Convert 12 inches to cm Step by Step

Step by step

The question

Question: change 12 inches into centimeters.

12 in = ? cm

1 Find the link

1 inch is 2.54 centimeters.

1 in = 2.54 cm

2 Make the unit fraction

We want centimeters, so centimeters go on top.

We have inches, so inches go at the bottom.

Top and bottom are the same amount.

So the fraction is 1, and times 1 keeps the size.

2.54 cm1 in = 1

Careful!

Not upside down.

Then the inches would not cross out.

Careful: not 12 in × 1 in2.54 cm ✗

3 Multiply

We multiply 12 inches by the fraction.

12 in = 12 in × 2.54 cm1 in

Inches on top and at the bottom cancel, like numbers.

Cross them out.

Centimeters are left.

What is left: 12 times 2.54.

= 12 × 2.54 cm

12 times 2.54 is 30.48.

So 12 inches is 30.48 centimeters.

= 30.48 cm

4 Check

Does it make sense?

Centimeters are smaller than inches.

So we need more of them.

30.48 is more than 12.

Yes.

cm smaller than in → more: 30.48 > 12

And back the other way: 30.48 divided by 2.54 = 12.

We get 12 inches again.

So the answer is right!

back: 30.48 ÷ 2.54 = 12

Let's look back.

First: find the link.

Then: make the unit fraction.

Then: multiply.

Last: check.

Answer