How Long Is a Meter? Definition, Conversions, Examples, FAQs

How Long Is a Meter?

Meter (m) is an SI unit of measuring length. To understand how long 1 meter is, we will try to compare it with the larger and smaller units of length, such as feet, yards, centimeters, inches, etc. It will give us a better idea of how 1 meter compares to other measurements.

Metric units of length are millimeter, centimeter, meter, and kilometer. Customary units of length are inch, feet, yards, miles.

Definition of Meter

A meter (abbreviated as m) is a metric unit of length that equals 100 centimeters or one-thousandths of a kilometer.

Objects That Are about 1 Meter Long

Let’s look at a few daily objects that are 1 meter long. It will help us to visualize how long 1 meter is.

Most guitars are about 1 meter long. A baseball bat measures about 1 meter in length. A golf club is just over 1 meter.

Meter Conversions

In order to convert the length given in meters to other different units, we are required to know the relation or the conversion factor between the meter and the other units. 

It is very easy to convert metric units of length using the following chart.

To go one position to the right, multiply by 10.

To go one position to the left, divide by 10.

Meter to Centimeter

A centimeter (cm) is a unit, which is used to represent measurements that are smaller than the meter. 

• 100 cm $= 1$ meter 
• 1 cm $= \frac{1}{100}$ m 

Example: Convert 500 cm to meters.

1 cm $= \frac{1}{100}$ meters

500 cm $= 500 \times (\frac{1}{100}) = 5$ m

Meter to Millimeter

A millimeter (mm) is the smallest unit of length in the metric system. 

• 1000 mm $= 1$ m 
• 1 mm $= \frac{1}{1000}$ m 

Example: Convert 7000 mm to meters.

1 mm $= \frac{1}{1000}$ m

7000 mm $= 7000 \times \frac{1}{1000} = 7$ meters

Meter to Inches

An inch (in or ”) is a customary unit of length. 

• 1 meter $= 39.37007874$ inches
• 1 inch $= 0.0254$ m 

Example: Jason has a rope of length 58’’. Calculating how long the rope is in meters.

1 inch $= 0.0254$ meters

58 inches $= 58 \times 0.0254$ meters $= 1.4732$ meters

Meter to Yards

A yard (yd) is a customary unit of length which is larger than an inch. 1 meter is longer than a yard since 1 m $≈ 3.28$ feet but 1 yard $= 3$ feet.

Here are the conversion factors for the meters to yards conversion: 

• 1.094 yard $= 1$ meter 
• 1 yard $= 1.914$ m 

Example: Convert 5 yards to meters.

1 yard $= 1.914$ of a meter.

5 yards $= 5 \times 1.914$  meters $= 4.572$ meters

Meter to Feet

A foot, feet in plural, (ft) is a customary unit of length. Meter to feet (or feet to meter) conversions are based on the following conversion factors:

• 3.28084 feet $= 1$ meter 
• 1 foot $= 0.3048$ meter

Example: Convert 8 ft into meters.

1 ft $= 0.3048$ meters

8 ft $= 8 \times 0.3048$ meters $= 2.4384$ meters

Meter Conversions Chart

1 m $= 1000$ mm	1 millimeter $= 0.001$ m
1 m $= 100$ cm	1 centimeter $= 0.01$ m
1 m $= 39.3701$ in	1 inch $= 0.0254$ m
1 m $= 1.09361$ yards	1 yard $= 0.9144$ m
1 m $= 3.28084$ feet	1 feet $= 0.3048$ m

Facts about “Meter”

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the conversion of different units, like cm, mm, foot, yards, inches to meter and vice versa. Let’s now solve some examples to understand the topic better.

Solved Examples on “Meter”

1. The width of a door is 24 inches. How wide is the door in meters?

Solution: 

The width of the door is 24 inches. 

1 inch $= 0.0254$ meter

 24 inches $= 24 \times 0.0254 = 0.6096$ meters

Therefore, the width of the door $= 0.6$ meters approximately.

2. How many feet are in 15 meters?

Solution: 

1 meter $= 3.28$ feet

Thus, 15 meter $= 15 \times 3.28 = 49.2126$ feet

Therefore, there are just above 49 feet in 15 meters.

3. Is 1 meter longer than 1 yard?

Solution: 

Let’s express 1 meter and 1 yard in terms of the same unit.

1 meter $= 39.3701$ inches

1 yard $= 36$ inches

Thus, 1 meter is a little longer than 1 yard (1 yard $= 0.9144$ m).

4. Convert 3 mm to meters.

Solution: 

1 mm $= \frac{1}{1000}$ m

Thus, 3 mm $= 3 \times \frac{1}{1000} = 0.003$ m

Therefore, 3 mm $= 0.003$ m

Practice Problems on “Meter”

Frequently Asked Questions about “Meter”