The centimeter is a unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. It is widely used for everyday dimensions and small objects.
The prefix centi- (one hundredth, from Latin centum) was part of the original French metric system of 1795; the centimeter is one hundredth of a meter.
Measurement system: International System of Units (SI, subunit). SI equivalent: 1 cm = 0.01 m.
Centimeter facts
- Unit name
- Centimeter
- Symbol
- cm
- Category
- Length
- Measurement system
- International System of Units (SI, subunit)
- SI equivalent
- 1 cm = 0.01 m
- Common uses
- Furniture, clothing, anthropometry and daily measurements
Definition of the centimeter
The centimeter is a unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. It is widely used for everyday dimensions and small objects.
Measurement system and SI relationship
International System of Units (SI, subunit)
SI equivalent: 1 cm = 0.01 m
History of the centimeter
The prefix centi- (one hundredth, from Latin centum) was part of the original French metric system of 1795; the centimeter is one hundredth of a meter.
Where is the centimeter used?
Furniture, clothing, anthropometry and daily measurements