Inch (in) - Unit Information & Conversion

Quick Answer

What is an inch? An inch (in) is a unit of length in the US customary and imperial systems, equal to exactly 2.54 centimeters or 1/12 of a foot. It's the fundamental measurement Americans use daily for everything from screen sizes and rainfall amounts to carpentry dimensions and wrench sizes. While most of the world has adopted metric measurements, the inch remains deeply embedded in American manufacturing, construction, and everyday life.

Quick Comparison Table

Inches	Centimeters	Millimeters	Feet	Common Example	Convert Now
1 in	2.54 cm	25.4 mm	0.083 ft	Width of a quarter coin	Convert inches to cm
12 in	30.48 cm	304.8 mm	1 ft	Length of a standard ruler	Convert inches to feet
24 in	60.96 cm	609.6 mm	2 ft	Width of a standard door	Convert inches to mm
32 in	81.28 cm	812.8 mm	2.67 ft	Small computer monitor	Convert cm to inches
55 in	139.7 cm	1,397 mm	4.58 ft	Popular TV screen size	Convert mm to inches
65 in	165.1 cm	1,651 mm	5.42 ft	Large TV screen size	Convert feet to inches

Definition

The inch is a unit of length in the British imperial and United States customary systems of measurement. Since the international yard and pound agreement of 1959, one inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters. This makes the inch equal to 1/12 of a foot, 1/36 of a yard, and 25.4 millimeters precisely.

The inch is denoted by the symbol in or by a double prime mark ″ (e.g., 5″ means 5 inches). In engineering drawings and construction blueprints, dimensions are typically expressed in feet and inches (e.g., 5′-3″ means 5 feet, 3 inches).

Unlike the metric system with its consistent decimal relationships, the inch exists within a complex system where 12 inches make a foot, 3 feet make a yard, and 1,760 yards make a mile. This fractional system reflects the inch's origins in human-scale measurements rather than mathematical convenience.

History

The inch has one of the longest continuous histories of any modern measurement unit, with roots stretching back over two millennia.

Ancient Origins: The Roman "uncia" (meaning one-twelfth) represented 1/12 of a Roman foot, similar to our modern inch. When the Romans occupied Britain, they brought this measurement system with them, establishing a tradition that would last far beyond their empire.

Medieval Definitions: Throughout the Middle Ages, various rulers attempted to standardize the inch using body-based measurements. King Edward I of England ordered in 1305 that an inch should equal the length of three barleycorns (grains of barley) laid end to end. King Edward II formalized this in 1324, making it English law. Other definitions included the width of a man's thumb at the base of the nail.

Regional Variations: Before standardization, different regions maintained slightly different inch measurements. The Tower inch, Merchant's inch, and Cloth inch all differed slightly, causing confusion in trade and construction. The French pouce (thumb) was approximately 1.066 English inches.

1959 International Agreement: The modern inch was defined by the international yard and pound agreement signed by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. They agreed that 1 yard equals exactly 0.9144 meters, making 1 inch exactly 2.54 centimeters. This ended centuries of slight variations and created perfect mathematical alignment between imperial and metric systems.

US Survey Inch: For a time, the US maintained two slightly different inches—the international inch (2.54 cm exactly) and the US survey inch (2.540005080010160020 cm, based on the Mendenhall Order of 1893). As of January 1, 2023, the US officially retired the survey inch, making all American measurements use the international inch exclusively.

Real-World Examples

Electronics and Screens

The inch dominates how we describe electronic displays worldwide, even in metric countries:

• Smartphones: 6.1-inch iPhone, 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy (measured diagonally)
• Tablets: 10.2-inch iPad, 11-inch iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• Laptops: 13-inch MacBook, 15.6-inch standard laptop, 17-inch gaming laptop
• Computer Monitors: 24-inch (common office), 27-inch (popular desktop), 32-inch (large desktop), 49-inch (ultrawide)
• TVs: 55-inch (most popular size), 65-inch (luxury standard), 75-inch (home theater), 85-inch (premium large)
• Projector Screens: 100-inch, 120-inch, 150-inch diagonal measurements

Screen measurements always reference the diagonal distance from corner to corner, not the width or height. A 55-inch TV is approximately 48 inches wide and 27 inches tall in 16:9 aspect ratio.

