5’8″ in cm: Exact Conversion & Height Context
Ever found yourself converting 5’8″ to centimeters and ending up with a number that feels off? The exact conversion is 172.72 cm, but common confusions like confusing 175 cm with 5’8″ abound.
5 feet 8 inches in centimeters: 172.72 cm ·
Total inches: 68 ·
Formula: Total inches × 2.54 ·
Common confusion: 175 cm = 5’9″, not 5’8″
Quick snapshot
- 5’8″ = 172.72 cm (The Calculator Site (conversion resource))
- 1 foot = 30.48 cm, 1 inch = 2.54 cm (SplashLearn (educational math resource))
- Whether 172.72 cm is “short” for a man is subjective and culturally dependent.
- The precise origin of why 175 cm is commonly mislabeled as 5’8″ is anecdotal.
- 1959: The foot was defined as exactly 30.48 cm under the international yard and pound agreement (RapidTables (conversion resource))
- Use this verified conversion for height comparisons, medical records, or travel.
- Watch out for common rounding errors — especially the 175 cm vs 5’8″ confusion.
Five key facts about the conversion, one pattern: the math is fixed, but rounding and perception introduce variance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Exact metric equivalent | 172.72 cm |
| Total inches | 68 |
| Conversion factor (foot to cm) | 30.48 |
| Conversion factor (inch to cm) | 2.54 |
| Difference from 175 cm | 2.28 cm (5’8″ is shorter) |
How tall is 5 foot 8 in cm?
The exact conversion: 5’8″ = 172.72 cm
- 5 feet 8 inches equals exactly 172.72 centimeters, as verified by multiple conversion tools (Inch Calculator (specialized conversion tool); The Calculator Site (conversion resource)).
- This conversion is mathematically fixed: 1 foot = 30.48 cm, 1 inch = 2.54 cm (RapidTables (conversion resource)).
Step-by-step calculation
- Convert feet to inches: 5 ft × 12 = 60 inches.
- Add the remaining inches: 60 + 8 = 68 inches total.
- Multiply total inches by 2.54: 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 cm (MiniWebTool (conversion utility)).
- Optionally, convert to meters: 172.72 cm ÷ 100 = 1.7272 m.
What is 5 foot 8 in cm to inches?
- To convert 5’8″ to inches: 5 feet × 12 = 60 inches + 8 inches = 68 inches total. Then 68 inches × 2.54 cm = 172.72 cm.
Anyone relying on a quick Google search might see 172.7 cm as a rounded value, but the exact figure is 172.72 cm — a 0.02 cm difference that rarely matters in daily life but can affect precision in fields like aviation or tailoring.
Is 175 cm 5’9″ or 5’8″?
Why 175 cm is 5’9″, not 5’8″
- 175 cm converts to approximately 5 feet 8.9 inches, which rounds up to 5’9″ (Omni Calculator (conversion tool)).
- 5’8″ is strictly 172.72 cm; any height above 172.72 cm but below 175.26 cm is between 5’8″ and 5’9″.
- The difference of 2.28 cm often leads to the mislabeling of 175 cm as 5’8″.
Common rounding errors explained
- Some sources round 5’8.9″ down to 5’8″ because they drop the decimal, creating the confusion (Alberta Health Services (health authority) approximation chart).
- The practical approximation 1 inch = 2.5 cm (used in some medical charts) also shifts values slightly.
Is 170 cm 5’7″ or 5’8″?
170 cm is 5’7″ exactly
- 170 cm converts to 5 feet 6.93 inches, officially rounded to 5’7″ (Inch Calculator (specialized conversion tool)).
- The cutoff for 5’8″ begins at 172.72 cm.
- A person at 170 cm is approximately 2.72 cm shorter than 5’8″.
Comparison to 5’8″ threshold
- 170 cm is below the 5’8″ threshold by over 2.5 cm — a noticeable gap in person but often overlooked in casual conversation.
Is 5.8 feet tall?
