Centimeter to Chi (Chinese) Converter
Convert centimeters to chi with our free online length converter.
Quick Answer
1 Centimeter = 0.030003 chi
Formula: Centimeter × conversion factor = Chi (Chinese)
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
Our Accuracy Guarantee
All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Centimeter to Chi (Chinese) Calculator
How to Use the Centimeter to Chi (Chinese) Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Centimeter).
- The converted value in Chi (Chinese) will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Centimeter to Chi (Chinese): Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Centimeter to Chi (Chinese) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Centimeter = 0.030003 chiExample Calculation:
Convert 10 centimeters: 10 × 0.030003 = 0.30003 chi
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
Need to convert to other length units?
View all Length conversions →What is a Centimeter and a Chi (Chinese)?
The centimeter (symbol: cm) is a unit of length equal to exactly one-hundredth of a meter (1/100 m or 0.01 m). It's also equal to exactly 10 millimeters.
The centimeter is part of the International System of Units (SI) and uses the metric prefix "centi-" meaning one-hundredth (from Latin centum, "hundred").
Mathematical Relationships
1 centimeter equals:
- 10 millimeters (mm)
- 0.01 meters (m)
- 0.00001 kilometers (km)
- 0.393701 inches (in)
- 0.0328084 feet (ft)
Key conversion:
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly (this is the official international definition established in 1959)
Why Centimeters?
While the meter is the official SI base unit for length, centimeters are more practical for everyday measurements:
Too small for meters, too large for millimeters: A person who is 1.75 meters tall is more commonly described as 175 centimeters in metric countries. Writing "1.75 m" requires decimals; "175 cm" uses whole numbers.
Human-scale convenience: Most objects people interact with daily—clothing, screens, body measurements, food items—fall naturally into the 1-100 cm range.
Avoids decimal confusion: "15.2 cm" is clearer than "0.152 m" for most people.
The Chi (尺) is a traditional Chinese unit of length, often translated as the "Chinese foot". It served as a fundamental base unit within the traditional Chinese system of weights and measures (度量衡, dùliànghéng).
The Chi is traditionally subdivided and multiplied as follows:
- 1 Zhang (丈) = 10 Chi
- 1 Chi (尺) = 10 Cun (寸 - Chinese inch)
- 1 Cun (寸) = 10 Fen (分 - Chinese line)
While sometimes called the "Chinese foot", its length has historically varied significantly and is generally longer than the imperial foot. The modern standardized value is exactly 1/3 of a meter.
Note: The Centimeter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Chi (Chinese) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Centimeter and Chi (Chinese)
French Revolution and the Birth of the Metric System
1790s: Revolutionary Innovation: The centimeter was born from the French Revolution's ambition to create a rational, universal measurement system based on nature and decimal mathematics.
The Meter Foundation: In 1791, the French Academy of Sciences defined the meter as one ten-millionth (1/10,000,000) of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along the meridian passing through Paris. The centimeter automatically followed as 1/100 of this meter.
Latin Roots: The prefix "centi-" derives from the Latin centum (hundred), making "centimeter" literally "hundredth of a meter."
1795 Official Adoption: France officially adopted the metric system on April 7, 1795, including the centimeter as a standard subdivision of the meter.
CGS System: The Centimeter's Scientific Era
1874: The Centimeter-Gram-Second System: British scientists James Clerk Maxwell and William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) promoted the CGS system, which used:
- Centimeter for length (instead of meter)
- Gram for mass (instead of kilogram)
- Second for time
Scientific Dominance: The CGS system became the preferred standard for physics and chemistry throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many scientific formulas and units were developed using centimeters.
Legacy Units: Several units still reflect the CGS heritage:
- Poise (viscosity): measured in gram/(centimeter·second)
- Erg (energy): gram·centimeter²/second²
- Gauss (magnetic field): CGS unit for magnetic flux density
Transition to SI and the Modern Era
1960: The SI System: The International System of Units (SI) was officially established, promoting the meter-kilogram-second (MKS) system instead of CGS.
Centimeter's Continued Relevance: Despite the official SI preference for meters, centimeters remained dominant for everyday measurements because:
- They're more practical for human-scale objects
- They avoid decimals for most common measurements
- They're familiar and intuitive
Global Adoption: Today, 195 of 198 countries use the metric system, with centimeters as the standard for body height, clothing, and everyday measurements. Only the United States, Myanmar, and Liberia officially use non-metric systems.
The Chi has been used in China for millennia, with its length undergoing numerous changes across different dynasties and regions. Archaeological evidence suggests its use dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC).
