Length Converter
Convert between metric, imperial, and scientific length units with precision
Length Conversion
Input Value
Select Units to Convert To
Metric
Imperial/US
Scientific
Nautical
Click units to add/remove them from conversion results
Conversion Results
Common Equivalents for 1 Meter
Common Conversion Examples
Metric Conversions
1 km = 1,000 m = 100,000 cm
1 m = 100 cm = 1,000 mm
1 cm = 10 mm = 0.01 m
Imperial Conversions
1 mile = 5,280 feet = 1,760 yards
1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches
1 foot = 12 inches
Metric ↔ Imperial
1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly
1 foot = 30.48 cm = 0.3048 m
1 meter ≈ 3.281 feet ≈ 39.37 inches
1 mile ≈ 1.609 km
Scientific Units
1 nm = 10 Ångströms
1 μm = 1,000 nm
1 AU ≈ 150 million km
1 light year ≈ 9.46 trillion km
Quick Reference
Popular Conversions
Precision Notes
• Inch = 2.54 cm (exact)
• Foot = 0.3048 m (exact)
• Yard = 0.9144 m (exact)
• Mile = 1.609344 km (exact)
Measurement Systems
Metric (SI)
Used worldwide, decimal-based
Imperial
UK, US, historical usage
Scientific
Microscopic to astronomical
Common Applications
Understanding Length Measurements
Metric System (SI)
The International System of Units (SI) is based on the meter, defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. It uses decimal multiples and submultiples with prefixes.
Metric Prefixes
Imperial System
The Imperial system, primarily used in the United States, is based on historical human measurements. Key relationships include the foot (originally based on the human foot) and the inch (width of a thumb).
Historical Context
- • Inch: Width of a human thumb
- • Foot: Length of a human foot
- • Yard: Distance from nose to fingertip
- • Mile: 1,000 Roman paces
Precision Standards
Modern imperial units are defined exactly in terms of metric units. For example, 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters exactly, established by international agreement in 1959.
💡 Accuracy Notes
Exact conversions: Inch to centimeter (2.54), foot to meter (0.3048)
Scientific notation: Used for very large/small values for precision
Rounding: Results rounded to 6 significant figures for practical use
Applications: Choose appropriate precision for your specific needs