Converting between different units is a skill used everywhere from engineering to construction to everyday life.
In this article, we’ll explain the process for a specific conversion: 170 millimeters to inches. We’ll walk through the formula and show you that 170mm is roughly equal to 6.69 inches.
Understanding Millimeters and Inches
To understand how to convert 170 mm to inches, let’s quickly review these two units of measurement.
What is a Millimeter?
A millimeter (mm) is a unit of length in the metric system, which is the International System of Units (SI). Think of it this way: A millimeter is one-thousandth of a meter.
What is an Inch?
An inch (in) is a unit of length in both the imperial system and the U.S. customary system of measurement. There are 12 inches in a foot.
How do I convert millimeters to inches?
The formula for converting millimeters (mm) to inches is pretty simple:
Inches = Millimeters ÷ 25.4
OR
Inches = Millimeters x 0.03937
The conversion factor (0.03937 or 1/25.4) comes from the definition of an inch: one inch is exactly 25.4 millimeters.
So, to convert 170 mm to inches, you’d do this:
170 mm x 0.03937 = 6.6929 inches
OR
170 mm / 25.4 = 6.6929 inches
That means 170 millimeters is about 6.6929 inches.
Converting to fractional inches
In construction, woodworking, and other crafts, measurements are often expressed as fractional inches rather than decimal inches. So, how do you convert 170 mm to fractional inches?
- Convert 170 mm to decimal inches: 6.6929 inches
- Multiply the decimal part (.6929) by your desired denominator. For example, if you want to convert to the nearest 1/16th of an inch, multiply by 16.
- Round to the nearest whole number.
- Express the result as a fraction.
So, to convert 6.6929 inches to the nearest 1/16th of an inch, we multiply .6929 by 16, which gives us 11.0864. Rounding to the nearest whole number, we get 11. Therefore, 170 mm is approximately 6 and 11/16 inches. You can repeat this process to get the nearest 1/32 or 1/64.
Where is this useful?
Converting millimeters to inches is useful in construction, engineering, manufacturing, and do-it-yourself projects. These fields commonly use both metric and imperial units.
Rulers and tape measures are helpful for measuring length in both units. You can find many calculators and conversion websites online that offer quick and accurate conversions, too.
Wrapping Up
So, to quickly convert 170 mm to inches, you can multiply by 0.03937 or divide by 25.4. Either way, you’ll find that 170 mm equals approximately 6.6929 inches. This conversion is handy in many situations where you need to use inches instead of the metric system.
Understanding how to convert between units is essential for accurate measurements and clear communication, no matter what measuring system you use.