- Early Dynasties: Lengths varied, often based on standards set by the ruling government. For example, the Chi during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) was around 23.1 cm, while during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), it was closer to 30.7 cm.
- Later Dynasties: Variations continued. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), different standards existed for different trades, such as a gongchéng chi (工尺) for engineering (approx. 32 cm) and a cáiféng chi (裁縫尺) for tailoring (approx. 35.5 cm).
- 20th Century Standardization: In the Republic of China era (1912–1949), efforts were made to standardize traditional units with the metric system. In 1929, the Chi was officially defined as exactly 1/3 of a meter (33.33... cm). This standard was largely retained by the People's Republic of China after 1949.
Unlike some Western units (like the foot or digit), the Chi's connection to direct anthropomorphic measurement (like the length of a forearm or foot) is less clear and likely became conventionalized early in its history.
Common Uses and Applications: centimeters vs chi
Explore the typical applications for both Centimeter (metric) and Chi (Chinese) (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for centimeters
Medical and Healthcare
Growth Charts: Children's height is tracked in centimeters from birth:
- Pediatricians plot growth on percentile charts
- Birth length recorded in cm (typically 45-55 cm)
- Annual height measurements track development
Medical Measurements:
- Wound size: "3 cm laceration"
- Tumor diameter: measured in cm for staging
- Organ size: "enlarged liver extending 4 cm below rib cage"
- Dilation during childbirth: measured in cm (0-10 cm)
Medical Equipment:
- Blood pressure cuff width: 12-13 cm for adults
- Surgical incision length: documented in cm
- Catheter diameter: measured in mm, length in cm
Education and School Supplies
Rulers and Measuring Tools: Most rulers worldwide show centimeters:
- Standard ruler: 15 cm or 30 cm length
- Meter stick: 100 cm with cm markings
- Tape measures: marked in cm (and meters)
Paper Sizes (International ISO 216 Standard):
- A4 paper: 21 × 29.7 cm (most common worldwide)
- A5 paper: 14.8 × 21 cm (half of A4)
- A3 paper: 29.7 × 42 cm (double A4)
- Letter size (US): 21.6 × 27.9 cm (8.5 × 11 inches)
School Supplies:
- Pencil length: 19 cm (new)
- Notebook width: 15-21 cm
- Eraser length: 4-6 cm
Construction and Home Improvement
Tile Sizes: Floor and wall tiles measured in cm:
- Small tiles: 10×10 cm
- Medium tiles: 30×30 cm
- Large format tiles: 60×60 cm or 80×80 cm
- Subway tiles: 7.5×15 cm
Furniture Dimensions:
- Coffee table height: 40-50 cm
- Dining table height: 75 cm (standard)
- Chair seat height: 45-50 cm
- Sofa seat depth: 50-60 cm
Door Measurements:
- Standard interior door width: 80-90 cm
- Standard door height: 200-210 cm
- Door thickness: 3.5-4.5 cm
Art, Design, and Photography
Photo Print Sizes:
- 10×15 cm (4×6 inches) - standard print
- 13×18 cm (5×7 inches)
- 20×25 cm (8×10 inches)
- 30×40 cm (12×16 inches)
Canvas and Frame Sizes: Art supply stores sell in metric:
- Small canvas: 20×25 cm
- Medium canvas: 30×40 cm
- Large canvas: 50×70 cm
Drawing and Design:
- Technical drawings: dimensioned in cm or mm
- Graph paper: 0.5 cm or 1 cm grids
- Architectural scales: often use 1:50 or 1:100 (cm-based)
Sports and Recreation
Swimming Pool Depth: Measured in cm or meters:
- Shallow end: 90-120 cm
- Deep end: 180-300 cm
- Competition pool depth: minimum 200 cm
Bicycle Frame Sizes: Road bikes measured in cm:
- Small frame: 48-52 cm
- Medium frame: 54-56 cm
- Large frame: 58-62 cm
Sports Equipment:
- Tennis ball diameter: 6.5-6.7 cm
- Golf ball diameter: 4.3 cm
- Basketball diameter: 24 cm
When to Use chi
Historically, the Chi was ubiquitous in Chinese society. Its modern usage is less common but persists in specific areas:
- Historical Measurement: Essential for understanding dimensions in ancient and imperial Chinese architecture, engineering projects (like canals and walls), land surveying (often in conjunction with the Bu 步 and Li 里), and everyday objects.
- Textile Measurement: Used for measuring cloth lengths, similar to the Western ell or yard. The tailor's chi (裁縫尺) was specifically used for this.
