Direct comparison
What is the difference between meters and feet?
A meter is a metric unit, while a foot is an imperial and United States customary unit. One meter equals approximately 3.28084 feet.
Both units measure length, height, width, depth, and distance. They differ in physical size, historical origin, measurement system, notation, and geographic use.
The meter is the base unit of length in the International System of Units. The foot is defined in relation to the meter, with one international foot equalling exactly 0.3048 meters.
Enter any meter value to calculate the equivalent length in decimal feet and feet and inches.
Main distinction
Meters and feet measure the same property
Meters and feet both measure linear distance. They can describe a person's height, the width of a room, the length of a wall, the depth of a pool, the height of a building, or the distance between two points.
The difference is the size of the unit used to count that distance. Because one meter is longer than one foot, the numerical value in feet is greater when the same physical length is converted.
The number changes, but the measured length remains the same.
For example, a room that is 5 meters long is approximately 16.4042 feet long. The room does not become longer during conversion; only the unit and numerical representation change.
Unit profiles
Meters and feet side by side
Meter
The meter is the base SI unit of length. It is divided into centimeters and millimeters and combined into kilometers for larger distances.
Foot
The foot contains 12 inches. Three feet make one yard, and 5,280 feet make one statute mile.
| Feature | Meter | Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | m | ft or ′ |
| System | Metric / SI | Imperial / US customary |
| Smaller units | 100 cm or 1,000 mm | 12 inches |
| Length in meters | 1 m | 0.3048 m |
| Length in feet | 3.28084 ft | 1 ft |
| Common use | Most countries | Especially the United States |
Physical size
Which is longer: a meter or a foot?
A meter is longer than a foot. It takes approximately 3.28084 feet to equal one meter.
Approximately 39.37 inches
Exactly 12 inches
One meter minus one foot
Three feet equals 0.9144 meters, so three feet is slightly shorter than one meter. The remaining difference is 0.0856 meters, or 8.56 centimeters.
Think of one meter as a little more than 3 feet 3 inches. Think of one foot as slightly more than 30 centimeters.
Measurement standards
Metric system vs imperial and US customary systems
The metric system is organized around powers of ten. One meter equals 100 centimeters and 1,000 millimeters, while 1,000 meters equal one kilometer. This decimal structure makes scaling between units straightforward.
The foot belongs to systems with non-decimal relationships. One foot contains 12 inches, three feet make one yard, and 5,280 feet make one mile.
Metric measurements are used officially in most countries and are standard in international science and engineering. Feet remain common for personal height, construction, property, aviation altitude, and everyday distance in the United States.
Powers of ten
Millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers scale through factors of 10, 100, or 1,000.
Mixed conversion factors
Twelve inches equal one foot, three feet equal one yard, and 1,760 yards equal one mile.
Changing units
How to convert between meters and feet
Convert meters to feet
Multiply the number of meters by 3.28084. The result is the equivalent measurement in feet.
Example: 4 m × 3.28084 = 13.12336 ft
Convert feet to meters
Multiply the number of feet by 0.3048. This relationship is exact for the international foot.
Example: 10 ft × 0.3048 = 3.048 m
You can check a conversion by applying the reverse formula. Minor differences may appear if the first result was rounded before converting it back.
Where units appear
When meters and feet are commonly used
Personal height
Many countries record height in meters or centimeters. Height in the United States is usually expressed in feet and inches. A height of 1.75 meters is approximately 5 feet 8.90 inches.
Rooms and property
Metric countries often describe room dimensions in meters. US property listings, floor plans, and construction work commonly use feet. International projects may therefore require frequent conversion.
Construction and engineering
Engineering standards commonly use metric units, but local building practices, materials, tools, and legacy drawings may use feet and inches.
Sport
Track events and many field measurements use meters. Some audiences may prefer the equivalent distance in feet for comparison or visualization.
Aviation
Aircraft altitude is commonly reported in feet, even in countries that otherwise use metric measurements. Some aviation distances and technical measurements may also use meters depending on context.
Writing measurements
Meter and foot symbols
The standard symbol for meter is lowercase “m.” It should normally be separated from the numerical value by a space, such as 5 m.
Feet may be written with the symbol “ft” or with a prime mark. For example, 6 feet can be written as 6 ft or 6′. Inches may be written as “in” or with a double-prime mark.
| Measurement | Unit abbreviation | Alternative notation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 meter | 1 m | Not normally written with a prime mark |
| 1 foot | 1 ft | 1′ |
| 6 feet 2 inches | 6 ft 2 in | 6′ 2″ |
Avoid using “M” for meter in normal measurement notation, because unit symbols are case-sensitive. Also distinguish the straight apostrophe on a keyboard from the typographic prime symbol when formal notation is required.
Continue reading
Related meters-to-feet guides
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Is a meter longer than a foot?
Yes. One meter equals approximately 3.28084 feet.
How many feet are in a meter?
There are approximately 3.28084 feet in one meter.
How many meters are in one foot?
One international foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters.
Why are feet still used?
Feet remain common in the United States and in contexts such as personal height, property, construction, and aviation.
Convert a measurement
Use the Meters to Feet Converter
Enter any whole or decimal meter value to calculate decimal feet and a feet-and-inches result.
Open Meters to Feet ConverterLast updated: July 26, 2026