Whether you’re tackling a DIY project, packing for international travel, or just browsing online stores, understanding different units of measurement is essential. Converting between units, especially length, is a common task. For example, you may be trying to figure out what 17 centimeters is in inches. Why? Because the world doesn’t agree on a single system!
This guide will walk you through converting centimeters to inches, give you some context, and show you how to quickly convert from centimeters to inches.
Understanding Centimeters and Inches
To really get a grip on what 17 centimeters is, it’s helpful to understand centimeters and inches in a broader sense. Let’s take a look:
What’s a centimeter?
A centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system, the same system that uses meters, grams, and liters. Most of the world uses the metric system for measurement.
Centimeters are frequently used to measure smaller things. There are 100 centimeters in a meter, and 10 millimeters in a centimeter.
What’s an inch?
The inch (in) is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. The United States is just about the only place that still uses inches in daily life.
Inches are often used to describe the size of screens (TVs, monitors, tablets, phones) and to measure clothing. There are 12 inches in a foot and 36 inches in a yard.
Converting 17 Centimeters to Inches
Sometimes, you need to convert measurements from one system to another. Here’s how to change 17 centimeters into its equivalent in inches.
The Conversion Factor
The conversion factor is:
1 centimeter = 0.393701 inches
This also means that 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.
The Calculation
To convert 17 cm to inches, you’ll multiply 17 cm by 0.393701 inches/cm:
17 cm 0.393701 inches/cm = 6.692917 inches
So, 17 centimeters is approximately equal to 6.693 inches.
Practical Application
Knowing how to convert centimeters to inches can be useful in all sorts of situations. If you travel or work internationally, you may need to order materials from another country or complete a DIY project that uses measurements from another system. You’ll be able to quickly convert the measurement you have to the one you need.
How to convert centimeters to inches
Converting centimeters to inches is pretty straightforward. The formula is this:
Inches = Centimeters 0.393701
So, if you want to convert a measurement from centimeters to inches, just multiply the number of centimeters by 0.393701. For example, to find out how many inches are in 17 centimeters, you would multiply 17 by 0.393701.
For faster and more accurate calculations, you can always use an online conversion calculator.
How to use online centimeter to inch converters
The easiest way to convert centimeters to inches is to use one of the many free online converters. They’re fast, accurate, and simple to use. Just search the web for “centimeter to inch converter” and you’ll find plenty of options.
Most online converters work the same way: type the number of centimeters into the provided box, and the converter will automatically display the result in inches. With a good converter, you can convert 17 centimeters to inches in seconds.
When do you need to convert centimeters to inches?
It’s helpful to know how to convert centimeters to inches for a number of reasons.
Here are some examples:
- DIY projects and home improvement: You might need to measure wood or fabric, for example.
- International travel: You might need to understand clothing sizes or luggage dimensions.
- Engineering and construction: You might need to convert measurements on blueprints.
Key Takeaways
Knowing how to convert between different units, like centimeters and inches, can be really helpful in many situations.
As you now know, 17 centimeters is about 6.693 inches. The conversion factor you’ll want to remember is 0.393701.
Bookmark this page for future reference! Whether you’re working on a craft project, ordering something online, or just curious, you can use this information and the tools we’ve provided to convert centimeters to inches whenever you need to.