Centimeters (cm) and inches (in) are both units of length, but they come from different measurement systems. Centimeters are part of the metric system, which is used around the world, while inches belong to the imperial and US customary systems.
Knowing how to convert between these units is surprisingly useful in many situations. Maybe you’re buying furniture overseas, working on a DIY project with international instructions, or trying to understand clothing sizes.
This article is a guide to converting 120cm to inch. We’ll cover the formula, some real-world examples, and helpful conversion tools. Mastering unit conversions can save you from costly mistakes and make working with international measurements a breeze!
Centimeters and inches: a quick primer
To understand the relationship between centimeters and inches, it’s helpful to define what they are and where they came from.
Centimeters (cm)
The centimeter is a metric unit of length. There are 100 centimeters in a meter, and the metric system was first adopted in France in 1799. Centimeters are used in science, engineering, and everyday measurements in many countries.
Inches (in)
The inch is a unit of length in the imperial and U.S. customary measurement systems. The inch has been used for centuries; some believe it’s based on the width of a human thumb. In the U.S., inches are commonly used for everyday measurements, construction, and manufacturing.
How to convert 120 cm to inches
To convert centimeters to inches, you need to know the conversion factor. There are approximately 0.393701 inches in a centimeter. You can also say that one inch equals 2.54 centimeters.
To convert centimeters to inches, you can use this simple formula:
Inches = Centimeters × 0.393701
Let’s use this formula to convert 120 cm to inches:
120 cm × 0.393701 = 47.2441 inches
So, 120 cm is equal to 47.2441 inches. While you might round this number for some purposes, the precise conversion is 47.2441 inches.
Practical applications of converting 120 cm to inches
When might you need to convert 120 cm to inches? Here are a few real-world examples:
Home improvement and DIY projects
If you’re choosing furniture or mapping out a room design, you may need to convert metric measurements to inches. For example, the IKEA BILLY bookcase has shelves that are 120 cm wide, or about 47.24 inches.
Fashion and clothing
Fabric is often measured in centimeters. The standard width of professional fabric bolts is 120 cm.
Gardening and plants
Garden beds and plant spacing are often measured in centimeters, and you may need to convert that measurement to inches to accommodate your tools.
Sports equipment
Youth soccer goals, for example, have a maximum legal width of 4.8 meters. You might want to convert that measurement to centimeters and then to inches for comparison.
Electronics
The diagonal measurement of many 55-inch TVs is about 120 cm (visible screen area).
Tools and tips for easy conversion
Need to convert centimeters to inches regularly? Here are some tools and tricks you can use:
- Online conversion calculators: These are the easiest way to get a precise conversion quickly.
- Smartphone apps: Many apps offer unit conversion as part of their features.
- Conversion charts: Keep a printed chart handy for fast reference.
- Estimation techniques: Remember that 1 cm is a little less than half an inch (about 0.4 inches). This helps you make quick estimates.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Converting between metric and imperial units is pretty straightforward, but it’s easy to make a mistake! Here’s how to ensure accuracy:
- Rounding Errors: Don’t round off too soon! Keep several decimal places during the calculation, only rounding the final result.
- Incorrect Formula: Always use the correct formula: inches = centimeters × 0.393701.
- Unit Confusion: Double-check that you’re converting centimeters to inches, not some other unit.
- Wrong Value: Before you start, make sure you’ve entered the correct value (120cm in this case!).
Conclusion
We’ve explored how to convert centimeters to inches, focusing on the specific example of 120 cm. Remember, the formula is simple: multiply the number of centimeters by 0.393701 to get the equivalent in inches. So, 120 cm is equal to 47.2441 inches.
Understanding how to convert between units is essential in many aspects of daily life. Whether you’re planning a home renovation, shopping online for clothes, or trying to understand the dimensions of a product, knowing how to convert from one measurement system to another is critical.
Use the conversion tools and tips we’ve discussed to make your conversions accurate and efficient. In our increasingly globalized world, being able to quickly and accurately convert between different units of measurement is a skill that will save you time and prevent errors.