Convert Centimeters to Meters
Centimeters to meters is the conversion behind almost every metric length calculation, since both units are part of the same base-ten system. One centimeter is exactly 0.01 meters — in other words, there are 100 centimeters in a meter.
Centimeters to Meters conversion table
| Centimeters (cm) | Meters (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.01 |
| 2 | 0.02 |
| 3 | 0.03 |
| 5 | 0.05 |
| 10 | 0.1 |
| 20 | 0.2 |
| 50 | 0.5 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 500 | 5 |
| 1,000 | 10 |
The formula
To convert centimeters to meters, multiply the length in centimeters by 0.01:
meters = centimeters × 0.01
A worked example
Converting 100 cm into meters:
100 × 0.01 = 1 m
The same pattern holds at smaller scales: 10 cm is 0.1 m, and 5 cm is 0.05 m.
When you'll use it
Converting a room measurement, a piece of fabric, or a person's height from centimeters into meters for a form or spreadsheet that expects meters. Because the conversion is exact, you never have to worry about rounding error creeping in — it's pure decimal-point movement.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in a centimeter?
Exactly 0.01 meters. This is exact because the metric system defines a meter as 100 centimeters by definition, with no rounding involved.
Is the centimeter to meter conversion exact?
Yes, always. Centimeters and meters both come from the same metric base, so converting between them is just shifting the decimal point two places — no approximation, ever.
How do I convert centimeters to meters in my head?
Move the decimal point two places to the left. 250 cm becomes 2.5 m, 45 cm becomes 0.45 m, and so on.