CalculationTime

Feet and Inches to Decimal Feet Calculator

Convert feet and inches to decimal feet for cut lists, room measurements, estimating sheets and classroom work, with metric cross-checks and a printable measurement record.

Live math canvas

Your numbers, formula and explanation together

Feet and Inches to Decimal Feet Calculator: 5.667 ft. 5 ft × 12 + 8 in + 0/8 in = 68 total inches · decimal feet 5.66666667 · 172.72 cm · 1.7272 m

Formula applied

The exact method behind this answer

CalculationTime keeps the method visible so the number can be checked instead of blindly trusted.

Total inches = feet × 12 + inches + eighths ÷ 8. Decimal feet = total inches ÷ 12. Centimetres = total inches × 2.54. Metres = centimetres ÷ 100. Planning decimal feet = (total inches + allowance inches) ÷ 12.
  1. Apply the formulaTotal inches = feet × 12 + inches + eighths ÷ 8. Decimal feet = total inches ÷ 12. Centimetres = total inches × 2.54. Metres = centimetres ÷ 100. Planning decimal feet = (total inches + allowance inches) ÷ 12.5.667 ft5 ft × 12 + 8 in + 0/8 in = 68 total inches · decimal feet 5.66666667 · 172.72 cm · 1.7272 m

Your live breakdown

Current inputs in the calculation

These values come from the controls above and update when the calculator changes.

Feet
5 ft
Enter the whole-foot part of the measurement.
Inches
8 in
Enter the inch remainder. Values over 12 are allowed and converted into the total.
Extra eighths of an inch
0 eighths
Optional tape-measure fraction: 1 means 1/8 inch, 4 means 1/2 inch.
Cut / clearance allowance
0 in
Optional allowance kept separate from the measured conversion.
Decimal-feet rounding increment
0.001 ft
Use 0.001 ft for estimating sheets, or a smaller increment for audit work.

Resulting answer

5.667 ft

5 ft × 12 + 8 in + 0/8 in = 68 total inches · decimal feet 5.66666667 · 172.72 cm · 1.7272 m

Answer
5.667 ft
Live support
5 ft × 12 + 8 in + 0/8 in = 68 total inches · decimal feet 5.66666667 · 172.72 cm · 1.7272 m

Assumptions used

What this answer assumes

Best for construction estimating sheets, room measurements, product dimensions, cut lists and classrooms where tape-measure notation must become one decimal-foot value without hiding the original measurement.

  • Feet and inches are treated as international-foot and international-inch measurements.
  • Extra eighths are added to the inch field before conversion, so 5 ft 8 in and 4 eighths becomes 5 ft 8.5 in.
  • Inch values over 12 are accepted because the formula uses total inches; the result still reports one decimal-foot total.
  • Cut or clearance allowance is shown separately from the measured conversion so the original measurement remains auditable.
  • For structural drawings, code work, fabrication tolerances or supplier orders, confirm the required unit, rounding rule and site measurement before relying on the number.

Master’s Tip

How to use the result well

Master’s Tip: print both the tape-measure form and the decimal-foot result. Estimating sheets often want decimal feet, while site notes and cut lists are easier to check in feet and inches.

Printable record

What belongs in the saved calculation

Save the inputs, result, formula, assumptions, page URL and date together so the calculation can be reviewed later.

Feet
5 ft
Enter the whole-foot part of the measurement.
Inches
8 in
Enter the inch remainder. Values over 12 are allowed and converted into the total.
Extra eighths of an inch
0 eighths
Optional tape-measure fraction: 1 means 1/8 inch, 4 means 1/2 inch.
Cut / clearance allowance
0 in
Optional allowance kept separate from the measured conversion.

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Embed this calculator

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Formula

Total inches = feet × 12 + inches + eighths ÷ 8. Decimal feet = total inches ÷ 12. Centimetres = total inches × 2.54. Metres = centimetres ÷ 100. Planning decimal feet = (total inches + allowance inches) ÷ 12.

Worked example

For 5 ft 8 in with 0 extra eighths, total inches = 5 × 12 + 8 = 68 in. Decimal feet = 68 ÷ 12 = 5.6667 ft. The metric cross-check is 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 cm, or 1.7272 m.

Professional note

Master’s Tip: print both the tape-measure form and the decimal-foot result. Estimating sheets often want decimal feet, while site notes and cut lists are easier to check in feet and inches.

Regional and unit assumptions

Standard or basis: international foot and inch, with 1 foot = 12 inches and 1 inch = exactly 2.54 centimetres. This is a measurement, estimating and worksheet calculator, not a fabrication tolerance certificate or engineering approval.

Assumptions and limitations

Methodology & Accuracy

How this calculator is checked

CalculationTime pages are built around visible arithmetic: the formula, assumptions, worked example and practical limitations are shown so the result can be checked rather than simply trusted.

Formula used

Total inches = feet × 12 + inches + eighths ÷ 8. Decimal feet = total inches ÷ 12. Centimetres = total inches × 2.54. Metres = centimetres ÷ 100. Planning decimal feet = (total inches + allowance inches) ÷ 12.

Standard or basis

Standard or basis: international foot and inch, with 1 foot = 12 inches and 1 inch = exactly 2.54 centimetres. This is a measurement, estimating and worksheet calculator, not a fabrication tolerance certificate or engineering approval.

Where a calculator follows a named legal, trade or industry standard, that standard is cited visibly. Otherwise the page uses transparent general arithmetic and states its limits.

Master's Tip

Master’s Tip: print both the tape-measure form and the decimal-foot result. Estimating sheets often want decimal feet, while site notes and cut lists are easier to check in feet and inches.

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These cards are resolved from calculator data, category context and live-route status so the page links to useful next steps without hand-built link clutter.

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Questions

How do I convert feet and inches to decimal feet?

Multiply feet by 12, add the inches, then divide total inches by 12. For example, 5 ft 8 in is 68 inches, and 68 ÷ 12 = 5.6667 ft.

What is 5 feet 8 inches in decimal feet?

5 feet 8 inches is 5.6667 decimal feet before rounding because 5 × 12 + 8 = 68 inches and 68 ÷ 12 = 5.6667.

Can I include eighths of an inch?

Yes. Enter the whole inches and then the extra eighths. The calculator adds eighths ÷ 8 to the inch measurement before converting to decimal feet.

Why keep allowance separate from the decimal-feet conversion?

Allowance is a job or cutting decision, not part of the measured value. Keeping it separate makes the printout easier to audit later.

What should I print for a decimal-feet measurement record?

Print the feet, inches, fraction, total inches, decimal feet, metric cross-checks, rounding basis, allowance, formula, date, page URL and job notes.

Calculation note

Feet-and-inches notation is natural on a tape measure, but spreadsheets, estimating software and some formulas often need one decimal-foot number. A good record keeps both forms visible.

Decimal feet are a bridge format

A worker may measure 5 ft 8 in on site, while a spreadsheet column expects 5.6667 ft. The conversion is simple, but the paper trail matters when the number feeds area, volume or cost calculations.

Fractions belong before rounding

Tape-measure fractions such as eighths should be converted into inches before the decimal-foot division. Rounding the final decimal too early can change downstream material estimates.

Allowances should stay visible

Clearance, saw kerf, waste and tolerance decisions are not unit conversions. Showing them as separate report lines protects the original measurement and makes job notes easier to review.

Sources and further readingNIST — U.S. Survey Foot: Revised Unit Conversion FactorsBIPM — The International System of Units (SI)Encyclopaedia Britannica — Measurement system