A decimetre is a tenth of a metre (10 cm). It is rarely used for length on its own, but a cubic decimetre is exactly one litre, which makes it handy for volume problems.
How to use the Decimeter Converter
- Pick the unit you are starting from in the From menu and type your value.
- Pick the unit you want in the To menu. The heading changes to match – for example “Decimeters to Meters Converter”.
- The most common length units are shown below at the same time, so you can compare them at a glance.
- Type into any result to convert backwards, then use Copy results – the copied text starts with the heading for your chosen units.
Results update as you type. Everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Every length unit is defined by an exact factor relative to the metre (the base unit). The calculator first turns the value you type into metres, then turns that into the unit you picked in the “To” menu and into each of the common units below it. This two-step method means any unit can be converted to any other – 27 units are available in each menu – and you can type into any field, including a result, to work in the other direction. Changing a unit menu keeps the quantity the same and just re-expresses it, and the page heading and copied results follow your choice.
How to convert length units
- Choose the unit you have in the From menu and type the value, for example 1 dm.
- Choose the unit you want in the To menu, for example metres. The page heading changes to “Decimeters to Meters Converter”.
- The calculator multiplies by the metre factor of the “from” unit and divides by the factor of the “to” unit: 1 dm × 0.1 ÷ 1 = 0.1 m.
1 decimetre in common units
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Metres (m) | 0.1 |
| Centimetres (cm) | 10 |
| Millimetres (mm) | 100 |
| Inches (in) | 3.9370079 |
| Feet (ft) | 0.32808399 |
Decimetres conversion table
| Decimetres | m | cm | mm | in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.1 | 10 | 100 | 3.9370079 |
| 2 | 0.2 | 20 | 200 | 7.8740157 |
| 5 | 0.5 | 50 | 500 | 19.685039 |
| 10 | 1 | 100 | 1,000 | 39.370079 |
| 100 | 10 | 1,000 | 10,000 | 393.70079 |
What is a decimetre?
A decimetre is one tenth of a metre (10 cm). It is rarely used for length on its own, but one cubic decimetre is exactly one litre.
What is a metre?
The metre is the SI base unit of length. Since 1983 it has been defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second, which ties it to a fundamental constant rather than a physical bar of metal.
What is a centimetre?
A centimetre is one hundredth of a metre (10 mm). It is the everyday metric unit for body height, clothing, furniture and school rulers.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mixing the international foot (0.3048 m) with the old u.s. survey foot, confusing nautical and statute miles, and writing decimal feet such as 5.5 ft as “5 ft 5 in” (it is 5 ft 6 in).
Formula
1 dm = 0.1 m1 dm = 10 cm1 dm = 100 mm1 dm = 3.9370079 in1 dm = 0.32808399 ftWorked example
Inputs — From: 1 dm.
Results — To = 0.1 m; Centimetres = 10 cm; Millimetres = 100 mm; Inches = 3.93700787 in; Feet = 0.32808399 ft.
Frequently asked questions
How many cm in a decimetre?
10.
How many inches is 1 dm?
About 3.937 in.
Why does a litre equal a cubic decimetre?
The litre was defined as the volume of a 10 cm cube.
How do I change the units?
Pick any unit in the From and To menus. The value is converted in place, and the heading changes to show your conversion, for example “Decimeters to Meters Converter”.
Can I type into any field?
Yes. Every field is editable, so you can start from whichever unit you have.
How many units can I convert between?
27 length units, from the everyday to the specialised.
Which units are exact?
All factors here are exact by definition except astronomical and similar reference values, which use internationally agreed constants.
What formula does the Decimeter Converter use?
1 dm = 0.1 m.