Understanding the 5.8 feet measurement
- 5.8 feet is a decimal representation; it equals 5 feet + 0.8 feet (9.6 inches), or approximately 5’10” (RapidTables (conversion resource)).
- 5’8″ is a separate measurement (5 feet + 8 inches).
- Decimal feet are not commonly used in height measurements and cause confusion with feet-inches notation.
Difference between 5’8″ and 5.8 feet
- 5.8 feet = 176.8 cm, which is 4.08 cm taller than 5’8″.
- Mixing decimal and feet-inches can lead to errors of 4 cm or more.
Is 175 cm short for a guy?
Average male height comparisons
- The average male height in the United States is approximately 175.3 cm (5’9″) (Healthline (health information publisher)).
- In many Northern European countries, 175 cm is considered below average.
- In many Asian and Latin American countries, 175 cm is above average.
Context: global and regional averages
- Perception varies significantly by region — what is “short” in the Netherlands is “tall” in Indonesia.
Is 170 cm tall for a guy?
Global context for 170 cm male height
- 170 cm (5’7″) is below the global average for men (Healthline (health information publisher)).
- In the US, it falls in the 30th percentile for adult males.
- Height perception is influenced by ethnicity, age, and regional demographics.
Social perception factors
- While 170 cm is below average, it is still within a standard range and not considered unusual in many communities.
How to Convert 5’8″ to cm: Step-by-Step
- Convert feet to inches: 5 ft × 12 = 60 inches.
- Add the remaining inches: 60 + 8 = 68 inches total.
- Multiply total inches by 2.54: 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 cm (MiniWebTool (conversion utility)).
- Optionally, convert to meters: 172.72 cm ÷ 100 = 1.7272 m.
Travelers, medical professionals, and online shoppers who rely on height conversions need the exact number — not an approximation — to avoid errors in clothing sizes, medical dosages, or equipment fit.
The implication: mastering this conversion prevents costly mistakes in real-world applications.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- 5’8″ = 172.72 cm (mathematical constant).
- 175 cm = 5’9″ (rounded up from 5’8.9″).
- 170 cm = 5’7″ (rounded down from 5’6.93″).
What’s unclear
- Perception of whether 172.72 cm is “short” for a man is subjective and culturally dependent.
- The precise origin of why 175 cm is commonly mislabeled as 5’8″ is anecdotal.
What this means: the math is unambiguous, but social interpretation remains fluid.
Quotes from experts
“5 feet 8 inches stands at 172.72 centimeters.”
— Inch Calculator (specialized conversion tool)
“A conversion table confirms 5’8″ equals 172.72 cm.”
— SplashLearn (educational math resource)
For travelers, the choice is clear: learn the exact conversion (172.72 cm) and the common pitfalls, or risk ordering the wrong size and missing height references abroad.
For those curious about the reverse conversion, the 175 cm to feet conversion guide explains why 175 cm is often mistaken for 5’8″.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact height of a 5’8″ person in centimeters?
Exactly 172.72 cm, or 1.7272 meters.
How do I manually convert feet and inches to cm?
Multiply feet by 30.48, inches by 2.54, then add the results.
Is 5’8″ the average height for a man?
No, the US average is 5’9″ (175.3 cm). 5’8″ is slightly below average.
What height is 5’8″ considered in modeling?
In fashion modeling, 5’8″ is often considered too short for runway, but it’s acceptable for commercial and fitness modeling.
Can someone 5’8″ be considered tall in some countries?
Yes, in parts of Southeast Asia and Latin America, 5’8″ is above average for men.
Is 5.8 feet the same as 5’8″?
No, 5.8 feet is about 5’10”. They are different measurements.
Why do people confuse 175 cm with 5’8″?
Because 175 cm rounds to 5’8.9″, and some sources drop the decimal, creating the myth.
Knowing these answers helps avoid common height conversion pitfalls.
Related reading
- 5pm SGT to UK Time: Quick & Accurate Conversion Guide
- Number to Words Converter: Complete Guide & Free Tools
Mastering unit conversions is a practical skill that extends beyond height.
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