Meters to Feet Conversion: Complete Guide with Examples

Understanding Meters and Feet

Converting between meters and feet is essential for international communication, construction projects, travel, and understanding heights and distances across different measurement systems.

The Conversion Formula

To convert meters to feet, use this simple formula:

For a quick approximation:

Step-by-Step Conversion

1. Take your measurement in meters
2. Multiply by 3.28084 for exact conversion
3. Round to desired precision

Example: Convert 5 meters to feet

• 5 m × 3.28084 = 16.4042 feet
• Rounded: 16.4 feet or 16 feet 5 inches

Quick Reference Conversion Chart

Common Meter to Feet Conversions

• 1 m = 3.28 feet
• 2 m = 6.56 feet
• 3 m = 9.84 feet
• 5 m = 16.40 feet
• 10 m = 32.81 feet
• 20 m = 65.62 feet
• 50 m = 164.04 feet
• 100 m = 328.08 feet

Height Conversions (Common Human Heights)

• 1.5 m = 4 feet 11 inches
• 1.6 m = 5 feet 3 inches
• 1.7 m = 5 feet 7 inches
• 1.8 m = 5 feet 11 inches
• 1.9 m = 6 feet 3 inches
• 2.0 m = 6 feet 7 inches

Converting Feet to Meters

To convert in the opposite direction:

Or approximately:

Practical Applications

Construction and Architecture

• Building heights and room dimensions
• International building codes
• Material specifications
• Blueprint conversions

Sports and Athletics

• Track and field events (100m = 328 feet)
• Swimming pool lengths (50m = 164 feet)
• High jump and pole vault records
• Soccer/football field dimensions

Travel and Geography

• Mountain heights and elevations
• Building and monument heights
• Depth measurements
• Distance markers

Converting to Feet and Inches

To express the result in feet and inches:

1. Convert meters to feet (multiply by 3.28084)
2. The whole number is the feet
3. Multiply the decimal by 12 to get inches

Example: 1.75 meters

• 1.75 × 3.28084 = 5.74147 feet
• Feet: 5
• Inches: 0.74147 × 12 = 8.9 inches
• Result: 5 feet 9 inches

Mental Math Shortcuts

• Quick estimate: Multiply meters by 3 for a rough idea
• Better estimate: Multiply by 3, then add 10%
• Remember key points: 1m ≈ 3.3 feet, 2m ≈ 6.6 feet

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using 3 instead of 3.28: Creates 8-9% error
• Confusing meters with centimeters: 1m = 100cm
• Wrong direction: Dividing when you should multiply
• Forgetting decimal places: Precision matters in construction

Real-World Examples

• Eiffel Tower: 330m = 1,083 feet
• Olympic pool: 50m = 164 feet
• Basketball hoop: 3.05m = 10 feet
• Story height: ~3m = ~10 feet per floor

Conclusion

Converting meters to feet is straightforward with the formula: multiply by 3.28084. Whether you're working on construction projects, following sports, or traveling internationally, this conversion helps bridge the gap between metric and imperial systems.

For instant conversions, use our Length Converter tool!