Convert Feet to Meters (ft to m)
Foot to Meter Converter
Formula
To convert feet to meters, multiply the length value by 0.3048.
Foot Definition
The foot is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement.
Standardized in 1959 (international agreement).
Meter Definition
The meter is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI).
Adopted in 1795; redefined in 1983 by fixing light speed.
- 1Converting from Feet to Meters is useful in many practical situations.
- 2Scientists and engineers often need to convert between Feet and Meters for their calculations.
- 3International trade and travel often requires converting between Feet and Meters.
| Foot (ft) | Meter (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.3048 |
| 5 | 1.524 |
| 10 | 3.048 |
| 20 | 6.096 |
| 50 | 15.24 |
| 100 | 30.48 |
Converting Feet to Meters
To convert feet to meters, multiply the length value by 0.3048. This page provides comprehensive information about this conversion, including unit definitions, formulas, real-world examples, and frequently asked questions.
Unit Definitions
Description
One ft = 0.3048 m—originally based on a human foot's length.
History
Standardized in 1959 (international agreement).
System
The foot belongs to the imperial system of measurement.
Common Uses
- Building measurements
- Height specifications
- Furniture dimensions
- Construction and surveying
Description
Fundamental SI length unit, defined via the speed of light.
History
Adopted in 1795; redefined in 1983 by fixing light speed.
System
The meter belongs to the metric system of measurement.
Common Uses
- Building plans
- Height/length specifications
- Sports field dimensions
Conversion Formula
Foot to Meter
To convert feet to meters, multiply the length value by 0.3048.
Meter to Foot
To convert Meters to Feet, m / 0.3048.
Historical Context
The international yard and pound agreement of 1959 defined the foot as exactly 0.3048 meters, creating a precise relationship between these two fundamental units of length. Before this standardization, the exact length of a foot varied slightly between countries, which could cause problems in international trade and engineering.
Understanding the historical context of these units helps explain why different systems coexist and why conversions between them are so important in our globally connected world.
Real-World Examples
- 11 ft = 0.3048 m
- 210 ft = 3.048 m
- 3100 ft = 30.48 m
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Conversions
- ft to in
- m to yd
About Foot to Meter Conversion
Converting from Feet (ft) to Meters (m) is a commonlength conversion, especially when working between the imperial and metric systems. This converter provides a reliable way to convert any value from Feet to Meters with high precision.
To convert feet to meters, multiply the length value by 0.3048. This ensures accurate results whether you're working with everyday measurements or technical specifications.
Why Convert Between Feet and Meters?
Length conversions between Feet and Meters are frequently needed in various situations:
- International travel and communication
- Engineering and technical documentation
- Science and academic research
- Cooking and recipes from different regions
- Manufacturing and product specifications
- Construction and building projects
Since the imperial system is used primarily in the United States and a few other countries, while the metric system is common in most countries worldwide, converting between these systems is essential for global communication and understanding.
Conversion Accuracy
Our Foot to Meter converter uses the precise conversion factor to provide accurate results. While some may use simplified approximations for quick mental calculations, this converter ensures high precision for all applications, from everyday use to scientific and engineering calculations.
For everyday use, you can often use simplified conversion factors, but for technical work, the full precision offered by this converter is recommended.
Practical Applications
Converting between Feet and Meters has numerous practical applications:
- Architecture and construction plans that use different measurement systems
- International travel where road signs use different units
- Manufacturing products for global markets with different standards
- Sports and athletics where records may be kept in different units
- Building codes and regulations that specify measurements in different units
Having a reliable converter ensures accuracy in these applications, preventing costly errors and ensuring consistency across different measurement systems.
Historical Context
The relationship between Feet and Meters has evolved over time:
The international yard and pound agreement of 1959 defined the foot as exactly 0.3048 meters, creating a precise relationship between these two fundamental units of length. Before this standardization, the exact length of a foot varied slightly between countries, which could cause problems in international trade and engineering.
Understanding these historical contexts helps explain why we need these conversions and why certain conversion factors are used.
Foot to Meter Conversion Table
This table provides common conversion values from Feet to Meters. Use it as a quick reference for frequently needed conversions.
| Foot (ft) | Meter (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.3048 |
| 5 | 1.524 |
| 10 | 3.048 |
| 20 | 6.096 |
| 50 | 15.24 |
| 100 | 30.48 |
How to use this table: Find the Foot value in the left column, then read across to find the equivalent Meter value.
Conversion formula: To convert from Feet to Meters, multiply the foot value by the conversion factor.
Common Length Conversion Formulas
Here are some common conversion formulas for length units that you might find useful:
Multiply the length value in inches by 2.54 to get centimeters. This is an exact conversion defined by international agreement in 1959.
Multiply the length value in feet by 0.3048 to get meters. This conversion is exact and commonly used in construction and engineering.
Multiply the length value in miles by 1.60934 to get kilometers. This is useful for road distances and travel calculations.
Multiply the length value in yards by 0.9144 to get meters. This exact conversion is commonly used in sports and textiles.
Multiply the length value in meters by 1.09361 to get yards. A quick mental approximation is to add about 10% to the meter value.