Weather and Precipitation

US weather reporting measures rainfall and snowfall in inches:

• Light Rain: 0.1 to 0.3 inches of rainfall
• Moderate Rain: 0.3 to 1.0 inch of rainfall (typical rainstorm)
• Heavy Rain: 1 to 2 inches of rainfall (flooding concerns begin)
• Extreme Rainfall: 3+ inches in 24 hours (flash flood warnings)
• Moderate Snowfall: 2-4 inches (school delays)
• Heavy Snowfall: 6-12 inches (road closures common)
• Major Snowstorm: 12-24 inches (blizzard conditions)
• Historic Snowfall: 24+ inches (regional emergency)

The "snow to water ratio" is typically 10:1—meaning 10 inches of snow melts to approximately 1 inch of liquid water. However, wet heavy snow might be 5:1 while dry powder can be 20:1 or higher.

Construction and Carpentry

Construction in the US operates almost entirely in inches and feet:

• Lumber Dimensions: 2×4 (actually 1.5″ × 3.5″), 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, 2×12 boards
• Stud Spacing: 16 inches on center (standard wall framing)
• Drywall Sheets: 48 inches (4 feet) wide, standard across industry
• Plywood: 48″ × 96″ sheets (4′ × 8′)
• Door Heights: 80 inches (6′-8″) standard interior door
• Door Widths: 28, 30, 32, 36 inches (common residential sizes)
• Counter Height: 36 inches (standard kitchen counter)
• Window Rough Openings: Specified in inches (e.g., 36″ × 48″)

Carpenters work to 1/16-inch precision as standard, with finish work often requiring 1/32-inch accuracy. Blueprints and drawings always show dimensions in feet and inches (e.g., 12′-6½″).

Tools and Hardware

Tool sizing in the US exclusively uses inches and fractions:

• Wrench Sizes: 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 3/4″, 7/8″, 1″
• Socket Sets: Same fractional sizes, plus 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ drive sizes
• Drill Bits: Measured in 1/64″ increments (1/16″, 5/64″, 3/32″, 7/64″, 1/8″...)
• Screws: #6-32 (6 gauge, 32 threads per inch), 1/4″-20, 5/16″-18
• Pipe Sizes: 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 2″ (nominal, not actual diameter)
• Plumbing Fittings: Match pipe nominal sizes in inches
• Wire Gauge: AWG system inversely related to wire diameter in inches

Mechanics working on American-made vehicles need complete imperial socket sets, while import vehicles often require metric tools. Many professional mechanics maintain both full sets—a significant investment.

Paper and Document Sizes

Unlike the metric ISO 216 standard (A4, A5), the US uses inch-based paper:

• Letter: 8.5″ × 11″ (standard US office paper)
• Legal: 8.5″ × 14″ (legal documents)
• Ledger/Tabloid: 11″ × 17″ (large format)
• Executive: 7.25″ × 10.5″ (premium stationery)
• Index Cards: 3″ × 5″, 4″ × 6″, 5″ × 8″
• Business Cards: 3.5″ × 2″ (standard US)
• Photo Prints: 4″ × 6″, 5″ × 7″, 8″ × 10″, 11″ × 14″, 16″ × 20″

This creates ongoing incompatibility—A4 paper (8.27″ × 11.69″) doesn't fit perfectly in US letter-size filing systems, and US letter doesn't quite fit A4 page layouts.

