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Foot Conversion Table
This comprehensive foot conversion table shows how various units relate to feet, a common imperial unit for length. Use this reference for quick conversions between feet and other length units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Feet to meters | Meters | 0.3048 |
| Feet to kilometers | Kilometers | 0.0003048 |
| Feet to centimeters | Centimeters | 30.48 |
| Feet to millimeters | Millimeters | 304.8 |
| Feet to micrometers | Micrometers | 304800 |
| Feet to nanometers | Nanometers | 304800000 |
| Feet to picometers | Picometers | 304800000000 |
| Feet to angstroms | Angstroms | 3048000000 |
| Feet to inches | Inches | 12 |
| Feet to yards | Yards | 0.333333 |
| Feet to miles | Miles | 0.000189394 |
| Feet to nautical miles | Nautical Miles | 0.000164579 |
| Feet to light-years | Light-years | 3.22174e-17 |
This foot conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both metric (SI) units and imperial units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and engineering applications.
What is a Foot?
The foot (symbol: ft) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. It is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters since the international yard and pound agreement of 1959. One foot contains 12 inches, and one yard is comprised of three feet. Our foot conversion tool helps you easily convert between feet and other units. For example, 1 foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters or 12 inches.
The foot is commonly used in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for measuring height, shorter distances, field dimensions, altitude (aviation), and elevation (such as that of a mountain). It is also used in the aviation industry to measure altitude. Our foot conversion calculator is essential for applications that require precise measurements in feet, such as construction, engineering, and surveying.
What is the Definition of a Foot?
The foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters by international agreement since 1959. This definition ties the foot directly to the meter, the SI base unit for length. All other foot-based measurements in the imperial system are derived from this definition:
- Inch (in) = 1/12 foot = 0.0254 meters
- Yard (yd) = 3 feet = 0.9144 meters
- Mile (mi) = 5280 feet = 1609.34 meters
- Fathom = 6 feet = 1.8288 meters
- Survey foot (used in US surveying) ≈ 0.3048006096 meters
What are Feet Used For?
Feet are used in a wide range of applications, particularly in countries that use the imperial system. As a standard unit for measuring height and shorter distances, feet provide a convenient scale for everyday use:
Construction & Architecture
Building dimensions, room sizes, and structural measurements. For example, a typical bedroom might be 12 feet by 10 feet (approximately 3.66 meters by 3.05 meters).
Real Estate
Property dimensions and room sizes. In the US, house sizes are commonly measured in square feet. For example, a 2000 square foot house is approximately 185.8 square meters.
Aviation
Altitude measurements for aircraft. For example, commercial aircraft typically cruise at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 feet (9,144 to 12,192 meters).
Surveying
Land measurements and boundary determinations. Surveyors often use feet for property boundary descriptions and mapping in countries using the imperial system.
Etymology and History
The word "foot" comes from the Old English "fōt" and is related to the Proto-Germanic "*fōts". Historically, the foot was based on the length of a human foot, but this varied significantly between different cultures and regions. In medieval England, the foot was defined in several different ways, including the "London foot" and the "Paris foot".
The modern definition of the foot as exactly 0.3048 meters comes from the international yard and pound agreement of 1959 between the United States and countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. This agreement standardized the yard as exactly 0.9144 meters, which fixed the foot as exactly one-third of that length. This definition ensures consistency in all imperial unit conversions and facilitates accurate international measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the foot defined as exactly 0.3048 meters?
The foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters due to the international yard and pound agreement of 1959. This agreement standardized the yard as exactly 0.9144 meters, which fixed the foot as exactly one-third of that length. This definition ensures consistency in all imperial unit conversions and facilitates accurate international measurements in commerce, science, and engineering.
How accurate is the foot definition?
The current definition of the foot is extremely accurate since it's defined in terms of the meter, which is defined by the speed of light. The foot has a fixed relationship to the meter (0.3048 m/ft), making it reproducible with the same precision as the meter itself. This precision is crucial for applications like construction, aviation, and surveying.
What's the difference between a foot and a survey foot?
The international foot is exactly 0.3048 meters, while the US survey foot is defined as exactly 1200/3937 meters (approximately 0.3048006096 meters). This tiny difference (about 2 parts per million) is maintained for backward compatibility with existing survey data. For most applications, the difference is negligible, but it can become significant in large-scale land surveys.
How do I convert feet to other units?
Use our foot conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert feet to inches, multiply by 12; to convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048. For detailed instructions on converting feet to meters, visit our ft to m converter. Our tool also handles metric to imperial conversions like feet to centimeters with high precision.
What are common uses for foot conversion?
Foot conversion is essential in construction (building dimensions), real estate (property sizes), aviation (altitude measurements), and surveying (land measurements). Whether calculating room dimensions for furniture placement or converting building blueprints, our foot converter tool simplifies these everyday tasks.
How does foot conversion differ from meter conversion?
The foot is a unit in the imperial system, while the meter is the SI base unit for length. The foot is defined in terms of the meter (1 ft = 0.3048 m). This relationship makes foot conversion straightforward when converting to and from metric units. However, unlike the meter which is the base for all metric length units, the foot is just one unit in the imperial system alongside inches, yards, and miles.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in feet?
Yes, our foot converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For microscopic work, convert nanometers to feet (1 nm ≈ 3.281e-9 ft). For astronomical distances, convert feet to light-years (1 ly ≈ 3.104e+17 ft). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your foot conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our foot conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning unit conversions to professionals working on complex engineering projects.