How to Convert Feet to Inches
Quick answer: To convert feet to inches, multiply the number of feet by 12, because there are exactly 12 inches in one foot. So 1 foot is 12 inches, 2 feet are 24 inches, and 5 feet are 60 inches. This rule works for whole feet, fractions, and decimal feet alike.
Exact Conversion: Feet to Inches
The formula is simple: inches = feet × 12. The foot and the inch are both imperial units, and the link between them is exact, not approximate, so there is no rounding in the conversion itself. Rounding only appears when you start with a decimal measurement.
| Feet | Inches |
|---|---|
| 0.5 feet | 6 inches |
| 1 foot | 12 inches |
| 2 feet | 24 inches |
| 3 feet | 36 inches |
| 5 feet | 60 inches |
| 10 feet | 120 inches |
You can check any amount with the feet to inches converter, but the mental method is fast enough for most everyday lengths. Multiplying by 12 is the same as multiplying by 10 and adding twice the number again, which helps with larger values.
Worked Examples, Step by Step
Example 1: Convert 2.5 feet to inches. Multiply 2.5 by 12. Two times 12 is 24, and 0.5 times 12 is 6, so the total is 30 inches. That is two feet and six inches, written as 2 feet 6 inches.
Example 2: Convert 6 feet to inches. Multiply 6 by 12 to get 72 inches. This is a common height conversion, because a person who is six feet tall is 72 inches tall. The same method gives 5 feet 7 inches as 67 inches, since 5 times 12 is 60, plus 7, equals 67.
Example 3: Convert 0.75 feet to inches. Multiply 0.75 by 12 to get 9 inches. Three-quarters of a foot is nine inches, which is useful for shelves, picture frames, and small furniture. Example 4: Convert 12.5 feet to inches. Multiply 12 by 12 to get 144, and 0.5 by 12 to get 6, for a total of 150 inches. Breaking a number into whole and fractional parts keeps the working clear.
How to Convert Feet and Inches Together
Many measurements are given as feet and inches together, such as 5 feet 7 inches. To convert the whole measurement to inches, convert the feet part first, then add the inches part. For 5 feet 7 inches, 5 times 12 is 60, plus 7, equals 67 inches.
To go the other way, divide inches by 12. The whole number is the feet, and the remainder is the inches. For example, 67 divided by 12 is 5, with a remainder of 7, so 67 inches is 5 feet 7 inches. This method is useful for heights, room dimensions, and furniture sizes, where both forms are used.
Common Uses of Feet to Inches
Feet to inches conversion is used for heights, room sizes, and building work. A room that is 10 feet wide is 120 inches wide, and a door that is 6 feet 8 inches tall is 80 inches tall. In sport, heights are often given in feet and inches, but equipment sizes may be given in inches alone, so conversion is needed.
It is also used in crafts and DIY. A shelf that is 3 feet long is 36 inches long, and fabric sold by the foot may need to be cut to an exact inch length. In all these cases, multiplying by 12 is the only step, so errors usually come from misreading the starting number, not from the conversion.
Common Mistakes
One mistake is multiplying by 10 instead of 12, which comes from mixing up metric and imperial rules. Another is forgetting to add the extra inches when a measurement is given as feet and inches together. Five feet 7 inches is 67 inches, not 60 inches, because the 7 inches must be added after the feet are converted.
People also confuse inches with centimetres. One foot is 12 inches, but it is 30.48 centimetres, a different number entirely. Always check which unit the answer needs before you convert, and write the unit next to the number at each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many inches are in one foot?
There are exactly 12 inches in one foot.
How do I convert 5 feet to inches?
Multiply 5 by 12 to get 60 inches.
How many inches is 5 feet 7 inches?
Five feet is 60 inches, plus 7 inches, equals 67 inches.
How do I convert inches back to feet?
Divide inches by 12. The whole number is feet, and the remainder is inches. For example, 72 inches divided by 12 is exactly 6 feet.
Is the feet-to-inches conversion exact?
Yes. One foot is defined as exactly 12 inches, so the conversion has no rounding, unless the starting measurement is itself rounded.