5ft8 To Cm: The Ultimate Height Conversion Guide You Need Now!

Johann Kuhlman MD 24 May 2025

Struggling to understand centimeters when someone asks your height? If you're around the 5'8" mark, you're not alone! It's time to demystify these conversions once and for all, so you'll never stumble again when facing the metric system.

Whether it's for the ubiquitous dating profile, tracking athletic performance, or navigating the labyrinth of international clothing sizes, knowing your precise height in centimeters offers a distinct advantage. The metric system, a standard in much of the world, necessitates a quick and reliable way to translate those familiar feet and inches. So, prepare yourself as we dismantle this conversion conundrum, rendering it effortlessly understandable.

Let's be realisticwho keeps a calculator handy just for height conversions? Fear not; we're about to simplify this process immensely. By the time you've finished reading, you'll not only know the centimeter equivalent of 5ft8 but also possess the knowledge to convert any height measured in feet and inches. So, let's dive in and make those numbers dance to your tune!

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The burning question: what is 5ft8 in cm? The answer, in its unadulterated form, is approximately 172.72 cm. That's correcta touch over 172 centimeters. But, one might inquire, how did we arrive at this figure? Let's unravel the mystery behind the calculation.

The conversion from the imperial system (feet and inches) to the metric system (centimeters) is governed by a relatively simple formula. One foot is equivalent to 30.48 cm, while one inch translates to 2.54 cm. Consequently, for someone standing at 5ft8, one must multiply 5 feet by 30.48 and then add the product of 8 inches and 2.54. Straightforward, wouldn't you agree?

Let's dissect the arithmetic:

5 feet 30.48 cm = 152.4 cm
8 inches 2.54 cm = 20.32 cm
Grand Total: 152.4 cm + 20.32 cm = 172.72 cm

As you can see, it's not as daunting as it initially appears. Now, the precise centimeter equivalent of your height is at your fingertips!

But why, you may ask, should one bother knowing their height in centimeters? The answer extends beyond mere curiosity; this knowledge has practical applications in numerous situations. For example:

International Travel: The vast majority of countries operate using the metric system. Therefore, knowing your height in centimeters avoids potential confusion and awkward interactions.
Online Shopping: Many retailers, particularly those based internationally, provide sizing charts that reference height in centimeters. This helps ensure a more accurate fit.
Health and Wellness: A multitude of fitness applications and online health calculators require height measurements in centimeters for accurate calculations.
Professional Requirements: Certain occupations, particularly those in the military or aviation sectors, stipulate height measurements in centimeters as part of their eligibility criteria.

Therefore, whether you are preparing for a European excursion or simply wish to impress acquaintances with your expansive knowledge, understanding your height in centimeters is a decidedly useful skill.

Now that we have decoded the 5ft8 to cm conversion, let's examine some other frequently encountered height conversions. This will solidify your understanding of the system and its inherent consistency:

Feet and Inches	Centimeters
5ft0	152.4 cm
5ft1	154.94 cm
5ft2	157.48 cm
5ft3	160.02 cm
5ft4	162.56 cm
5ft5	165.1 cm
5ft6	167.64 cm
5ft7	170.18 cm
5ft8	172.72 cm
5ft9	175.26 cm
5ft10	177.8 cm
5ft11	180.34 cm
6ft0	182.88 cm
6ft1	185.42 cm

As the table illustrates, the pattern is unwavering. For each additional inch, approximately 2.54 cm are added to the total height. It's a remarkably straightforward and predictable system.

For those less acquainted with the metric system, a brief overview is in order. The metric system is predicated on units of ten, making it significantly more intuitive and user-friendly than the imperial system. A few key relationships include:

1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
1 kilometer (km) = 1,000 meters (m)

Given the widespread adoption of the metric system across the globe, a working knowledge of its principles can be highly advantageous, especially for those who frequently travel internationally.

Having mastered the conversion of 5ft8 to cm, let's generalize this process to enable you to convert any height with ease. The following step-by-step guide outlines the procedure:

Begin by disaggregating your height into its constituent feet and inches. For instance, a height of 5ft10 would be separated into 5 feet and 10 inches.

Next, convert the feet component into centimeters by multiplying the number of feet by 30.48. For 5 feet, this would be:

5 30.48 = 152.4 cm

Convert the inches component into centimeters by multiplying the number of inches by 2.54. For 10 inches, this yields:

10 2.54 = 25.4 cm

Finally, sum the two results to obtain the total height in centimeters:

152.4 cm + 25.4 cm = 177.8 cm

Voila! A height of 5ft10 equates to 177.8 cm.

Having tackled the conversion itself, let's now address the question of whether 5ft8 is considered tall or short. The answer, as is often the case, is contextual and depends on the population being considered. In the United States, the average height for men hovers around 5ft9, while for women, it is approximately 5ft4. Consequently, a man of 5ft8 would be considered close to average, while a woman of the same height would be slightly taller than average.

However, on a global scale, the perception of height varies significantly. In certain regions, 5ft8 may be regarded as tall, while in others, it may be considered average or even slightly short. The key determinant is the average height of the local population.

In situations where a calculator is unavailable, several techniques can be employed to estimate height in centimeters:

Round to Simplify: When converting 5ft6, for example, rounding to either 5ft5 or 5ft7 can simplify the mental arithmetic.
Memorize Key Values: Remembering that 5ft is approximately 152 cm and that each inch adds about 2.5 cm enables quick estimations.
Utilize Body Measurements: As a rough guide, the width of your thumb is approximately one inch, and the length of your forearm is close to one foot. These can be used for crude estimations in a pinch.

While these methods won't yield exact measurements, they offer a reasonable approximation for most practical purposes.

Thus concludes our comprehensive guide to converting 5ft8 to cm and beyond. Whether driven by travel, shopping, or simply intellectual curiosity, you are now equipped to navigate the intricacies of height conversion with confidence. Remember, 5ft8 is roughly equivalent to 172.72 cm, and with a little practice, you can convert any height with relative ease.

We trust that this exploration has been enlightening. Now, it's your turn! Share your questions and insights in the comments section below. And be sure to pass this knowledge on to anyone who might benefit from it. Until next time, stand tall and continue learning!