The meter (m) is the standard unit of length in the metric system, used in most countries for measuring distances, heights, and dimensions. Meanwhile, the foot (ft) is part of the imperial and US customary systems, primarily used in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For quick unit conversions, try our handy Length Converter.
To convert m to ft, use this formula:
Feet = Meters × 3.28084
For example, to convert 2 meters to feet:
2 × 3.28084 = 6.56168 ft
In practical terms, 1 meter is slightly longer than 3 feet, making it easy to estimate rough conversions.
.jpg)
The average human height is around 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches).
An official NBA basketball hoop stands 3.05 meters (10 feet) high.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was originally 146.6 meters (481 feet) tall.
The tallest recorded person, Robert Wadlow, was 2.72 meters (8 feet 11 inches) tall.
The Statue of Liberty (without the pedestal) is 46 meters (151 feet) high.
During the Space Race of the 1960s, the United States and the Soviet Union used different measurement systems in their space programs. NASA, following the imperial system, often had to convert measurements from meters to feet when collaborating with international scientists. This led to one of the most expensive conversion mistakes in history—the loss of the $125 million Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999. The failure happened because one engineering team used feet, while another used meters, leading to miscalculations that sent the spacecraft off course and ultimately into destruction.
This historic error reinforced the need for precision in unit conversions, proving that even small mistakes in converting m to ft (or vice versa) can have massive consequences.
.jpg)
To convert m to ft, simply multiply by 3.28084. While meters dominate in science and engineering, feet remain widely used in aviation, sports, and construction in certain countries. Understanding both units is crucial in an increasingly globalized world, where measurement accuracy can make all the difference. To explore more unit options, check out our Conversion tool.
