Convert 159 Centimeters to Feet and Inches

How to Convert 159 Cm to Feet and Inches

Method 1: Convert from Centimeters to Feet and Inches

To convert centimeters to feet and inches, first divide by 2.54 to get total inches, then separate into feet and remaining inches.

• Step 1: 159 cm ÷ 2.54 = 62.60 inches
• Step 2: 62.60 inches ÷ 12 = 5 feet + 2.6 inches
• Result: 5 feet 2.6 inches (5′2.6″), or 5'3" (approximately)

Method 2: Convert from Meters to Feet and Inches

One meter is a measure of length and equals approximately 3.28 feet, while one foot equals exactly 12 inches. The exact conversion factor is 1 meter = 3.2808398950131 feet, but 3.28 is close enough for most practical purposes, so we will use it in the example below.

Step 1: Convert from meters to feet

Since 1 meter is about 3.28 feet, multiply the meter value by 3.28:

1.59 meters × 3.28 = 5.215 feet.

Step 2: Convert the decimal feet to inches

An answer like "5.215 feet" may not mean much on its own, since you probably want the decimal part — which is in feet — expressed in inches, a smaller and more practical unit.

So, take everything after the decimal point (0.215) and multiply it by 12 to turn it into inches. This works because one foot equals 12 inches:

5.215 feet = 5 feet + 0.215 foot. Then 0.215 × 12 = 2.58 inches, so 1.59 meters = 5 feet and 2.58 inches.

Step 3: Convert from decimal inches to a usable fraction of an inch

The previous step gave the answer in decimal inches (2.58), but how do you measure that on a ruler or tape? Here is a procedure (which can also be done with a calculator) to convert the decimal inches to the nearest usable fraction:

a) Subtract 2, the number of whole inches, from 2.58:

2.58 − 2 = 0.58. This is the fractional part of the inches value.

b) Multiply 0.58 by 16 (you could use 8, 16, 32, 64, … depending on the precision you want) to get the number of 16ths of an inch:

0.58 × 16 = 9.28. This is the numerator of the fraction, which may still be reduced.

c) Round the result to the nearest integer:

round(9.28) = 9

Finally, 1.59 meters = 5 feet and 9/16 of an inch.

In short: 1.59 m = 5'2 ⁹/₁₆"

Share This Calculation