Feet to Meters Converter (ft to m)
FT to M Converter
Convert feet (ft) to meters (m) instantly with this free online measurement calculator. By international definition established in the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, exactly one international foot equals 0.3048 meters. Whether you are reviewing building blueprints, converting athletic heights, estimating room dimensions for flooring, or checking aviation altitude clearances, this tool provides exact and dependable results.
How to use this converter
- Enter the distance or height in feet into the Value box.
- Ensure Feet (ft) is selected in the “From” field (preselected by default).
- Ensure Meters (m) is selected in the “To” field (preselected by default).
- The converted distance in meters updates immediately in the result display.
- Use the dropdown menus anytime to explore other units like inches, yards, or kilometers.
Feet to meters conversion formula
Because the international foot is standardized at exactly 0.3048 meters, converting feet to meters is a direct multiplication. To convert meters back into feet, divide by 0.3048 or multiply by 3.2808399.
Exact Formula:
m = ft × 0.3048
Alternative Division Formula:
m = ft / 3.2808399
Reverse Formula:
ft = m / 0.3048 = m × 3.2808399
Everyday architectural and height benchmarks
Feet are standard in the United States and common in Canadian construction, while meters are the universal standard across Europe, Asia, and international science:
- Standard residential ceiling (8 ft): 8 × 0.3048 = 2.44 m
- High ceiling (9 ft): 9 × 0.3048 = 2.74 m
- Commercial ceiling (10 ft): 10 × 0.3048 = 3.05 m
- Human height (5 ft 10 in / 5.833 ft): 5.833 × 0.3048 = 1.78 m
- Human height (6 ft): 6 × 0.3048 = 1.83 m
- Aviation approach altitude (1,000 ft): 1,000 × 0.3048 = 304.8 m
- Commercial cruising altitude (35,000 ft): 35,000 × 0.3048 = 10,668 m
Feet to meters conversion table
| Feet (ft) | Meters (m) | Common Benchmark Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.3048 m | Standard school ruler length |
| 2 ft | 0.6096 m | Countertop depth |
| 3 ft | 0.9144 m | One yard / standard desk height |
| 5 ft | 1.5240 m | Compact bed width |
| 6 ft | 1.8288 m | Average tall adult height |
| 8 ft | 2.4384 m | Standard residential ceiling height |
| 10 ft | 3.0480 m | Basketball hoop rim elevation |
| 20 ft | 6.0960 m | Two-story residential wall |
| 50 ft | 15.2400 m | Suburban lot width |
| 100 ft | 30.4800 m | Blue whale length |
| 500 ft | 152.4000 m | 40-story commercial skyscraper |
| 1,000 ft | 304.8000 m | Eiffel Tower height (approx.) |
Quick mental math trick
When you need a rapid estimate without a calculator, divide the number of feet by 3 and subtract roughly 2% of the result. For example, 30 feet divided by 3 is 10, minus 2% is approximately 9.8 meters (the exact value is 9.144 meters for 30 feet). For even faster ballpark math, multiply feet by 0.3.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 foot exactly 0.3048 meters?
Yes. Under the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement adopted by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the international foot is legally defined as exactly 0.3048 meters.
How do I convert feet and inches to meters?
First convert the inches into decimal feet by dividing by 12, add that to the whole feet value, and then multiply the total by 0.3048. For instance, 5 feet 6 inches equals 5 + (6 / 12) = 5.5 feet. Multiplying 5.5 by 0.3048 yields 1.6764 meters.
Why does civil aviation use feet instead of meters?
International civil aviation adopted flight levels measured in hundreds of feet (e.g., FL350 = 35,000 feet) through ICAO standards established after World War II. With the exception of Russian and Chinese domestic airspace, pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide maintain altitude separation in feet.
What is the difference between an international foot and a US survey foot?
The international foot is exactly 0.3048 meters, while the historical US survey foot was defined as 1200/3937 meters (approx. 0.30480061 meters). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officially retired the US survey foot on December 31, 2022, standardizing all US measurements to the international foot.
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