Meters to Feet Converter
Instant conversion between metric and imperial units
One meter equals 3.28084 feet, or 3 feet 3.37 inches. This conversion is based on the international definition established in 1959, where one foot is exactly 0.3048 meters. To convert meters to feet, multiply by 3.28084. To convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048.
Meters to Feet
Feet to Meters
Meters to Feet Conversion Formula
The conversion derives from the SI definition of the meter and the international foot. Since 1 meter = 100 centimeters and 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters, dividing gives 1 m = 100 / 30.48 = 3.28083989... ft, rounded to 3.28084 for everyday use.
Meters to Feet: feet = meters x 3.28084
Feet to Meters: meters = feet x 0.3048
Worked example: convert 5 meters to feet, 5 x 3.28084 = 16.4042 feet, which equals 16 feet 4.85 inches. For technical precision (engineering, scientific use) keep five decimal places (3.28084). For casual estimation, 3.28 is sufficient.
Meters to Feet Conversion Table
| Meters | Feet (decimal) | Feet & Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 m | 1.6404 ft | 1 ft 7.69 in |
| 1 m | 3.2808 ft | 3 ft 3.37 in |
| 1.5 m | 4.9213 ft | 4 ft 11.06 in |
| 1.75 m | 5.7415 ft | 5 ft 8.90 in |
| 1.8 m | 5.9055 ft | 5 ft 10.87 in |
| 2 m | 6.5617 ft | 6 ft 6.74 in |
| 5 m | 16.404 ft | 16 ft 4.85 in |
| 10 m | 32.808 ft | 32 ft 9.70 in |
| 30.48 m | 100 ft | 100 ft 0.00 in |
| 100 m | 328.084 ft | 328 ft 1.02 in |
Common Height Conversions
Human height is the most common reason people convert meters to feet. Below are the usual adult height ranges in both units, with imperial heights formatted as feet and inches (the conventional notation for height in the US and UK).
Real-World Examples
Sports
- 100 m sprint: 328.08 ft
- Olympic pool (50 m): 164.04 ft
- NBA court (28.65 m): 94 ft
- Football pitch (105 m): 344.49 ft
Architecture
- US story height (3 m): 9.84 ft
- Standard door (2.03 m): 6.66 ft
- One-car garage door (2.13 m): 7 ft
- Ceiling clearance (2.4 m): 7.87 ft
Nature & Landmarks
- Eiffel Tower (330 m): 1,082.68 ft
- Burj Khalifa (828 m): 2,716.54 ft
- Giraffe (5.5 m): 18.04 ft
- Mount Everest (8,848 m): 29,029 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
How many feet is 1 meter?
1 meter equals 3.28084 feet, or 3 feet 3.37 inches. This is based on the international definition of 1959, where one foot is exactly 0.3048 meters.
How do I convert meters to feet without a calculator?
Multiply the meter value by 3.28. For a rough mental estimate, multiply by 3.3 and subtract about 1%. For example, 10 meters x 3.3 = 33, subtract 1% (~0.33) to get ~32.7 feet (exact value: 32.81 feet).
What is the exact conversion factor from meters to feet?
The exact factor is 1 foot = 0.3048 meters, defined by the international yard and pound agreement of 1959. The inverse, 1 meter = 3.28083989501... feet, is commonly rounded to 3.28084 for practical use.
How do I convert meters to feet and inches?
Multiply meters by 3.28084 to get total feet. Take the integer part as feet. Multiply the decimal part by 12 to get inches. Example: 1.75 m x 3.28084 = 5.7415 ft, so 5 ft + (0.7415 x 12) = 5 ft 8.90 in.
Why does the United States still use feet instead of meters?
The US officially adopted the metric system in 1866 and again in 1975, but customary units (feet, inches, miles) remained dominant in construction, real estate, aviation and daily life due to legacy infrastructure and cultural inertia. Scientific and medical fields in the US use meters.
Does this converter handle negative numbers?
Yes. Negative values are valid for measurements like elevation below sea level. Enter a negative number and the corresponding negative feet (or meters) value is returned.
About This Conversion
The meter-to-foot conversion factor is established by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the international yard and pound agreement of 1959. The exact value is 1 foot = 0.3048 meters. This definition is adopted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST SP 811) and all major scientific institutions globally.
The meter was redefined in 1983 in terms of the speed of light: the distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. The foot remains a defined unit at exactly 0.3048 meters, with no independent physical definition.
Reviewed by the MetersToFeet.com editorial team. Last reviewed: 2026-05-19.