Centimeter to Klafter Converter
Convert centimeters to klafter with our free online length converter.
Quick Answer
1 Centimeter = 0.005273 klafter
Formula: Centimeter × conversion factor = Klafter
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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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 Klafter Calculator
How to Use the Centimeter to Klafter Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Centimeter).
- The converted value in Klafter 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 Klafter: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Centimeter to Klafter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Centimeter = 0.00527287 klafterExample Calculation:
Convert 10 centimeters: 10 × 0.00527287 = 0.0527287 klafter
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 Klafter?
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 Klafter is a historical unit of length originating from Central Europe, particularly prominent in German-speaking regions like Austria, Bavaria, Prussia, and Switzerland. It is conceptually similar to the fathom, often defined by the span of a person's outstretched arms.
While its exact length varied significantly by region and time, a widely recognized standard, especially from the Austrian Empire, defines the Klafter as 6 Vienna feet (Wiener Fuß). This equates to approximately:
- 1.8965 meters (m)
- 6.222 feet (ft) (using the Vienna foot of ~0.31608 m)
The Klafter was also used as a unit of area (Quadratklafter or square Klafter) and volume (Kubikklafter or cubic Klafter), especially for measuring firewood (often called a Raummeter or Ster in this context, though volumes could vary). This page focuses on the linear Klafter.
Note: The Centimeter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Klafter belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Centimeter and Klafter
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 term "Klafter" likely derives from Old High German klāftra, related to the act of embracing or grasping, reflecting its origin as an anthropometric unit based on arm span.
- Regional Variations: Before widespread standardization and metrication, the length of the Klafter differed across various German states and Swiss cantons. For example, the Prussian Klafter was slightly different from the Austrian one.
- Standardization Efforts: Attempts were made to standardize measures, with the Austrian system (based on the Wiener Fuß) becoming influential. The definition of 1 Klafter = 6 Fuß (feet) = 72 Zoll (inches) was common, but the length of the Fuß itself varied.
- Dual Use (Length & Volume): The Klafter was notably used for measuring stacked firewood. A Klafter Holz typically referred to a stack of wood 1 Klafter high, 1 Klafter wide, and a specific log length (often 3 or 4 feet), representing a volume unit.
- Metrication: The Klafter became obsolete following the adoption of the metric system across Central Europe, primarily during the latter half of the 19th century (e.g., Germany 1872, Austria 1876).
Common Uses and Applications: centimeters vs klafter
Explore the typical applications for both Centimeter (metric) and Klafter (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 klafter
Historically, the Klafter served various measurement needs:
- Forestry: Measuring timber lengths and, crucially, the volume of stacked firewood.
- Mining: Measuring the depth of shafts and the length of tunnels.
- Construction: Measuring building dimensions, rope lengths, and materials.
- Surveying: Measuring land distances and areas (Quadratklafter), although units like the Ruthe (rod) were also common for land.
- Nautical: Sometimes used similarly to a fathom for measuring water depth or rope lengths, though less common than the English fathom in maritime contexts.
Today, its use is confined to historical records, architectural studies, forestry history, and understanding old land deeds or documents.
Additional Unit Information
About Klafter (klafter)
How long is a Klafter?
The length varied, but the most common standard, based on the Austrian system, is:
- Exactly 6 Vienna Feet (Wiener Fuß)
- Approximately 1.8965 meters
- Approximately 6.222 feet
Other historical values might range roughly from 1.7 to 1.95 meters depending on the specific regional "foot" standard used.
Is a Klafter the same as a fathom?
Conceptually, they are very similar, both derived from the span of outstretched arms. Numerically, they are close but distinct.
- Klafter (Austrian): ~1.8965 meters / ~6.222 feet
- Fathom (International): Exactly 1.8288 meters / 6 feet
So, the common Austrian Klafter was slightly longer than the standard fathom.
What were the main related units in the Austrian system?
The Klafter was part of a system:
- 1 Klafter = 6 Fuß (Vienna Foot or Wiener Schuh)
- 1 Fuß = 12 Zoll (Vienna Inch or Wiener Zoll)
- 1 Zoll ≈ 2.634 cm / 1.037 inches
- 1 Fuß ≈ 31.608 cm / 12.444 inches / 1.037 feet
Where was the Klafter primarily used?
It was used across Central Europe, notably in:
- Austria-Hungary
- Southern German states (Bavaria, Württemberg)
- Prussia (with a slightly different length)
- Switzerland
- Other parts of the Holy Roman Empire and subsequent German Confederation.
Is the Klafter still used today?
No, the Klafter is obsolete for practical measurements. It was replaced by the meter during metrication in the 19th century. Its relevance is purely historical.
How does a Klafter compare to a meter or foot?
- A Klafter (~1.9 m) is almost twice as long as a meter. (1 Klafter ≈ 1.9 m)
- A Klafter (~6.2 ft) is significantly longer than a standard foot. (1 Klafter ≈ 6.2 ft)
Is the Klafter an SI unit?
No, the Klafter is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from historical Central European measurement systems. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Conversion Table: Centimeter to Klafter
| Centimeter (cm) | Klafter (klafter) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.003 |
| 1 | 0.005 |
| 1.5 | 0.008 |
| 2 | 0.011 |
| 5 | 0.026 |
| 10 | 0.053 |
| 25 | 0.132 |
| 50 | 0.264 |
| 100 | 0.527 |
| 250 | 1.318 |
| 500 | 2.636 |
| 1,000 | 5.273 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Centimeter to Klafter?
To convert Centimeter to Klafter, 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 Klafter?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Centimeter and Klafter. 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 Klafter back to Centimeter?
Yes! You can easily convert Klafter back to Centimeter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Klafter to Centimeter converter page. You can also explore other length conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Centimeter and Klafter?
Centimeter and Klafter 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
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📚 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