How to Convert Centimetres to Metres (cm to m)
Length conversions come up when reading overseas furniture specs, cycling the Round Island Route in kilometres while a foreign app shows miles, or checking marine distances in the Singapore Strait in nautical miles. This guide shows how to convert centimetres into metres by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert centimetres to metres, multiply the value by 0.01. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 100). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 0.01.
Metres = centimetres × 0.01
Worked examples
- 3 cm = 0.03 m
- 12.5 cm = 0.125 m
- 75 cm = 0.75 m
Centimetres to Metres table
| Centimetres | Metres |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.01 m |
| 2 cm | 0.02 m |
| 5 cm | 0.05 m |
| 10 cm | 0.1 m |
| 20 cm | 0.2 m |
| 25 cm | 0.25 m |
| 50 cm | 0.5 m |
| 100 cm | 1 m |
| 250 cm | 2.5 m |
| 500 cm | 5 m |
| 1,000 cm | 10 m |
Common questions
Is cm to m exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Metres to Centimetres converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Multiplying when you should divide
Converting to a smaller unit gives a bigger number, and converting to a larger unit gives a smaller one. If your answer moves the wrong way, you have inverted the factor.
Background
A conversion table is handy for common values, but a calculator is faster and avoids interpolation errors for anything in between.
Singapore adopted the metric system in the 1970s, replacing imperial units and traditional Chinese measures in most official uses. Metric units are now standard in schools, trade and government, but older units survive in property, markets and imported goods.
Unit conversion is simply multiplication by a fixed ratio. The ratio between two units of the same quantity never changes, so once you know it you can convert any value in either direction.
For any value, use the Centimetres to Metres Converter or browse all length converters.
Run your own numbers: Centimetres to Metres Converter