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Single conversion
To convert from Centimeter (cm) to Mile (mi), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units Foot (ft) and Meter (m).
Let's convert 5 Centimeter (cm) to Mile (mi).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Centimeter (cm) is equal to Mile (mi).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Centimeter (cm) to Mile (mi):
| Centimeters | Miles |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 cm | mi |
| 0.001 cm | mi |
| 0.1 cm | mi |
| 1 cm | mi |
| 2 cm | mi |
| 3 cm | mi |
| 4 cm | mi |
| 5 cm | mi |
| 6 cm | mi |
| 7 cm | mi |
| 8 cm | mi |
| 9 cm | mi |
| 10 cm | mi |
| 20 cm | mi |
| 30 cm | mi |
| 40 cm | mi |
| 50 cm | mi |
| 100 cm | mi |
| 1000 cm | mi |
| 10000 cm | mi |
For all Length converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
A centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system.
It is equal to one hundredth of a meter (0.01 m). The plural form is centimeters.
One of the most crucial facts about the centimeter is its relationship with the inch.
There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in one inch.
This precise conversion factor is essential for global trade, engineering, and daily life. It enables easy and accurate translation between the metric system (used by most of the world) and the imperial system (still used in countries such as the United States).
Gaining a clear understanding of this cm to inch conversion is essential for various tasks, including purchasing clothing and international manufacturing.
The centimeter is a cornerstone of the Centimeter-Gram-Second (CGS) system of units.
This system was an essential precursor to the modern International System of Units (SI).
In the CGS system, the centimeter was the base unit of length, the gram the base unit of mass, and the second the base unit of time.
While less common today, it's still widely used in specific fields of physics, such as astrophysics, for calculating other vital units like force and energy.
To understand how big a centimeter is, it helps to use common items as a useful mental benchmark. This is great for estimating its length without a ruler.
A centimeter is approximately the same width as:
A mile (mi) is a common unit of length used in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement.
The official definition of a mile is 5,280 feet (ft). The plural form is miles.
The word "mile" has ancient roots, originating from the Latin phrase "mille passus," which translates to "a thousand paces."
In ancient Rome, one pace was measured as two steps (one left and one right). The Roman mile was therefore 1,000 paces, which equals approximately 4,850 feet—slightly shorter than the modern mile.
Not all miles are created equal. While most people are familiar with the land mile, there is also a separate measurement used for air and sea travel.
The commonly used mile on land is the statute mile, which is officially defined as 5,280 feet. This measurement is used for driving distances and most other land-based activities in the imperial system.
The nautical mile is used for navigation in aviation and maritime settings. It is based on the Earth's circumference and is equal to one minute of arc of latitude. A nautical mile is longer than a statute mile.
Here's a quick comparison:
The seemingly random number of 5,280 feet in a mile comes from English history. In 1593, the English Parliament, under Queen Elizabeth I, passed a statute to standardize units of measurement.
The statute defined the official length of a mile as being equal to 8 furlongs. Since one furlong was already established as 660 feet, the calculation was simple:
This decision solidified the length of the statute mile that we still use today in countries that follow the imperial system.