Meters vs. Feet: Converting Between Metric and Imperial Length
How meters and feet relate, the exact conversion factor, quick mental-math shortcuts, and when precision actually matters.
1 meter equals exactly 3.280839895 feet, and 1 foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters — both by international definition, not rounded approximations. For most everyday purposes, a close estimate is enough: 1 meter is a little longer than 3 feet 3 inches.
Quick reference
| Meters | Feet | Feet | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m | 3.28 ft | 1 ft | 0.3048 m |
| 5 m | 16.40 ft | 10 ft | 3.048 m |
| 10 m | 32.81 ft | 50 ft | 15.24 m |
| 100 m | 328.08 ft | 100 ft | 30.48 m |
A mental-math shortcut
For a rough estimate, multiply meters by 3.28 (or just over 3) to get feet, or multiply feet by 0.3 to get meters. This is accurate enough for eyeballing a room size or a running distance, but for anything involving cost, materials, or code compliance, use the exact factor.
Where the exact number matters
Construction and landscaping quantities scale with area, not length, so a small rounding error compounds — a 1% error in a length measurement becomes roughly a 2% error in the area calculated from it. If you're estimating flooring, paint, or concrete quantities, convert your measurements precisely first.
Convert any length — meters, feet, inches, yards, miles, and more — instantly in the Unit Converter. Once your measurements are in the right unit, the Flooring Calculator and Concrete, Mulch & Topsoil Calculator can take it from there.