Convert 42 Centimeters to Feet and Inches

How many feet and inches is 42 centimeters?

42 centimeters = 1 ft 4.54 in

  • 42 cm = 1.378 ft
  • 42 cm = 16.535 in
  • Rounded height: about 1 ft 5 in
  • Nearest 1/16 inch: 1′4 9/16″
cm/m → ft and in ft and in → cm/m
42 cm = 1'4.54"
Results
42 cm = 1.38 ft = 16.54 in = 1′4.54″
Values in fractions of inches (*)
42 cm = 1′4 1/2″
42 cm = 1′4 9/16″
42 cm = 1′4 17/32″
42 cm = 1′4 35/64″
42 cm = 1′4 69/128″

(*) Some values may be rounded.

How to Convert 42 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: 42 cm ÷ 2.54 = 16.54 inches
  • Step 2: 16.54 inches ÷ 12 = 1 feet + 4.54 inches
  • Result: 1 feet 4.54 inches (1′4.54″), or 1'5" (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:

0.42 meters × 3.28 = 1.378 feet.

Step 2: Convert the decimal feet to inches

An answer like "1.378 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 (0.378) and multiply it by 12 to turn it into inches. This works because one foot equals 12 inches:

1.378 feet = 1 foot + 0.378 foot. Then 0.378 × 12 = 4.54 inches, so 0.42 meters = 1 foot and 4.54 inches.

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

The previous step gave the answer in decimal inches (4.54), 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 4, the number of whole inches, from 4.54:

4.54 − 4 = 0.54. This is the fractional part of the inches value.

b) Multiply 0.54 by 16 (you could use 8, 16, 32, 64, … depending on the precision you want) to get the number of 16ths of an inch:

0.54 × 16 = 8.64. This is the numerator of the fraction, which may still be reduced.

c) Round the result to the nearest integer:

round(8.64) = 9

Finally, 0.42 meters = 1 foot and 9/16 of an inch.

In short: 0.42 m = 1'4 9/16"

Similar Height Conversions

Heights close to 42 cm for quick reference:

Centimeters Feet and Inches Feet Inches
37 cm 1'2.6" 1.21 ft 14.57 in
38 cm 1'3" 1.25 ft 14.96 in
39 cm 1'3.4" 1.28 ft 15.35 in
40 cm 1'3.7" 1.31 ft 15.75 in
41 cm 1'4.1" 1.35 ft 16.14 in
42 cm 1'4.5" 1.38 ft 16.54 in
43 cm 1'4.9" 1.41 ft 16.93 in
44 cm 1'5.3" 1.44 ft 17.32 in
45 cm 1'5.7" 1.48 ft 17.72 in
46 cm 1'6.1" 1.51 ft 18.11 in
47 cm 1'6.5" 1.54 ft 18.5 in

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42 cm to feet and inches — 42 cm = 1'4.54"

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is 42 cm in feet and inches?

42 cm equals 1 feet 4.54 inches (1'4.54").

How do I convert 42 cm to feet and inches?

Divide 42 by 2.54 to get 16.54 inches. Divide by 12: 1 feet with 4.54 inches remaining.

Is the conversion exact?

Yes. 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly (1959 International Agreement). All values on this page use this exact factor.

Related Length Converters

All unit conversions on CoolConversion use conversion factors defined or documented by internationally recognised standards bodies (such as ISO and NIST), including both SI and non-SI units.

Conversion factors verified against NIST, BIPM, ISO 80000-3 1 inch = 2.54 cm by international agreement (1959). Last reviewed: March 2026
Adilson Fernandes By Adilson Fernandes
Tiago Fernandes Reviewed by Tiago Fernandes