The need to easily convert measurements from inches arises in many everyday situations. Even though most lengths are measured in centimeters and meters, inches are still a common unit of measurement. In the field of measurement, the term “inch” encompasses several historical variations. One inch is roughly 2–3 centimeters. Both Henry I in 1101 and Edward II in 1234 had their own definitions of an inch. Today, the inch is no longer used as a unit of measurement in every language area; in Germany, measurements are taken in centimeters and other units, while in England and the U.S., inch measurements are still common. That’s why—as women know best—inch measurements are still used in the fashion industry, which can sometimes cause confusion. Who hasn’t stood in a jeans store and been at a loss as to what the inch measurements meant? One inch is equal to 2.54 cm, so you can use this conversion as a guide the next time you buy a pair of jeans.
Here's how to easily convert inch sizes
When buying jeans in a store, there might still be a salesperson on hand who knows the appropriate size conversion. Alternatively, you could simply measure the jeans by eye, take them into the fitting room, and try them on. But since more and more people are shopping at online stores these days, you’ll need some guidance if the pants sizes are listed in inches and need to be converted first. An inch is the same unit of measurement as a Zoll, which is 2.54 cm. If you want to know your current pants size so you can buy a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, here’s what you should do:
- Measure the waist circumference; dividing the number in centimeters by 2.54 inches gives 28.7, which is 29 inches.
- Measure the stride length—also by dividing centimeters by 2.54 inches—and determine the length in inches
The result is a jeans size that couldn’t be more precise and can be used as-is for shopping at any jeans store or online jeans retailer. The width corresponds to the waist circumference, and the length corresponds to the inseam. A quick Google search will show you how to convert from inches to centimeters —for example, here. This page also provides very detailed information on the conversion. The site also lists other areas where products are measured in inches, which is why our conversion skills come in handy.
Smartphones, Tablets, and More – Easily Convert Inches and Other Measurements
Anyone looking for a new multimedia device will inevitably come across measurements in inches. Even the TV in your home is listed using this unit, and if you don’t know it by heart, you’ll have to do the math. How many people buy a smartphone and read the specs: 4-inch screen, dual-core, 1 GHz, etc.? Is that a large or small screen? If you had a formula to easily convert inches to centimeters, it would be no problem at all to figure out that this screen is 10.2 cm in size. Since the conversion is quick thanks to the well-known conversion factor of 2.54, you can even snag a bargain or two at an online store without regretting it later.
