Convert meters to feet

Meter

Definition
A meter (symbol: m) is the SI base unit of length, defined as the distance light travels in 1/299 792 458 of a second. This modern definition, refined in 1983 and slightly updated in 2019 to align with changes in the second’s definition, ensures global consistency.

History & Origin

• 1793: Defined as one ten-millionth of the Earth’s quadrant from Equator to North Pole.

• 1889: Switched to the International Prototype Metre—a platinum-iridium bar at 0 °C.

• 1960: Redefined via a specific number of krypton-86 emission wavelengths.

• 1983–2019: Anchored to the speed of light; today’s definition ties the meter to a fixed fundamental constant.

Usage Today
Meters are used worldwide—in science, engineering, construction, and everyday measurements (distance, height, and length). The U.S. remains an exception for many daily applications, favoring customary units.

Foot

Definition
A foot (symbol: ft) is an Imperial and U.S. customary unit of length, exactly 0.3048 m since 1959. One foot equals 12 inches; three feet make a yard.

History & Origin
Various cultures based the “foot” on the human body, causing lengths from ~250 mm to ~335 mm. The current value (304.8 mm) emerged when many countries harmonized their definitions in 1959.

Usage Today
Feet are standard in the U.S., Canada, and U.K. for architecture, aviation altitudes, personal height, and sports field dimensions.

Meter → Foot Conversion Table

How to Convert

• 1 m = 3.280839895 ft

• 1 ft = 0.3048 m

Example

Convert 15 m to feet:

15 m × 3.280839895 ft/m = 49.212598425 ft