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Single conversion
To convert from Inch (in) to Meter (m), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units Meter (m) and Foot (ft).
Let's convert 5 Inch (in) to Meter (m).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Inch (in) is equal to Meter (m).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Inch (in) to Meter (m):
| Inches | Meters |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 in | m |
| 0.001 in | m |
| 0.1 in | m |
| 1 in | m |
| 2 in | m |
| 3 in | m |
| 4 in | m |
| 5 in | m |
| 6 in | m |
| 7 in | m |
| 8 in | m |
| 9 in | m |
| 10 in | m |
| 20 in | m |
| 30 in | m |
| 40 in | m |
| 50 in | m |
| 100 in | m |
| 1000 in | m |
| 10000 in | m |
For all Length converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
An inch (in) is a standard unit of length used in the imperial and United States customary systems.
It is most commonly known as 1/12 of a foot. The plural form is "inches."
For a quick inch definition, here are the most important conversions:
The history of the inch goes back centuries. The word "inch" itself originates from the Latin word uncia, meaning "one-twelfth," which highlights its relationship to the larger unit of a foot.
Early definitions were often based on natural reference points. For a long time, an inch was widely considered to be the width of a man's thumb at the base of the nail.
To create a more reliable standard, 14th-century English King Edward II officially defined the inch as the length of three grains of barley placed end to end.
While the inch is an imperial unit, its official modern definition is based on the metric system.
Since 1959, an international agreement has defined the inch as exactly 2.54 centimeters (or 25.4 millimeters).
This universal standard, agreed upon by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other nations, ensures that the inch has a precise and globally recognized value.
This consistency is crucial for international trade, engineering, and science.
In fields that require extreme accuracy, such as engineering and machining, the inch is often divided into even smaller parts.
One-thousandth of an inch (1/1000 or 0.001 inches) is commonly known as a "thou" or a "mil."
Although very small, this unit is crucial for defining tolerances in the manufacture of engine components, electronic devices, and other precision equipment, where minute differences can have significant effects.
By comparison, a standard piece of paper measures roughly 2–4 thou in thickness.
The meter (m) is the foundational unit of length in the metric system, a standard of measurement used worldwide.
Simply put, it's used to measure the distance or separation between things.
The plural form is meters.
The original definition of the meter dates back to 1793.
The French Academy of Sciences established it as exactly one ten-millionth (1/10,000,000) of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator (measured along a line passing through Paris).
This ambitious goal was to create a universal unit based on a natural feature of the Earth itself.
Today, the modern definition is far more precise and is based on a universal constant: the speed of light.
Since 1983, the meter has been officially defined as the distance that light travels in a vacuum in exactly 1/299,792,458 of a second.
This modern definition ensures that the meter is incredibly stable and can be accurately reproduced in any lab around the world.
As one of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI), the meter is essential for calculating many other derived units.
For example, the meter is used to measure:
The meter serves as a fundamental unit in scientific and engineering measurements worldwide.