Sports and Recreation

Many sports use inch measurements for equipment specifications:

• Basketball Rim: 18 inches in diameter, 10 feet high
• Baseball Bat: Maximum 2.61 inches diameter, 42 inches long
• Softball: 12-inch circumference (official size)
• Bicycle Wheels: 26″, 27.5″, 29″ mountain bikes; 700c (roughly 27″) road bikes
• Skateboard Decks: 7.5″ to 8.5″ wide (standard), 8.5″+ (cruiser/longboard)
• Surfboards: Described in feet and inches (e.g., 6′-2″ shortboard)
• Football Field: 53⅓ yards (160 feet or 1,920 inches) wide
• Golf Hole: 4.25 inches in diameter (standardized worldwide)

Fashion and Apparel

Clothing sizes in the US reference inches extensively:

• Waist Sizes: 28″, 30″, 32″, 34″, 36″, 38″, 40″, 42″ (men's pants)
• Inseam Lengths: 30″, 32″, 34″, 36″ (men's pants)
• Neck Sizes: 14″, 14.5″, 15″, 15.5″, 16″, 16.5″, 17″, 17.5″ (men's dress shirts)
• Sleeve Lengths: 32″, 33″, 34″, 35″, 36″ (dress shirt sleeves)
• Bust/Chest: Measured in inches for bra sizing and custom garments
• Hat Sizes: Circumference in inches (e.g., 22″ = size 7)
• Belt Lengths: Measured in inches from buckle to middle hole
• Shoe Widths: B (narrow), D (standard), EE (wide)—based on inch measurements

Tailors and seamstresses work primarily in inches when altering clothing, taking measurements to the nearest 1/4 or 1/8 inch.

Medical Measurements

Healthcare in the US uses a mix of metric and imperial:

• Newborn Length: Recorded in inches (typical 18-22 inches)
• Height Tracking: Pediatric growth charts show inches and centimeters
• Wound Sizes: Often measured in centimeters, but discussed in inches
• Medical Devices: Many sized in French units, but some in inches
• Blood Pressure Cuffs: Bladder width in inches (child, adult, large adult)
• Medical Imaging: Film sizes historically in inches (8″ × 10″, 10″ × 12″)
• Needles: Gauge system (inversely related to diameter in inches)

The US medical system is slowly transitioning to full metric, but inches persist in patient communication because most Americans don't intuitively understand centimeters.

Common Uses

Home Construction and Renovation

Residential construction in the United States operates almost exclusively in inches and feet. Standard framing uses 16-inch or 24-inch on-center stud spacing, creating modular dimensions that align with 48-inch-wide drywall and plywood sheets. Contractors calculate materials in board feet and square footage, but individual measurements are precise to 1/16 inch.

Kitchen cabinets come in 3-inch width increments (12″, 15″, 18″, 21″, 24″, 27″, 30″, 33″, 36″), with standard depth of 24 inches for base cabinets and 12 inches for wall cabinets. Countertop height standardizes at 36 inches, while bar counters sit at 42 inches. These dimensions have remained unchanged for decades, creating an entire ecosystem of compatible fixtures, appliances, and hardware.

Tile installation relies on precise inch measurements. Floor tiles commonly measure 12″ × 12″, 12″ × 24″, or 24″ × 24″. Wall tiles might be 3″ × 6″ subway tiles or 4″ × 4″ ceramic squares. Grout line spacing typically runs 1/16″ to 1/4″ depending on tile type. Tile setters work to extremely tight tolerances, as even 1/16-inch variation across a room becomes visibly noticeable.

Manufacturing and Machining

American manufacturing maintains imperial measurements for historical and practical reasons. Machine shops operate in decimal inches (0.001″ = 1 "thou" or 1 "mil"), with precision machining achieving tolerances of ±0.0001″ (one ten-thousandth of an inch, called a "tenth").

Thread specifications use threads per inch (TPI): 1/4″-20 means a 1/4-inch diameter bolt with 20 threads per inch. Common thread pitches include coarse (UNC) and fine (UNF) standards, with sizes ranging from #0-80 (tiny electronic screws) to several inches in diameter for industrial equipment.

