India mostly uses the metric system – kilograms, centimetres, litres and degrees Celsius – but feet and inches, pounds, Fahrenheit and square feet are everywhere too: on thermometers, in gyms, in property ads, in international recipes and on online shopping sites. This cheat sheet collects the conversions you'll actually use, with simple mental tricks so you can estimate without a calculator.
Need an exact answer? Our converters do it instantly: Height Weight Temperature
Length and height
| From | To | Exact / close value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | cm | 2.54 cm (exact) |
| 1 foot | cm | 30.48 cm (exact) |
| 1 metre | feet | 3.281 ft |
| 1 mile | km | 1.609 km |
| 1 km | miles | 0.621 miles |
Height trick: divide centimetres by 2.54 to get inches, then split into feet (÷ 12). 170 cm = 66.9 inches = 5′7″ (rounded). Going the other way, 5′6″ = 66 inches × 2.54 = 167.6 cm. Use the height converter for an instant answer.
Distance trick: km to miles – multiply by 6 and divide by 10 (100 km ≈ 60 miles; exactly 62.1).
Weight
| From | To | Exact / close value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | pounds | 2.205 lb |
| 1 lb | kg | 0.4536 kg (453.6 g) |
| 1 ounce | grams | 28.35 g |
| 1 stone | kg | 6.35 kg (14 lb) |
Trick: kg to lb – double it and add 10%. 70 kg → 140 + 14 = 154 lb (exactly 154.3). lb to kg – halve it and subtract 10%: 150 lb → 75 − 7.5 = 67.5 kg (exactly 68.0).
Temperature
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 0 °C | 32 °F | Water freezes |
| 25 °C | 77 °F | Pleasant weather |
| 37 °C | 98.6 °F | Typical body temperature |
| 38 °C | 100.4 °F | Commonly treated as fever |
| 100 °C | 212 °F | Water boils (at sea level) |
| 180 °C | 356 °F | Common baking temperature |
Formulas: °F = °C × 1.8 + 32 and °C = (°F − 32) ÷ 1.8. Trick: °C to °F – double it and add 30 (works well for weather). °F to °C – subtract 30 and halve it. For thermometer readings, use the exact temperature converter – and for health questions, always check with a doctor.
Area: flats, plots and land
| Unit | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 square metre | 10.764 sq ft |
| 1 square yard (gaj) | 9 sq ft |
| 1 acre | 43,560 sq ft ≈ 4,047 sq m |
| 1 hectare | 2.471 acres = 10,000 sq m |
| 1 guntha | 1,089 sq ft (121 sq yards) |
Flats in India are usually sold in square feet, while plots are often measured in square yards (gaj) or square metres. Traditional land units like bigha, biswa and kanal vary a lot from state to state – even district to district – so always confirm the local value in official land records before buying or selling.
When comparing flats, check whether the price is quoted on carpet area (usable floor area inside the walls) or on a larger "built-up" or "super built-up" area. Under RERA, developers have to state the carpet area.
Volume and kitchen measures
| Measure | Approx. value |
|---|---|
| 1 litre | 1,000 ml ≈ 0.264 US gallons |
| 1 US gallon | 3.785 litres |
| 1 cup (US recipes) | about 240 ml |
| 1 tablespoon | about 15 ml |
| 1 teaspoon | about 5 ml |
Cups measure volume, not weight, so a cup of flour weighs much less than a cup of sugar. For baking, weighing in grams is the most accurate.
Tips for accurate conversions
- Use exact values (like 2.54 cm per inch) for anything official – forms, medical readings, property documents.
- Round only at the end of a calculation, not at each step.
- Check which "gallon" or "cup" a recipe means – US and UK measures differ.
- For body measurements, use the converters together with tools like the BMI calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm are in a foot?
Exactly 30.48 cm, since one foot is 12 inches and one inch is 2.54 cm.
How many square feet are in one gaj?
One gaj (square yard) is 9 square feet.
How do I quickly convert kg to pounds?
Double the kilograms and add 10%. For example, 70 kg is about 140 + 14 = 154 lb.
Is a bigha the same everywhere in India?
No. The size of a bigha varies widely between states and regions, so always confirm the local value in official land records.