How to Convert Meters to Feet
Quick answer: To convert metres to feet, multiply the number of metres by 3.28084, because one metre is 3.28084 feet. So 1 metre is 3.28 feet, 2 metres are 6.56 feet, and 5 metres are 16.40 feet. For a rough estimate, multiply by 3.28.
Exact Conversion: Metres to Feet
The formula is feet = metres × 3.28084. One foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 metres, and dividing 1 by 0.3048 gives 3.28084, which is why that figure appears. For everyday use, 3.28 is close enough, but for building and surveying, use the fuller figure.
| Metres | Feet |
|---|---|
| 1 metre | 3.28 feet |
| 2 metres | 6.56 feet |
| 3 metres | 9.84 feet |
| 5 metres | 16.40 feet |
| 10 metres | 32.81 feet |
| 20 metres | 65.62 feet |
Check any amount with the metres to feet converter, or convert the other way with the feet to metres converter when you start in feet.
Worked Examples, Step by Step
Example 1: Convert 2 metres to feet. Multiply 2 by 3.28084 to get 6.56168, rounded to 6.56 feet. In feet and inches, that is 6 feet and about 7 inches, because 0.56 feet times 12 equals 6.7 inches.
Example 2: Convert 5 metres to feet. Multiply 5 by 3.28084 to get 16.4042, rounded to 16.40 feet. That is 16 feet and about 5 inches, since 0.40 feet times 12 equals 4.8 inches.
Example 3: Convert 0.5 metres to feet. Multiply 0.5 by 3.28084 to get 1.64 feet, or 1 foot and about 8 inches. Example 4: Convert 10 metres to feet. Multiply 10 by 3.28084 to get 32.8084, rounded to 32.81 feet. Breaking the decimal part into inches helps when you need a measurement for a room or a fence.
How to Convert Metres, Feet, and Inches Together
Many people want an answer in feet and inches, not decimal feet. First multiply metres by 3.28084 to get decimal feet. The whole number is the feet. Multiply the decimal part by 12 to get inches. For 1.8 metres, the result is 5.91 feet, which is 5 feet and 10.9 inches, or about 5 feet 11 inches.
To convert back, divide feet by 3.28084 to get metres, or multiply feet by 0.3048. For example, 10 feet times 0.3048 equals 3.048 metres. Keeping the unit at each step prevents the common error of mixing metres with feet in the same calculation.
Common Uses of Metres to Feet
Metres to feet conversion is used for room sizes, building heights, garden lengths, and sports fields. A room that is 4 metres long is 13.12 feet long. A fence that is 20 metres long is 65.62 feet long. Heights of buildings, trees, and people are often given in metres in one country and in feet in another, so conversion is needed to compare them.
It is also used in travel and sport. A swimming pool that is 25 metres long is 82.02 feet long. A running track, a football pitch, and a hiking distance may all be listed in metres or kilometres, and converting to feet helps when maps or guides use imperial units.
Common Mistakes
One mistake is multiplying by 3 instead of 3.28084, which underestimates the length, especially over longer distances. For 10 metres, using 3 gives 30 feet instead of 32.81 feet, an error of nearly three feet. Another mistake is treating a metre as a yard. A metre is 3.28 feet, while a yard is exactly 3 feet, so they are close but not the same.
People also forget the inches part when converting to feet and inches. Saying 5.91 feet is about 5 feet 9 inches is wrong: 0.91 feet times 12 is 10.9 inches, so it is about 5 feet 11 inches. Always multiply the decimal part by 12, rather than guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many feet are in one metre?
One metre is 3.28084 feet, normally rounded to 3.28 feet.
How do I convert 5 metres to feet?
Multiply 5 by 3.28084 to get 16.40 feet.
How many metres is 10 feet?
Ten feet is 3.048 metres, from 10 times 0.3048.
What is 1.8 metres in feet and inches?
One point eight metres is 5.91 feet, which is about 5 feet 11 inches.
Is a metre the same as a yard?
No. A metre is 3.28 feet, while a yard is exactly 3 feet, so a metre is a little longer than a yard.