Centimeter

A centimeter is a unit of measuring length in the metric system of measurement. It is as small as the diameter of our eyeball. It is abbreviated as 'cm'. Let us learn everything about centimeters in this article.

The definition of a centimeter in math states that it is a metric unit of measurement of length which is equal to 1/100^th of a meter, which is the S.I unit of length. It can be abbreviated as 'cm'. The word “centimeter” is a combination of the Latin word 'centum' which means hundred and the French word 'metre'. It denotes that there are 100 centimeters in 1 meter.

A centimeter is a metric system unit, which is comparable to inches which is an imperial system unit. When you see a ruler, on one side, you will find units written in 'cms', and on the other side in 'inches'. One centimeter is approximately equal to 0.39 inches.

A centimeter is one of the smaller units of measuring length as compared to other units like meter, feet, yards, etc. Various things can be measured using the centimeters measurement ruler or tape.

Things that can be measured in centimeters:

• The radius of car wheels
• Waist size of trousers or jeans
• Length of T-shirts, etc.

A centimeter is 1/100th of a meter. When it comes to relation with inches, a centimeter is 0.39 inches approximately. Let us understand the relation of centimeters (cms) with other units of measurements below.

Relation of Centimeters with Other Measurement Units:

• 1 cm = 0.3937 inch
• 100 cms = 1 meter
• 1 cm = 10 millimeters

You must have observed on a ruler that on one side numbers are written in centimeters and on the other side numbers are written in inches. On a 15 centimeters ruler, there are only 5 or 6 inches written on the other side. What does it mean? Well, it indicates that the same length has a greater value in centimeters and a lesser value in inches. It is because there are 2.54 cms in 1 inch. Mathematically, it can be expressed as 1 cm < 1 inch.

A centimeter ruler is a convenient and widely used tool that can be used for the following purposes:

• To measure lengths in centimeters.
• To draw straight lines with specific measurements in centimeters. For example, we can easily draw a line of 5 cm using a centimeter ruler.
• To construct various shapes in geometry.
• To construct lines and angles.

Look at the image of a centimeter ruler given below showing centimeter measurements on the top scale and inches values on the bottom scale.

When the value of a length is given in centimeters, we can easily convert it to any other units of length measurement by applying some basic formulas or multiplicative factors that you will learn in this section. We need to convert centimeters to other units when we are dealing with lengths of more than one object given in different units. To compare lengths or to perform arithmetic operations on them, we need to have lengths in the same units. At that time, you may need to do the centimeters conversions. Observe the image given below showing the value or relation of centimeters with other units.

Cm to Inches:

To convert centimeters to inches, we multiply the given value by 0.3937. It is because there are 0.3937 inches in 1 cm. For example, 10 centimeters = 10 × 0.3937 inches = 3.937 inches.

Inches to Cm:

To convert inches to centimeters, we multiply the given value by 2.54. It is because there are 2.54 cms in 1 inch. For example, 5 inches = 5 × 2.54 cms = 12.7 cms.

Feet to Cm:

Feet to cm conversion is done by multiplying the given value by 30.48, as there are 30.48 cms in 1 foot. For example, 6 feet = 6 × 30.48 cms = 182.88 cms.

Cm to Feet:

To convert centimeters to feet, we divide the given value by 30.48. It is because there are 30.48 cms in 1 foot. The other way to convert cm to feet is to multiply the value by 0.0328, as 1/30.48 is the same as 0.0328. For example, 120 cms = (120 ÷ 30.48) feet = 3.937 feet.

Cm to Yards:

There are approximately 0.0109361 yards in 1 cm. So, to convert cm to yards, multiply the given value by 0.0109361. For example, 11900 cms = 11900 × 0.0109361 yards = 130.14 yards (approximately).

Yards to Cm:

There are 91.44 cms in 1 yard. In order to convert yards to centimeters, multiply the given value by 91.44. For example, 10 yards = 10 × 91.44 cms = 914.4 cms.

Cm to Kilometer:

There are 100 cms in 1 meter and 1000 meters in 1 kilometer (km). So, 1 km = 1000 m = 1000 × 100 cms = 100000 cms. To convert cm to km, divide the given value by 100000. For example, 50000 cms = 50000 ÷ 100000 km = 0.5 km.

Kilometer to Cm:

To convert km to centimeters, multiply the given value by 100000. It is because there are 100000 cms in 1 km. For example, 2 km = 2 × 100000 cms = 200000 cms.

Both meter and centimeter are units of measurement under the metric system where 'meters' is abbreviated as 'm' and 'centimeters' is abbreviated as 'cm'. There are 100 centimeters in a meter. So, to convert the meter to a centimeter, multiply the given value by 100. Look at the conversion factors of 'm to cm' and 'cm to m' given below along with an example.

1 m = 100 cm

1 cm = 1/100 m = 0.01 m

Let us look at an example for a better understanding. Convert 5 meters to centimeters. To convert 5 m to cm, multiply 5 by 100. This implies, 5 × 100 = 500 cms. Therefore, there are 500 cms in 5 m.

On a centimeter ruler, you must have observed that there are 10 sub-divisions between every 2 numbers. For an instance, there are 10 equal divisions drawn between 0 and 1, 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and so on. Each 1/10th portion of a centimeter represents a millimeter. Hence, one centimeter has 10 millimeters. A millimeter in math can be abbreviated as 'mm'.

1 cm = 10 mm

1 mm = 0.1 cm

For example, let us convert 6 cm to mm. To do that, multiply 6 by 10. This implies, 6 cm = 6 × 10 mm = 60 mm. Therefore, there are 60 millimeters in 6 centimeters.

► Related Topics:

Check these interesting topics related to centimeters in math.

• Feet to Inches
• How Long is a Meter
• Length Conversion

What is the Meaning of Centimeter?

A centimeter is a unit of measuring length under the metric system of measurement. It is as small as the diameter of our eyeball. Centimeters can be abbreviated as 'cm'.

What is a Centimeter in Inches?

A centimeter can be converted to inches which is a US customary unit of measurement. 1 centimeter is equal to 0.3937 inches. While comparing centimeters and inches on a ruler, you will find that 1 cm < 1 inch.

What is One Centimeter?

1 centimeter is equal to 1/100^th of a meter. In terms of inches, it is equal to 0.39 inches approximately.

How Many Millimeters in a Centimeter?

There are 10 millimeters in a centimeter. A millimeter is a smaller unit as compared to a centimeter. On a centimeter ruler, the ten smaller divisions drawn between a centimeter represent 10 millimeters. Mathematically, this relation can be expressed as,

• 1 cm = 10 mm
• 1 mm = 0.1 cm

What is a Cubic Centimeter?

A cubic centimeters unit is used to measure the volume of an object whose dimensions are given in centimeters unit. For example, the volume of a box whose length, breadth, and height are 6 cm, 4 cm, and 3 cm respectively is 6 × 4 × 3 = 72 cubic centimeters.

How many Meters are in a Centimeter?

There are 0.01 meters or 1/100^th meters in a centimeter. In 1 meter, there are 100 cms, so, in 1 cm, there are 1/100 = 0.01 meters.

How to Convert Meter to Centimeter?

To convert meters to centimeters, follow the steps given below:

• Step 1: Multiply the given value by 100.
• Step 2: Write the final answer followed by the units - "centimeters".