Meters to Inches Converter (m to in)
Instantly convert between meters and inches using this precise tool. Essential for manufacturing, engineering, and international trade. 100% free with no registration required.
Conversion Formula
1 meter (m) = 39.3701 inches (in)
To convert meters to inches:
inches = meters × 39.3701
Example: 2 m × 39.3701 = 78.7402 in
Meters to Inches Conversion Table
| Meters (m) | Inches (in) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 m | 3.937 in |
| 0.25 m | 9.8425 in |
| 0.5 m | 19.685 in |
| 1 m | 39.3701 in |
| 1.5 m | 59.0551 in |
| 2 m | 78.7402 in |
| 2.5 m | 98.4252 in |
| 3 m | 118.110 in |
| 5 m | 196.850 in |
| 10 m | 393.701 in |
Practical Examples
- Door height: 2 m = 78.74 in (standard interior door)
- Fabric length: 1.5 m = 59.06 in (typical fabric bolt width)
- TV screen: 1.27 m = 50 in (diagonal measurement)
Professional Applications
- Manufacturing: Converting metric product dimensions to imperial for US market
- Construction: Working with international building plans
- Engineering: Adapting metric components to imperial systems
- Textiles: Converting fabric measurements between metric and imperial
Definition and Background
What is a Meter?
The meter (m) is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). It was originally defined in 1793 as:
- 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the North Pole
- Now defined by the speed of light (1/299,792,458 of a second)
What is an Inch?
An inch (in) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems. It was historically defined as:
- 1/12 of a foot
- Now officially defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters
Metric to Imperial Length Conversions
| Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|
| 1 mm | 0.03937 in |
| 1 cm | 0.3937 in |
| 1 m | 39.3701 in |
| 1 km | 39,370.1 in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the meter to inch conversion not a round number?
The meter and inch come from different measurement systems (metric vs imperial) with independent historical definitions, resulting in the precise but non-integer conversion factor of 39.3701.
How precise should meter to inch conversions be?
For most practical purposes, 1 m = 39.37 in is sufficiently precise. The exact value (39.3700787…) is only needed for high-precision engineering.
When was the inch officially defined in metric terms?
In 1959, the inch was internationally defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters, standardizing the meter-inch relationship.
Which countries primarily use inches?
The United States, Liberia, and Myanmar are the only countries that haven’t officially adopted the metric system, though even they use metric in scientific and many industrial applications.