be written as 5 m.
Subdivisions: The meter can be divided into smaller units for more precise measurements. Common subdivisions include centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), micrometers (µm), and nanometers (nm).
International Usage: The meter is the globally accepted standard unit of length used in scientific, technical, and international contexts. It provides a consistent and universally understood measurement system that promotes compatibility and ease of communication between different regions and disciplines.