Convert mm to cm

Please provide values below to convert millimeter [mm] to centimeter [cm].

Millimeter (mm)

Definition: A millimeter (mm) is a unit of length in the metric system, commonly used for measuring small objects and precise dimensions. It is widely used in engineering, manufacturing, science, and everyday life.

1 millimeter = 0.001 meters (m)
0.1 centimeters (cm)
1,000 micrometers (µm)
1,000,000 nanometers (nm)
0.03937 inches (in)

Conversion Millimeter to Other Units:

• 10 mm = 1 cm
• 100 mm = 10 cm = 0.1 m
• 1,000 mm = 1 meter (m)
• 25.4 mm = 1 inch

Where is a Millimeter Used?

A millimeter (mm) is a very small unit of length, commonly used in fields requiring precision. It is especially useful for measuring objects that are too small for centimeters but too large for micrometers.

• Engineering & Manufacturing: Used for precise measurements of small components.
• Medicine: Used in medical tools and measurements (e.g., syringe needle sizes).
• Science & Microscopy: Helps measure small biological structures.
• Daily Life: Used in measuring jewelry, screws, phone thickness, etc.

What Can Be Measured with a Millimeter?

1. Science & Medicine:

• Medical tools & devices – Needle thickness, surgical instruments
• Biology – Cell sizes (although smaller units like micrometers are more common)
• Physics & Chemistry – Measuring wavelengths, thin films, or crystal structures

2. Engineering & Manufacturing:

• Machinery components – Screws, bolts, nuts, gears
• Electronics – Circuit boards, chip components, wire diameters
• Automotive industry – Tolerances in engine parts, brake pads

3. Construction & Architecture:

• Furniture & interior design – Cabinet gaps, door frame precision
• Glass cutting – Window and mirror thickness
• Flooring & tiling – Tile spacing, wood thickness

4. Daily Life Objects:

• Paper thickness – Standard printer paper is about 0.1 mm thick
• Credit card thickness – About 0.76 mm
• Jewelry measurements – Ring sizes, gemstone settings
• Hair thickness – Human hair is about 0.04–0.1 mm

5. Technology & Gadgets:

• Smartphones & laptops – Device thickness (e.g., an iPhone is around 7 mm thick)
• Camera lenses – Precision focus adjustments

Centimeter

A centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system. It is equal to one-hundredth (1/100) of a meter or 10 millimeters. The centimeter is commonly used worldwide, except in countries like the United States, where the imperial system is still prevalent.

Conversion Centimeter to Other Units:

• 1 cm = 10 mm
• 1 cm = 0.01 m (1/100 of a meter)
• 1 cm = 0.3937 inches
• 1 cm = 0.00001 km (1/100,000 of a kilometer)

Where is a Centimeter Used?

The centimeter is widely used in everyday measurements, including:

• Human height (e.g., "I am 170 cm tall.")
• Body measurements (waist, chest, etc.)
• Clothing sizes
• Rulers and measuring tapes (most standard rulers have cm markings)
• Architecture and construction (blueprints, interior design)
• Science and medicine (measuring small specimens, lab tools)
• Cartography (maps often use cm for scale representation)

Historical Origin of the Centimeter:

The centimeter originated from the metric system, which was introduced in France in the late 18th century during the French Revolution. The metric system was designed to provide a universal and decimal-based system of measurement, replacing older, inconsistent systems. The word "centimeter" comes from the Latin "centum" (meaning one hundred) and "metrum" (meaning measure). The metric system, including the centimeter, was later adopted worldwide due to its simplicity and precision.

What Can Be Measured with a Centimeter?

The centimeter is commonly used in most countries around the world for everyday measurements, especially in:

• Tailoring and fashion (fabric length, body measurements)
• School and education (geometry, rulers, science experiments)
• Home improvement and DIY projects (measuring furniture, walls, and decorations)
• Medical fields (tracking growth, medical imaging)
• Technology (dimensions of small devices like smartphones, laptops)
• Sports (athlete heights, jump distances)

Millimeter to Centimeter Conversion Table

How to Convert Millimeter to Centimeter

1 mm = 0.1 cm
1 cm = 10 mm

Example: convert 15 mm to cm:
15 mm = 15 / 10 cm = 1.5 cm

Popular Length Unit Conversions