Distance Unit Converter: Convert Between Feet, Inches, Meters, Miles, and Yards
Convert distance measurements instantly between imperial and metric units. Our calculator handles feet, inches, meters, centimeters, miles, and yards with precision and ease.
Distance Converter tool
Feet
Inches
Meters
Centimeters
Miles
Yards
Common Distance Unit Conversions
Metric to Imperial Conversions
- 1 meter = 3.28084 feet
- 1 meter = 39.3701 inches
- 1 meter = 1.09361 yards
- 1 meter = 0.000621371 miles
- 1 centimeter = 0.393701 inches
Imperial to Metric Conversions
- 1 foot = 0.3048 meters
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
- 1 yard = 0.9144 meters
- 1 mile = 1609.34 meters
Understanding Distance Units
Metric System Units
Meter (m)
The base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). Originally defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole.
Centimeter (cm)
One hundredth of a meter. Commonly used for smaller measurements in everyday life.
Imperial/US Customary Units
Foot (ft)
A fundamental unit of length in the imperial system, equal to 12 inches.
Inch (in)
The smallest commonly used unit in the imperial system for everyday measurements.
Yard (yd)
Equal to 3 feet, commonly used in fabric measurement and sports.
Mile (mi)
The largest common imperial unit of distance, equal to 5,280 feet.
Common Applications
- Construction: Feet and inches in the US, meters and centimeters elsewhere
- Sports: Yards for American football, meters for athletics
- Navigation: Miles for road distances in the US and UK, kilometers in most other countries
- Science: Meters are the standard unit in scientific measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need different measurement systems?
Different measurement systems evolved historically in different regions. The metric system was created for scientific consistency, while imperial units developed from traditional measurements.
Which countries use which systems?
The United States primarily uses imperial units, while most other countries use the metric system. The UK uses a mix of both systems.
How accurate is this converter?
This converter uses standard conversion rates and provides results to appropriate decimal places for each unit type.