- Traditional Crafts: Still used in some traditional arts and crafts, such as calligraphy, painting, furniture making, and seal carving, where traditional proportions are valued.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The cun (1/10th of a chi) is used as a proportional body measurement unit (known as the body inch) to locate acupuncture points. The patient's own body proportions determine the length of their cun.
- Cultural Context: Appears frequently in historical texts, literature, idioms (e.g., 得寸進尺, dé cùn jìn chǐ - "gain an inch, advance a foot," meaning to become greedy), and cultural practices.
- Informal Measurement: In some contexts, particularly among older generations or in rural areas, informal measurements might still reference the chi or cun.
Additional Unit Information
About Chi (Chinese) (chi)
How long is a Chi?
The length of the Chi has varied significantly throughout history. Key values include:
- Han Dynasty: ~23.1 cm (~9.1 inches)
- Tang Dynasty: ~30.7 cm (~12.1 inches)
- Modern Standardized Value (since 1929): Exactly 1/3 of a meter.
- This equals 33.33... centimeters (cm).
- Approximately 13.12 inches (in).
- Approximately 1.094 feet (ft).
What are the subdivisions and multiples of the Chi?
The traditional system is decimal:
- Subdivisions: 1 Chi = 10 Cun (寸); 1 Cun = 10 Fen (分).
- Multiples: 1 Zhang (丈) = 10 Chi. Another important related unit is the Li (里), standardized as 150 Zhang or 1500 Chi (historically varied, now 500 meters).
How does the Chi relate to the Meter?
Since 1929, the Chi has been officially defined in relation to the meter:
- 1 Chi = 1/3 Meter
- 1 Meter = 3 Chi
Is Chi related to other East Asian units?
Yes, the Chi is the historical basis for similar traditional length units in neighboring countries, which evolved independently over time:
- Japan: Shaku (尺) - Modern standardized value is 10/33 meters (approx. 30.3 cm).
- Korea: Cheok (척) or Ja (자) - Modern standardized value is also 10/33 meters (approx. 30.3 cm).
- Vietnam: Thước - Various historical values, sometimes aligned with Chinese standards.
Is the Chi an SI unit?
No, the Chi is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Chinese unit. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Chi still used today?
Officially, China uses the metric system (SI units) for all legal, commercial, and scientific purposes. However, the Chi (and its subdivision, the Cun) still sees use in:
- Traditional crafts and arts.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for body measurements.
- Cultural and historical contexts.
- Informal measurements in some communities.
- The term "Chi" might sometimes be used colloquially to refer to 1/3 of a meter.
Where does the name 'Chi' and the character 尺 come from?
The character 尺 is a pictogram. Its earliest forms are thought to depict a hand stretching out or a measuring tool. Its exact etymological origin related to a specific body part is debated, but it has represented this fundamental unit of length for millennia.
Conversion Table: Centimeter to Chi (Chinese)
| Centimeter (cm) | Chi (Chinese) (chi) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.015 |
| 1 | 0.03 |
| 1.5 | 0.045 |
| 2 | 0.06 |
| 5 | 0.15 |
| 10 | 0.3 |
| 25 | 0.75 |
| 50 | 1.5 |
| 100 | 3 |
| 250 | 7.501 |
| 500 | 15.002 |
| 1,000 | 30.003 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Centimeter to Chi (Chinese)?
To convert Centimeter to Chi (Chinese), enter the value in Centimeter in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our length converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Centimeter to Chi (Chinese)?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Centimeter and Chi (Chinese). You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Chi (Chinese) back to Centimeter?
Yes! You can easily convert Chi (Chinese) back to Centimeter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Chi (Chinese) to Centimeter converter page. You can also explore other length conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Centimeter and Chi (Chinese)?
Centimeter and Chi (Chinese) are both standard units used in length measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our length converter for more conversion options.
For more length conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for length and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Length Conversions
Other Length Units and Conversions
Explore other length units and their conversion options:
- Meter (m) • Centimeter to Meter
- Kilometer (km) • Centimeter to Kilometer
- Hectometer (hm) • Centimeter to Hectometer
- Decimeter (dm) • Centimeter to Decimeter
- Millimeter (mm) • Centimeter to Millimeter
- Inch (in) • Centimeter to Inch
- Foot (ft) • Centimeter to Foot
- Yard (yd) • Centimeter to Yard
- Mile (mi) • Centimeter to Mile
- Nautical Mile (NM) • Centimeter to Nautical Mile
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Official US standards for length measurements
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units official documentation
Last verified: February 19, 2026