Understanding conversions between metric and imperial units is a common need, whether you’re buying clothes online, planning a home renovation, or simply curious about different measurement systems. One of the most frequent conversions people encounter is converting centimeters (cm) to feet. In this article, we’ll delve into how to convert 173 cm to feet, exploring the math, providing helpful context, and offering some practical examples.
The Basics: Centimeters and Feet Explained
Before we jump into the specific conversion, let’s establish a clear understanding of what centimeters and feet are and how they relate to each other.
Centimeters: A Metric Unit
The centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system. It’s defined as one-hundredth of a meter. The metric system is a decimal system, meaning it is based on powers of ten, which makes conversions within the system relatively straightforward. Centimeters are commonly used to measure relatively small objects or distances, such as the height of a person, the dimensions of a book, or the length of a piece of furniture. The metric system is the standard measurement system used in most countries worldwide.
Feet: An Imperial Unit
The foot (ft) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. It is defined as exactly 12 inches and is commonly used to measure height, length, and distance, especially in the United States. The history of the foot is quite interesting and varied. It has its origins in the human foot, which, of course, varies from person to person. Over time, standards were developed to try to standardize the length of a foot.
The Conversion Factor: cm to Feet
The key to converting centimeters to feet is knowing the conversion factor. The generally accepted conversion factor is:
1 inch = 2.54 cm (exactly)
And since 1 foot = 12 inches, we can derive the conversion factor from centimeters to feet as follows:
1 foot = 12 inches * 2.54 cm/inch = 30.48 cm
Therefore, to convert centimeters to feet, you need to divide the number of centimeters by 30.48.
Calculating 173 cm in Feet
Now that we know the conversion factor, let’s calculate how many feet are in 173 cm.
To convert 173 cm to feet, we divide 173 by 30.48:
173 cm / 30.48 cm/foot = 5.67585301837 feet
So, 173 cm is approximately 5.68 feet. We’ve rounded to two decimal places for practical use.
Understanding the Result: Feet and Inches
Often, when expressing height or length in feet, we use a combination of feet and inches for a more precise measurement. To break down 5.68 feet into feet and inches, we need to isolate the whole number of feet and then convert the decimal portion into inches.
The whole number of feet is 5.
To find the number of inches, we multiply the decimal portion (0.68) by 12 (since there are 12 inches in a foot):
0.68 feet * 12 inches/foot = 8.16 inches
Therefore, 173 cm is approximately 5 feet and 8.16 inches. For most practical applications, you can round this to 5 feet and 8 inches.
Practical Applications of Knowing This Conversion
Understanding how to convert centimeters to feet is useful in a variety of real-world scenarios. Here are just a few examples:
Shopping for Clothes and Shoes
Many online clothing and shoe retailers provide size charts in both centimeters and feet/inches. Knowing how to convert between the two can help you select the correct size, especially when purchasing from international retailers. For example, if a shoe size chart lists the insole length in centimeters, you can convert it to feet/inches to compare it with your foot measurement.
Home Improvement and DIY Projects
When planning home improvement projects, such as installing shelves, hanging pictures, or laying flooring, you’ll often encounter measurements in both metric and imperial units. Being able to convert between the two allows you to accurately measure materials and plan your project effectively. If you need to cut a piece of wood to a specific length in centimeters but your measuring tape is in inches, you’ll need to perform the conversion.
Medical and Health Contexts
In some medical contexts, height might be recorded in centimeters. If you are more familiar with feet and inches, converting the measurement can help you better understand your height relative to average heights or specific requirements.
Travel and International Settings
When traveling to countries that use different measurement systems, knowing how to convert between centimeters and feet can be helpful in understanding distances, heights, and other measurements. For example, if you are visiting a museum in Europe and the height of a sculpture is listed in centimeters, you can convert it to feet to get a better sense of its size.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When converting between centimeters and feet, there are a few common mistakes that people often make. Avoiding these errors can help ensure accurate conversions.
Rounding Errors
Rounding too early in the calculation can lead to inaccuracies in the final result. It’s best to carry out the full calculation with as many decimal places as possible and then round the final answer to the desired level of precision.
Using Incorrect Conversion Factors
Using the wrong conversion factor is a common mistake. Ensure that you are using the correct factor of 30.48 cm per foot. Using a slightly different number can lead to significant errors, especially when dealing with larger measurements.
Forgetting to Convert the Decimal Portion to Inches
When expressing a measurement in feet and inches, remember to convert the decimal portion of the feet measurement to inches. Failing to do so will result in an incomplete and potentially misleading measurement.
