BIPM-ratified constants · v1.0

Converter

Meters, to feet converter calculator.

Convert any length between meters and feet using the exact NIST factor (3.280839895). Fast, accurate meters to ft converter.

From

meters

m_to_ft

1 m_to_ft =3.2808Feet

Equivalents

Precision: 6 dp · Notation: Decimal · 2 units

to Feet

Metersm_to_ft3.2808

to Meters

Feetft_to_m0.3048

Common pairings

1 m_to_ftequals0.3048 ft_to_m

1 ft_to_mequals3.2808 m_to_ft

The conversion

How the value
is computed.

Meters to Feet Conversion: Formula and Methodology

The meters to feet converter applies the internationally recognized conversion factor established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). One meter equals exactly 3.280839895 feet, making the conversion formula precise and universally applicable across engineering, science, construction, and everyday measurement tasks.

The Conversion Formula

To convert meters to feet, apply this formula:

ft = m × 3.280839895

To convert feet back to meters, apply the inverse:

m = ft ÷ 3.280839895 (equivalently, m = ft × 0.3048)

Origin of the Conversion Factor

The factor 3.280839895 derives directly from the internationally agreed definition of the foot. According to NIST Special Publication 1038: Conversion Factors for General Use, one international foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters — a definition ratified by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other nations in 1959. Dividing 1 by 0.3048 yields the repeating decimal 3.28083989501312..., which is rounded to 3.280839895 for practical use. This 9-decimal precision exceeds the requirements of all but the most specialized geodetic surveys.

A note on the U.S. survey foot: historically, American geodetic surveys used a slightly different value (1200/3937 m ≈ 3.280833333 ft per foot). As of January 1, 2023, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) officially retired the survey foot, standardizing all measurements on the international foot (0.3048 m). The calculator on this page uses the international foot exclusively.

Variable Definitions

Value (m or ft): The numeric length measurement to convert. Accepts any positive real number representing a physical distance — such as 1.75 m for a person's height or 8,848.86 m for the elevation of Mount Everest.
Conversion Direction: Specifies whether the operation runs meters → feet (multiply by 3.280839895) or feet → meters (divide by 3.280839895). Both directions use the same underlying constant.

Step-by-Step Conversion Examples

100 meters to feet: 100 × 3.280839895 = 328.084 ft — the length of an Olympic 100-meter sprint track.
1.8 meters to feet: 1.8 × 3.280839895 = 5.905 ft — a common adult height reference point.
8,848.86 meters to feet: 8,848.86 × 3.280839895 = 29,031.7 ft — the confirmed height of Mount Everest per the 2020 China-Nepal survey.
6 feet to meters: 6 ÷ 3.280839895 = 1.8288 m exactly.
30 feet to meters: 30 × 0.3048 = 9.144 m — a standard residential lot setback in many U.S. zoning codes.

Common Use Cases

The need to convert between meters and feet arises across a wide range of professional and everyday contexts:

Construction and architecture: U.S. building codes specify ceiling heights, staircase dimensions, and setbacks in feet, while ISO and European standards use meters. Project teams working internationally require constant conversion.
Athletics and sports: Track events (100 m, 400 m, marathon) are measured in meters globally, yet American broadcasts and record books frequently present equivalents in feet.
Aviation: The FAA mandates altitude reporting in feet within U.S. airspace, while ICAO regions such as China and Russia have used meters. Pilots and dispatchers must convert between both systems.
Real estate: European property listings express floor area and ceiling heights in meters; North American listings use feet and inches. Cross-border buyers rely on accurate conversion.
Science and engineering: The SI standard specifies meters, but legacy data, technical drawings, and product specifications in older U.S. documents may use feet. Accurate conversion preserves data integrity.

Precision Guidance and Rounding Considerations

For general use — measuring room dimensions, athletic distances, or personal height — rounding converted results to two or three decimal places provides sufficient accuracy. Structural engineering and land surveying applications may require four or more decimal places. The full 9-digit factor (3.280839895) introduces an error of less than 0.000001% compared to the theoretically infinite decimal, well within any practical tolerance.

When selecting decimal places for your conversions, consider the context: residential room measurements typically need only one decimal place (e.g., 3.3 ft), while engineering blueprints and scientific data often require three to four decimal places for compatibility with downstream calculations. Commercial construction projects and legal property descriptions frequently specify two decimal places as a balance between precision and readability. This calculator retains full precision internally and allows you to round the final result according to your specific application requirements.

Reference

Frequently asked questions

How many feet are in 1 meter?

One meter equals 3.280839895 feet, based on the international standard defining one foot as exactly 0.3048 meters. In practical terms, 1 meter is approximately 3 feet 3.37 inches. For quick mental estimates, using 3.28 feet per meter introduces an error of less than 0.01%, acceptable for everyday tasks like comparing heights or room dimensions.

How do you convert meters to feet without a calculator?

Multiply the meter value by 3.28 for a fast approximation. For example, 5 meters × 3.28 = 16.4 feet (the precise answer is 16.404 ft). For greater accuracy, use 3.281. To convert feet back to meters manually, divide by 3.28 or multiply by 0.305. These shortcuts work well for construction estimates, sports, and travel, where two-decimal precision is typically sufficient.

What is the exact NIST conversion factor from meters to feet?

According to NIST Special Publication 1038, the relationship is defined as 1 foot = 0.3048 meters exactly, established by international agreement in 1959. Taking the reciprocal gives 1 meter = 3.28083989501312... feet — a non-terminating decimal. The rounded value 3.280839895 retains nine decimal places, yielding an error under 0.000001% and satisfying virtually all engineering, scientific, and commercial measurement requirements.

How do you convert meters to feet and inches?

First, multiply the meter value by 3.280839895 to get decimal feet. Next, take the whole-number portion as feet. Then multiply the remaining decimal by 12 to get inches. Example: 1.75 m × 3.280839895 = 5.7415 ft → 5 feet + (0.7415 × 12) = 5 feet 8.9 inches. This two-step method works for any metric height or length that needs expression in the traditional feet-and-inches format.

What is 6 feet in meters?

Six feet equals exactly 1.8288 meters, calculated by multiplying 6 by 0.3048 (the exact definition of one foot). Common height conversions for reference: 5 ft = 1.524 m, 5 ft 6 in = 1.6764 m, 5 ft 10 in = 1.778 m, 6 ft = 1.8288 m, 6 ft 4 in = 1.9304 m. These values are exact because the foot-to-meter ratio is a defined constant, not an approximation.

Which industries rely most on a meters to feet converter?

Construction and architecture teams on international projects constantly convert structural dimensions between metric and imperial standards. Aviation requires feet for FAA altitude reporting and meters in select ICAO regions. Real estate professionals convert floor areas between European (metric) and North American (imperial) listings. Sports broadcasters translate track distances for different audiences. Aerospace and mechanical engineers working with legacy U.S. drawings alongside modern SI specifications also depend on precise meters-to-feet conversion daily.