Conversion Formula:
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The feet to meters conversion is a standard unit conversion in the International System of Units (SI). One foot is equal to exactly 0.3048 meters. This conversion is essential for scientific, engineering, and many everyday applications where metric units are required.
The calculator uses the simple conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: The conversion factor 0.3048 is exact and defined by international agreement for the foot-meter relationship.
Details: Accurate length conversion between imperial and metric systems is crucial for international trade, engineering projects, scientific research, and many technical fields where consistency in measurement is required.
Tips: Enter the length in feet (positive value only). The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent length in meters with high precision.
Q1: How precise is the conversion factor?
A: The factor 0.3048 is exact by definition, so conversions are mathematically precise.
Q2: What's the history behind this conversion?
A: The international foot was defined in 1959 as exactly 0.3048 meters to standardize measurements between countries using different systems.
Q3: Are there different definitions of a foot?
A: Yes, but the international foot (0.3048 m) is now standard. The US survey foot (1200/3937 m) was used until 2022 but is now deprecated.
Q4: When would I need this conversion?
A: Common uses include construction plans, athletic measurements, aviation altitudes, and scientific research when working with international teams.
Q5: How do I convert meters back to feet?
A: Multiply meters by 3.28084 (1/0.3048) to get feet. Many calculators offer bidirectional conversion.