What is Centimeter?
Centimeter also spelt as a centimetre, is a unit of length equivalent to 0.01 meter in the metric system. The SI symbol used to represent centimeters is cm. The centimeter is defined as the base unit of length in the old centimeter - gram - second (CGS) system of units.
A centimeter is a metric length measurement unit. The word centimeter is also spelt centimeter. Both spellings are correct and convey the same message. The abbreviation for centimeter is cm, which is sometimes written on a ruler. The centimeter is widely used to measure things that are too big for millimeters but too small for meters. A centimeter is close to the width of the fingernail of an average adult person.
A centimeter is similar to the imperial measurement unit of inches. When you look at the ruler, you'll note that one side has markings for measuring centimeters, while the other side has marks for measuring inches.
Centimeter Scale
The centimeter-scale can be widely understood with the help of a ruler. A standard ruler measures up to 30 cm, as one shown below. When looking at the ruler, you will find cm along the top and inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) along the bottom.
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1.Ruler -In mathematics, the most frequent measurement tool is a ruler. It's used to weigh and measure small items like notebooks, pencils, and bottles. Most rulers are available in lengths of 15 cm and 30 cm and come with two measurement metrics: centimeters and inches.
2. Meter stick- A meter stick is a measuring device that measures one meter (hundred centimeters) and is used to measure objects in meters and centimeters. A meter stick can be used to measure things like the length of a table or the width of a bag.
Centimeter Chart
A centimeter chart can be constructed to represent the conversion of units from centimeters to other units of measurements such as meters, inches, feet, etc. Using the centimeter chart, we can easily learn the conversion of units from centimeters to other units of measurement.
How to Convert from Meter to Centimeter?
Meter -In the International System of Units, a meter, or meter (symbol: m), is the base unit of length and distance (SI). The meter is the distance that light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second. The meter is the SI unit of length and is used in a variety of applications around the world, including measuring distance, height, length, and width.
Centimeter -In the International System of Units (SI), the current form of the metric system, a centimeter (symbol: cm) is a unit of length. It is defined as one-hundredth of a meter.
When a smaller denomination of the meter is necessary, the centimeter, like the meter, is used in a variety of applications around the world (in nations that have adopted metrication).
Centimeters to Inches Conversion
As we know, 1 inch is equivalent to 2.54 cm in the metric system.
1 inch = 2.54 cm
Or
1 cm = 1/2.54 inches
Hence, to convert cm to inches, we will divide the centimeters value by 2.54.
We can also convert centimeters to inches by multiplying the centimeters value by 0.3937 because one centimeter is approximately equal to 0.3937 inches.
For Example:
To convert 10 cm to inches, we will either divide 10 cm by 2.54 or multiply 10 cm by 0.3937 to get the value in inches i.e 10 / 2.54 = 3.93700 inches or 100.3937 = 3.937 inches.
Hence, 10 cm = 3.9370 inches.
Centimeters to Inches Conversion Chart
Centimeters to Meters Conversion
To convert a centimeter measurement to a meters measurement, we will divide the centimeter value by 100 because 1 centimeter is equal to 1/ 100 meters.
For Example:
To convert 500 centimeters into meters, we will divide 500 cm by 100 i.e. 500/100 = 5m
Hence, 500 cm = 5 m.
Common Facts About Meter
A meter is made up of 100 centimeters.
One centimeter is made up of ten millimeters.
The metric unit of measurement is the centimeter, abbreviated as cm.
When computing an object's surface area, the measurement unit is changed to cm2.
When measuring the volume of an object, the measurement unit is changed to cm3.
Follow These two Simple Steps to Convert Centimeters to Meters.
(Note: You'll learn how to convert cm to m by hand first, then using a calculator afterwards.)
Convert 500 cm to Meters
Let's begin with a basic example in which you must convert 500 centimeters to meters.
Step 1: Multiply the number of centimeters by 100, as shown below:
500 divided by 100 equals five.
Step 2: Change the units of measurement to meters.
5 m = 500 cm
That concludes our discussion.
500 centimeters equals 5 meters in the end.
Centimeters to Feet Conversion
To convert a centimeter measurement to a feet measurement, we will multiply the centimeter value by 0.0328084 because 1 cm is approximately equal to 0.0328084 feet.
For Example:
To convert 5 centimeters into feets, we will multiply 5 cm by 0.0328084 i.e. 5 0.0328084 = 0.164042 feet.
