Millimeters to Centimeters Converter
Convert millimeters to centimeters instantly. One millimeter equals exactly 0.1 centimeters. Type in either box to convert both ways, then use the chart, worked examples and everyday sizes below.
How to convert millimeters to centimeters
Worked example: convert 120 millimeters to centimeters. Using centimeters ← millimeters ÷ 10, we get 120 × 0.1 = 12 cm. To check the result, convert back: 12 cm ÷ 0.1 = 120 mm.
Millimeters to centimeters chart
| Millimeters (mm) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| 1 mm | 0.1 cm |
| 2 mm | 0.2 cm |
| 3 mm | 0.3 cm |
| 4 mm | 0.4 cm |
| 5 mm | 0.5 cm |
| 6 mm | 0.6 cm |
| 8 mm | 0.8 cm |
| 10 mm | 1 cm |
| 12 mm | 1.2 cm |
| 15 mm | 1.5 cm |
| 20 mm | 2 cm |
| 25 mm | 2.5 cm |
| 30 mm | 3 cm |
| 40 mm | 4 cm |
| 50 mm | 5 cm |
| 75 mm | 7.5 cm |
| 100 mm | 10 cm |
| 150 mm | 15 cm |
| 200 mm | 20 cm |
| 250 mm | 25 cm |
| 500 mm | 50 cm |
| 1,000 mm | 100 cm |
Centimeters to millimeters (reverse)
| Centimeters (cm) | Millimeters (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 10 mm |
| 2 cm | 20 mm |
| 5 cm | 50 mm |
| 10 cm | 100 mm |
| 20 cm | 200 mm |
| 50 cm | 500 mm |
| 100 cm | 1,000 mm |
| 250 cm | 2,500 mm |
| 500 cm | 5,000 mm |
| 1,000 cm | 10,000 mm |
About the millimeter and the centimeter
A millimeter (millimetre) is one thousandth of a meter and is the everyday unit for small parts: screw diameters, phone thickness, rainfall totals and camera sensor sizes. A credit card is 0.76 mm thick, which gives a feel for the scale.
The centimeter (centimetre) is one hundredth of a meter, about the width of a fingertip. Outside the United States it is the standard unit for body height, clothing measurements, furniture and parcel sizes.
One centimeter equals 10 millimeters, which makes the centimeter the longer unit of the two.
Everyday sizes in millimeters and centimeters
| Everyday example (approximate) | In millimeters | In centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| The thickness of a credit card | 0.76 mm | 0.076 cm |
| The long side of an A4 sheet of paper | 297 mm | 29.7 cm |
| A typical adult's height | 1,700 mm | 170 cm |
| A standard interior door | 2,032 mm | 203.2 cm |
| A double-decker bus length | 11,000 mm | 1,100 cm |
| An Olympic swimming pool | 50,000 mm | 5,000 cm |
Millimeters to centimeters FAQ
How many centimeters are in one millimeter?
One millimeter equals exactly 0.1 centimeters. In the other direction, one centimeter equals 10 millimeters.
How do I convert millimeters to centimeters without a calculator?
convert 120 millimeters to centimeters. Using centimeters ← millimeters ÷ 10, we get 120 × 0.1 = 12 cm. To check the result, convert back: 12 cm ÷ 0.1 = 120 mm. For a quick estimate, round the factor to 0.1. Then 120 mm is about 12 cm, compared with the exact 12 cm (an error of 0%). That is close enough for planning, but use the calculator above when the number matters.
What is an Olympic swimming pool in centimeters?
An Olympic swimming pool is about 50,000 millimeters, which is 5,000 centimeters. Treat that as an approximate everyday figure rather than an official measurement.
Are the millimeters and centimeters the same in every country?
The millimeter is exactly 0.001 m in every country that uses the metric system. The centimeter is exactly 0.01 m.