Sheet metal thickness traditionally uses gauge numbers (inversely related to thickness in inches). 20-gauge steel is approximately 0.036 inches thick, while 10-gauge is 0.135 inches. However, modern manufacturing increasingly specifies thickness in decimal inches (0.063″ aluminum sheet) for clarity.

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines can work in either inches or millimeters, but American shops predominantly program in inches. A machinist might bore a hole to 0.5005″ diameter to accept a 1/2-inch precision shaft with 0.0005″ clearance.

Fasteners and Hardware

The American fastener industry operates entirely in imperial measurements. Screw and bolt diameters are specified in fractions (1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 1/2″) or gauge numbers (#4, #6, #8, #10). Thread pitch is given in threads per inch.

Common bolt sizes and their applications:

• 1/4″-20: Electronics, light fixtures, small brackets
• 5/16″-18: Medium structural connections, automotive
• 3/8″-16: Heavy brackets, machinery, automotive chassis
• 1/2″-13: Structural steel, heavy machinery, trailer hitches
• 5/8″-11: Building construction, large structural connections
• 3/4″-10: Industrial equipment, heavy structural steel

Hex keys (Allen wrenches) come in fractional inch sizes: 1/16″, 5/64″, 3/32″, 1/8″, 5/32″, 3/16″, 7/32″, 1/4″, 5/16″, and 3/8″. Metric hex keys are incompatible—a 5mm key is 0.197″, close to but not quite matching 3/16″ (0.1875″) or 1/4″ (0.25″).

Display Technology and Photography

Television and monitor sizes are universally described by screen diagonal in inches, even in metric countries. This convention originated with cathode ray tubes, where the diagonal measurement corresponded to the visible screen area inside the bezel.

Common display sizes and their uses:

• 24″ monitors: Standard office workstation
• 27″ monitors: Popular desktop size, ideal for 1440p resolution
• 32″ monitors: Large desktop or small TV
• 43″ TVs: Small bedroom TV
• 55″ TVs: Most popular living room size
• 65″ TVs: Premium living room standard
• 75″ TVs: Home theater
• 85″+ TVs: Luxury home cinema

Photography inherited imperial measurements from early camera equipment. Sensor sizes reference inches in confusing ways—a "1-inch sensor" is actually much smaller (13.2 × 8.8 mm), referencing the outer diameter of an obsolete video camera tube rather than the actual sensor dimensions.

Large format photography uses inch measurements directly: 4×5″ and 8×10″ sheet film, or medium format 6×4.5cm, 6×6cm, 6×7cm (which are actually metric despite being called 120 film).

Plumbing and Pipe Systems

Plumbing pipe sizes in the US use nominal measurements that don't match actual dimensions. A "1/2-inch pipe" has an inside diameter of approximately 0.622″ and outside diameter of 0.840″. This naming convention dates back to when pipe walls were much thicker.

Common pipe sizes and uses:

• 1/2″ nominal: Standard water supply lines to fixtures
• 3/4″ nominal: Main water supply within house
• 1″ nominal: Supply from water meter to house
• 1½″ nominal: Sink drain lines
• 2″ nominal: Toilet drain, main stack
• 3″ nominal: Main drain, sewer connection
• 4″ nominal: Main building drain and sewer

Copper pipe uses different sizing: Type M, L, and K copper all have the same outside diameter for a given size, but different wall thicknesses. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing uses actual measurements—1/2″ PEX has a 0.500″ outside diameter.

