5 metres to ft — 16.40 feet
5 metres are exactly 16.40 feet. That is 5,000 millimetres or 5 metres. Multiply by 3.28084 to convert any value from metres to ft.
Metres to ft
LiveThe formula
Take the number of metres and multiply it by 3.28084: 5 × 3.28084 = 16.40 ft. The factor comes from the international definition of the units, so the result is exact rather than an estimate — only the displayed value is rounded.
| Result | 16.40 ft |
|---|---|
| In millimetres | 5,000 mm |
| In metres | 5 m |
| In inches | 196.85 in |
Where this measurement turns up
- Building storeys
- climbing walls
- swimming-pool lengths
Worth knowing
Aviation is the most stubbornly imperial corner of the metric world: altitude is reported in feet almost everywhere, including over Europe. A cruise level of 36,000 feet is 10,973 metres, a number no pilot would ever use on the radio.
The mistake to avoid
The trap is using 3.3 as the feet-per-metre factor instead of 3.2808. It is close enough for a rough estimate but drifts by about six centimetres at ten metres — enough to matter when quoting ceiling height or clearance.
Questions people ask
5 metres are exactly 16.40 feet. The calculation is 5 × 3.28084.
Multiply the value in metres by 3.28084. To go the other way, divide the ft figure by the same number.
The conversion factor is defined by international standard, so the underlying result is exact. We round the display to a sensible number of decimal places, which is why you may see a slightly shorter figure than a calculator gives.
For a rough estimate, multiply by 3.3 — close enough for everyday use. For anything that needs to be right, such as a form, a cut list or a shipping label, multiply by exactly 3.28084 instead, since the shortcut drifts further from the true value as the number grows.
Need the reasoning, not just the number?
Our guides explain how each measurement is defined, where it is used and which mistakes cost people money.