Hence, 5 cm = 0.164042 feet.
Centimeters to Feet Conversion Chart
Fun Facts About Centimeter
The word "centimeter" is derived from the Latin word centum, which means "hundred," and the French word mètre, which means "measurement."
The term “centimeter” was initially coined in 1801 and has since become extensively used.
You multiply by 100 when moving backwards from m to cm.
If you start with meters then convert to centimeters, then back to meters, or vice versa, you'll end up with the same number.
You can use one of the numerous free online centimeters to meters conversion calculators if you need a quick and easy way to convert between different units of measurement, such as centimeters to meters (cm to m).
Uses of Centimeters
In addition to its use in terms of height, centimeters are used:
Sometimes, reporting rainfall as measured by a rain gauge in the CGS system, centimeters are used to measure power, where 1 cm of capacitance = 1.113 × 10-12 farads. On maps, inches are used to make the transition from a map scale to a real-world scale (kilometers) second-minute representation (cm4) such as the kayser cross, the CGS unit, as well as the non-SI metric unit of the wavenumber: 1 kayser = 1 centimeter; or, more commonly, (wave number in kaysers) = 1 / (wavelength in inches). The SI unit of the waven number is the opposite meter, m-1.
Solved Examples
1. What is the value of 30 cm in inches?
Solution:
As we know, 1 cm = 0.3937 inches
To get the value of 30 cm in inches, we will multiply 30 cm by 0.3937.
= 30 × 0.3937
= 11.811 inches
Hence, 30 cm is equal to 11.811 inches
2. How to convert 43 cm into feet?
Solution:
As we know, 1 cm = 0.0328084 ft
To convert 43 cm into feet, we will multiply 43 cm by 0.0328084 feet.
= 43 × 0.0328084
= 1.4107612 inches
Hence, 43 cm is equal to 1.4107612 inches.
3. What is the value of 50 cm in meters?
Solution:
As we know, 1 cm = 1/100 m
To get the value of 100 cm in meters, we will divide 50 cm by 100.
= 50/100
= 0.5 meters
Hence, 50 cm is equal to 0.5 meters.
FAQs on Centimeter
1. What is a centimeter?
A centimeter is a standard unit of length in the metric system. It is used for measuring small objects and short distances. One centimeter is equal to one-hundredth of a meter, which means there are 100 centimeters in 1 meter. We often use it to measure things like the length of a pencil or the width of a book.
2. What is the short form or symbol for a centimeter?
The standard symbol and short form for a centimeter is cm. When writing a measurement, you can use this symbol instead of the full word. For example, a length of 25 centimeters can be written as 25 cm.
3. What are some common things we measure in centimeters?
We use centimeters to measure the length of many small, everyday objects. Some common examples include:
- The length of a crayon or a pencil.
- The width of a notebook or a mobile phone.
- The height of a small toy or a cup.
- The distance between two buttons on a shirt.
4. How can I get a visual idea of how long 1 cm is?
A simple way to visualize 1 cm is to look at your hand. The width of the nail on your little finger (pinky) is often about 1 centimeter across. Another common reference is the width of a standard pencil or a crayon, which is also approximately 1 cm.
5. What tool is used to measure centimeters, and how does it work?
The most common tool for measuring centimeters is a ruler. A ruler has markings called 'hash marks'. The distance between two numbered marks (e.g., from '0' to '1' or '1' to '2') represents exactly 1 centimeter. To measure an object, you align one of its ends with the '0' mark on the ruler and read the number where the other end of the object falls.
6. Why do we need the centimeter unit if we already have the meter?
We use the centimeter because it is more practical for measuring small objects. While you could measure an eraser in meters, the value would be a small decimal (like 0.03 meters). Using centimeters gives us a simple, whole number (like 3 cm), which is much easier to read, write, and understand for everyday, small-scale measurements.
7. How does a centimeter compare to an inch?
A centimeter is smaller than an inch. One inch is equal to exactly 2.54 centimeters. This means you need about two and a half centimeters to equal the length of one inch. Centimeters are part of the metric system used worldwide, while inches are part of the imperial system, used primarily in countries like the USA.
8. Is it spelled 'centimeter' or 'centimetre'?
Both spellings are correct but are used in different regions. 'Centimeter' (with an -er ending) is the standard spelling in American English. 'Centimetre' (with an -re ending) is the standard spelling in British English and is common in many other English-speaking countries. Both spellings refer to the exact same unit of length.