Weather Reporting and Climatology

United States weather forecasting measures precipitation in inches. The National Weather Service issues warnings based on inch thresholds:

• Flash Flood Watch: Expected 1-2 inches in one hour or 3-4 inches in several hours
• Heavy Snow Warning: 6+ inches in 12 hours or 8+ inches in 24 hours
• Blizzard Warning: 3+ hours of heavy snow with sustained winds 35+ mph

Rainfall intensity rates:

• Light rain: <0.10 inches per hour
• Moderate rain: 0.10 to 0.30 inches per hour
• Heavy rain: >0.30 inches per hour

Annual precipitation varies dramatically across the US:

• Las Vegas, NV: 4.2 inches per year (desert)
• Phoenix, AZ: 8.3 inches per year
• Los Angeles, CA: 14.9 inches per year
• New York, NY: 46.2 inches per year
• Seattle, WA: 37.5 inches per year
• Miami, FL: 61.9 inches per year
• Mobile, AL: 67.0 inches per year (wettest major US city)
• Mt. Waialeale, HI: 450+ inches per year (one of Earth's wettest places)

Automotive and Cycling

American automotive specifications traditionally use inches:

• Wheel Diameter: 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 22″ (passenger vehicles)
• Tire Width: Given in millimeters, but wheel size in inches (e.g., 225/65R17)
• Ground Clearance: Often stated in inches (e.g., 8.6″ clearance)
• Cargo Space: Cubic feet, with dimensions in inches
• Engine Displacement: Historically cubic inches (350 cu in = 5.7L), now usually liters

Bicycle sizing uses a mix of systems. Mountain bike wheels measure 26″, 27.5″ (650B), or 29″ in diameter. Road bikes use the 700c standard (approximately 27″ diameter, derived from French sizing). Frame sizes might be given in inches (17″ mountain bike) or centimeters (56cm road bike) depending on manufacturer and tradition.

HVAC and Duct Work

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the US specify duct sizes in inches. Rectangular ductwork might be 6″ × 10″, 8″ × 12″, or 10″ × 16″. Round ducts come in 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″ diameters.

Air register and vent sizes are standardized in inches:

• Floor registers: 4″ × 10″, 4″ × 12″, 4″ × 14″
• Wall registers: 6″ × 10″, 6″ × 12″, 8″ × 10″
• Return air grilles: 14″ × 24″, 16″ × 20″, 20″ × 20″

Furnace filters use inch sizing: 16″ × 20″ × 1″, 16″ × 25″ × 1″, 20″ × 25″ × 4″. The first two dimensions are the face size, and the third is the thickness. Standard filters are 1″ thick, while pleated media filters might be 4″ or 5″ thick for better filtration and airflow.

Common Conversion Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Confusing Decimal Inches with Fractions

The Error: Measuring 3.5 inches and writing it as 3′-5″ or interpreting 0.75″ as "seventy-five inches."

Why It Happens: Construction blueprints show 3′-5″ (3 feet, 5 inches = 41 inches total), leading people to think the dash and quote marks after a decimal represent feet and inches. Decimal 3.5 means 3.5 inches, not 3 feet 5 inches.

The Reality: Decimal inches and feet-inches notation are completely different systems. 3.5″ = three and a half inches. 3′-5″ = three feet, five inches = 41 inches total. When working in decimal, 0.75″ is three-quarters of an inch, while 3/4″ as a fraction is the same value. Engineers use decimal inches (0.750″), while carpenters use fractions (3/4″).

How to Avoid: Always clarify whether dimensions are in decimal inches or feet-inches format. In blueprints, the apostrophe (′) always means feet and double quote (″) always means inches. In calculator work, decimals represent fractional parts of a single unit.

Mistake 2: Rounding Metric Conversions Incorrectly

The Error: Converting 10 inches to centimeters as 25 cm, or converting 50 cm to inches as 20 inches.

Why It Happens: People use approximations like "an inch is about 2.5 cm" or "divide by 2.5 to get inches from centimeters," introducing significant errors.

The Reality: One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters (not 2.5). This means:

• 10 inches = 25.4 cm (not 25 cm)
• 50 cm = 19.685 inches (not 20 inches)
• 100 cm = 39.37 inches (not 40 inches)

Over larger measurements, these errors compound. A room that's 120 inches (10 feet) wide is 304.8 cm, not 300 cm. That 4.8 cm difference matters in construction and furniture fitting.

