Convert Millimeters to Centimeters

Unit	Value
Centimeters [cm]

Understanding Millimeters and Centimeters

Both the millimeter (mm) and the centimeter (cm) are units of length in the metric system, the internationally recognized standard for measurement. They are fundamental for precise measurements in various fields, from engineering and manufacturing to everyday tasks.

What is a Millimeter (mm)?

The millimeter is one of the smallest common units of length in the metric system. The prefix "milli-" denotes one thousandth (1/1000).

Definition: One millimeter is equal to one thousandth of a meter (0.001 m).
Relationship to Centimeter: There are 10 millimeters in one centimeter.
Common Uses: Millimeters are typically used for very precise measurements of small objects, such as the thickness of paper, the diameter of wires, the size of components in electronics, or rainfall measurements. They are also used in engineering drawings and architectural plans.

What is a Centimeter (cm)?

The centimeter is a unit of length in the metric system that is commonly used for everyday measurements. The prefix "centi-" denotes one hundredth (1/100).

Definition: One centimeter is equal to one hundredth of a meter (0.01 m).
Relationship to Millimeter: One centimeter is equal to 10 millimeters.
Common Uses: Centimeters are widely used for measuring the length of objects like books, pens, the height of people, or fabric dimensions. They are a convenient unit for measurements that are larger than millimeters but smaller than meters.

Why Convert Between Millimeters and Centimeters?

Converting between millimeters and centimeters is a common task due to their frequent use in different contexts and the ease of conversion within the metric system. For instance, an architect might specify a small dimension in millimeters for precision, while a tailor might work with centimeters for fabric cuts. Understanding how to switch between these units ensures accuracy and clear communication in various professional and daily scenarios. The simple base-10 relationship makes these conversions very straightforward.

Millimeters to Centimeters Conversion Table

Millimeters [mm]	Centimeters [cm]
1 mm	0.1 cm
2 mm	0.2 cm
5 mm	0.5 cm
10 mm	1 cm
20 mm	2 cm
50 mm	5 cm
100 mm	10 cm
1000 mm	100 cm

How to Convert Millimeters to Centimeters

Converting a measurement from millimeters (mm) to centimeters (cm) is a very simple process within the metric system, as it's based on powers of ten.

There are 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter.

To convert any value in millimeters to centimeters, you simply need to divide your millimeter value by 10.

Here's the simple formula:
Centimeters = Millimeters ÷ 10

Let's look at an example:
Suppose you have a measurement of 75 millimeters and you want to know what that is in centimeters.
Using the formula:
75 mm ÷ 10 = 7.5 cm
So, 75 millimeters is equal to 7.5 centimeters.

If you need to convert from centimeters back to millimeters, you would simply multiply your centimeter value by 10.