Tools for Conversion: Calculators and Online Resources
Fortunately, you don’t always have to do the math manually. Numerous tools and resources are available online to help you convert between centimeters and feet quickly and accurately.
Online Conversion Calculators
Many websites offer free online conversion calculators that allow you to simply enter the value in centimeters and instantly see the equivalent value in feet. These calculators are convenient and accurate, saving you time and effort.
Mobile Apps
Several mobile apps are available for both iOS and Android devices that can perform various unit conversions, including centimeters to feet. These apps are particularly useful when you need to perform conversions on the go.
Spreadsheet Programs
Spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets have built-in functions that can perform unit conversions. You can use these functions to create your own conversion tables or perform calculations directly within the spreadsheet.
Conclusion
Converting 173 cm to feet involves dividing by the conversion factor of 30.48 cm per foot. This results in approximately 5.68 feet, or more precisely, 5 feet and 8.16 inches. Understanding this conversion and its practical applications can be beneficial in various situations, from shopping and home improvement to travel and healthcare. By understanding the conversion process and using available tools, you can confidently navigate between metric and imperial units of measurement. Remember the key conversion factor: 1 foot = 30.48 cm. Mastering this conversion will make your life easier in a world that often mixes metric and imperial measurements.
What is the precise conversion of 173 cm to feet?
Converting 173 centimeters to feet requires dividing the centimeter value by the number of centimeters in a foot. Since 1 foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters, the calculation is 173 cm / 30.48 cm/foot. This calculation results in approximately 5.6759 feet.
Therefore, 173 centimeters is approximately equal to 5.6759 feet. While this is the precise mathematical equivalent, it’s often rounded to a more manageable value depending on the context and level of precision required. We’ll discuss rounding options in a subsequent FAQ.
Why is it useful to convert centimeters to feet?
Converting between metric units like centimeters and imperial units like feet is essential for understanding measurements across different systems. Many countries, including the United States, primarily use the imperial system, while most of the world relies on the metric system. Therefore, converting 173 cm to feet allows individuals familiar with the imperial system to grasp the length more easily.
Furthermore, certain professions and situations may necessitate converting between these units. Construction, architecture, and international trade are a few examples where understanding both systems and converting between them is crucial for accurate communication and execution of tasks.
How do I manually convert 173 cm to feet?
The manual conversion of centimeters to feet relies on knowing the conversion factor: 1 foot equals 30.48 centimeters. To convert 173 cm, you would divide 173 by 30.48. This process involves standard division, potentially requiring long division or a calculator to arrive at the accurate decimal value.
After performing the division (173 ÷ 30.48), you get approximately 5.6759 feet. This method provides a direct and precise conversion, making it suitable when accuracy is paramount, and digital tools are unavailable.
What is the commonly rounded value of 173 cm in feet and inches?
While 173 cm is precisely 5.6759 feet, it’s often more practical to express it in feet and inches. To do this, we know that 5 feet is the whole number portion. To find the remaining inches, we calculate the decimal portion of the feet (0.6759) and multiply it by 12 (since there are 12 inches in a foot). This gives us approximately 8.11 inches.
Therefore, 173 cm is commonly rounded to 5 feet and 8 inches. This rounded value is easier to visualize and communicate in contexts where extreme precision is not required. The slight difference from the exact calculation is generally negligible for everyday applications.
Are there any online tools for converting cm to feet?
Yes, numerous online conversion tools are available that can instantly convert centimeters to feet. These tools typically require you to input the centimeter value (in this case, 173) and then automatically display the equivalent value in feet. Many also offer conversions to other units like inches or meters.
Popular search engines like Google and dedicated unit conversion websites offer simple and user-friendly converters. These tools are often preferred for quick and accurate conversions, especially when precision is crucial and manual calculation is time-consuming or prone to error.
What are some potential errors when converting cm to feet?
One common source of error in converting centimeters to feet is using an incorrect conversion factor. For example, using a rounded or inaccurate value for the number of centimeters in a foot can lead to a significant deviation from the precise result. Always ensure you are using 30.48 cm per foot for accurate conversions.
Another potential error arises from rounding prematurely or inappropriately. Rounding intermediate values during the calculation can accumulate errors and affect the final result. It’s best to perform calculations with as much precision as possible and round only at the final step, if rounding is necessary.
How does this conversion relate to average human height?
The conversion of 173 cm to approximately 5 feet 8 inches helps in understanding how this height compares to average human height. While averages vary by region and population, 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) is generally considered around or slightly above the average height for adult males in many parts of the world.
For adult females, 5 feet 8 inches is typically considered significantly above average height. This conversion allows for a more intuitive comparison of a specific measurement to general height expectations, aiding in contextual understanding of the measurement.