How to Avoid: Always use the exact conversion factor 2.54 when accuracy matters. For rough estimates, remember that 1 inch ≈ 2.5 cm underestimates slightly, while 1 cm ≈ 0.4 inches overestimates slightly. In professional contexts, use the exact factor or a precise calculator.

Mistake 3: Mixing Fraction Denominators in Addition

The Error: Adding 3/8″ + 5/16″ = 8/24″ (incorrect) instead of finding a common denominator.

Why It Happens: People add numerators and denominators separately, or don't understand how to work with unlike fractions. Construction and machining require constant fraction addition.

The Reality: You must convert to common denominators first:

• 3/8″ = 6/16″
• 6/16″ + 5/16″ = 11/16″

Alternatively, convert to decimal: 3/8″ = 0.375″ and 5/16″ = 0.3125″, so 0.375″ + 0.3125″ = 0.6875″ = 11/16″.

How to Avoid: Memorize common fraction-to-decimal conversions (1/8=0.125, 1/4=0.25, 3/8=0.375, 1/2=0.5, 5/8=0.625, 3/4=0.75, 7/8=0.875), or use a construction calculator that handles feet-inch-fraction math automatically. Carpenters often work in sixteenths or thirty-seconds as common denominators.

Mistake 4: Confusing Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Dimensions

The Error: Ordering a 2×4 and expecting it to measure 2″ × 4″ actual size.

Why It Happens: Lumber is sold by nominal dimensions, but actual milled dimensions are smaller due to drying and planing. This confuses people new to construction.

The Reality:

• 2×4 lumber actually measures 1.5″ × 3.5″
• 2×6 actually measures 1.5″ × 5.5″
• 2×8 actually measures 1.5″ × 7.25″
• 4×4 post actually measures 3.5″ × 3.5″
• 1×6 board actually measures 0.75″ × 5.5″

These dimensions are standardized by the American Softwood Lumber Standard. The nominal size refers to the rough-cut dimension before drying and planing.

How to Avoid: Always design and calculate using actual lumber dimensions, not nominal sizes. A wall built with 2×4 studs is 3.5 inches thick, not 4 inches. When buying lumber, understand you're using industry naming conventions, not actual measurements.

Mistake 5: Misreading Digital Calipers Toggled to Wrong Unit

The Error: Reading a caliper display showing 25.4 and recording the measurement as 25.4 inches instead of 25.4 millimeters.

Why It Happens: Digital calipers have a button to toggle between inches and millimeters. If someone else used the tool last and switched modes, you might not notice the unit indicator on the display.

The Reality: Many digital measuring tools display units in small text on the LCD screen (often "in" or "mm" in the corner). A measurement of 25.4 mm equals exactly 1 inch. If you record it as 25.4 inches, you're off by a factor of 25.4—an enormous error in manufacturing or machining.

How to Avoid: Always check the unit indicator on digital measuring tools before recording measurements. Develop the habit of verifying that measurements make physical sense—if you're measuring a small shaft and get "25.4 inches," something is clearly wrong. Most machine shops standardize all tools to one unit system to prevent these errors.

Mistake 6: Screen Diagonal vs. Width Confusion

The Error: Buying a 55-inch TV and expecting it to be 55 inches wide, then discovering it doesn't fit in a 55-inch cabinet opening.

Why It Happens: Display sizes always measure the diagonal, but people naturally think in terms of width when planning furniture and wall space.

The Reality: A 55-inch TV (16:9 aspect ratio) measures approximately:

• Diagonal: 55 inches (advertised size)
• Width: 48 inches
• Height: 27 inches

The screen is wider than it is tall, and neither dimension matches the advertised size. Additionally, the bezel adds roughly 1-2 inches to width and height.

How to Avoid: Before buying displays, look up actual width and height dimensions in the specifications. For 16:9 displays, width is approximately 0.87 × diagonal, and height is approximately 0.49 × diagonal. Always measure your space in width and height, not diagonal.