Since the establishment of the metric system in 1790s, the centimeter, meter and other metric units have served as the standard units to measure distance throughout most of the world. The U.S. is the only major country that still uses the customary system of inches, feet, yards and miles to measure distance. If you are conducting trade and business to and from the U.S., you may need to convert centimeters to feet and inches.

The International Bureau of Weights and Measures oversees the use of the metric system. The U.S. uses the U.S. customary system, which calculates distance measurements in inches, feet, yards and other measurements. If you are shipping a package to and from the U.S., for example, you will need to convert size and weight measurements from the metric system to the customary system, or vice versa.

Because a centimeter is equivalent to 0.3937 inches, you multiply your measurement in centimeters by 0.3937 to convert it to the equivalent measurement in inches. For example, if your measurement is 30 cm, the measurement in inches is approximately 11.8, because 30 times 0.3837 equals 11.811.

Because 30.48 cm equals 1 foot, you will divide your measurement in centimeters by 30.48 to convert it into feet. For example, if your measurement is 800 cm, the measurement in feet is approximately 26.25, because 800 divided by 30.48 equals 26.25.

Online conversion calculators provide a fast, easy-to-use method of converting any type of measurement into another. By typing in your starting value, choosing the unit of measurement and pressing the "convert" button, you can convert centimeters to feet and inches with a click of a button. Many conversion calculators are available online or even on your cellular devices.