1 millimeter equals 0.1 centimeters. To convert millimeters to centimeters, multiply the millimeter value by 0.1. For quick reference: 1 mm = 0.1 cm, 5 mm = 0.5 cm, 10 mm = 1 cm, 100 mm = 10 cm.
FormulaCentimeters = Millimeters × 0.1
Quick
How to convert millimeters to centimeters
1
Take your value
Start with your value in millimeters.
2
Multiply by 0.1
Multiply the millimeter value by 0.1. This is the exact conversion factor from millimeters to centimeters.
3
Read the result
The product is your value in centimeters. For example, 5 mm × 0.1 = 0.5 cm.
Conversion formula
The exact factor from millimeters to centimeters is 0.1.
Centimeters = Millimeters × 0.1
Millimeters to Centimeters conversion table
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
Conversion table from millimeters to centimeters
Millimeters (mm)
Centimeters (cm)
0.1 mm
0.01 cm
0.25 mm
0.025 cm
0.5 mm
0.05 cm
1 mm
0.1 cm
2 mm
0.2 cm
3 mm
0.3 cm
4 mm
0.4 cm
5 mm
0.5 cm
6 mm
0.6 cm
7 mm
0.7 cm
8 mm
0.8 cm
9 mm
0.9 cm
10 mm
1 cm
11 mm
1.1 cm
12 mm
1.2 cm
13 mm
1.3 cm
14 mm
1.4 cm
15 mm
1.5 cm
16 mm
1.6 cm
18 mm
1.8 cm
20 mm
2 cm
22 mm
2.2 cm
24 mm
2.4 cm
25 mm
2.5 cm
28 mm
2.8 cm
30 mm
3 cm
32 mm
3.2 cm
36 mm
3.6 cm
40 mm
4 cm
45 mm
4.5 cm
48 mm
4.8 cm
50 mm
5 cm
60 mm
6 cm
70 mm
7 cm
75 mm
7.5 cm
80 mm
8 cm
90 mm
9 cm
100 mm
10 cm
125 mm
12.5 cm
150 mm
15 cm
200 mm
20 cm
250 mm
25 cm
300 mm
30 cm
400 mm
40 cm
500 mm
50 cm
600 mm
60 cm
750 mm
75 cm
800 mm
80 cm
900 mm
90 cm
1000 mm
100 cm
Real-world reference
A credit card is about 0.76 mm thick. Standard A4 paper is 0.1 mm thick. A pencil lead is around 2 mm in diameter. In centimeters, that gives you: 1 mm = 0.1 cm, 10 mm = 1 cm, 100 mm = 10 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How many centimeters are in 1 millimeter?
1 millimeter equals 0.1 centimeters.
How do I convert millimeters to centimeters?
Multiply the millimeter value by 0.1. So x mm × 0.1 = the equivalent in cm.
What is 5 millimeters in centimeters?
5 millimeters equals 0.5 centimeters.
What is 10 millimeters in centimeters?
10 millimeters equals 1 centimeters.
What is 100 millimeters in centimeters?
100 millimeters equals 10 centimeters.
How do I convert back from centimeters to millimeters?
Multiply the centimeter value by 10. For example, 1 cm = 10 mm.
Is the millimeter bigger than the centimeter?
No. 1 millimeter is smaller than 1 centimeter. It takes 10 millimeters to equal 1 centimeter.
Are these conversion factors exact?
Yes. The factor of 0.1 is derived directly from the SI definitions of millimeter and centimeter.
About the millimeter and the centimeter
The millimeter
The millimeter (mm) is a metric unit of length equal to one-thousandth of a meter. It is the working unit of engineering drawings, precision manufacturing, electronics, and most consumer-goods specifications outside the United States. A credit card is about 0.76 mm thick; the diameter of a pencil lead is around 2 mm.
The centimeter
The centimeter (cm) is a metric unit of length equal to one-hundredth of a meter. It is the most common everyday unit outside the US for measuring small to mid-sized objects, body dimensions like height when stated in metric, fabric, and TV diagonals. A US quarter coin is about 2.4 cm wide; an average adult thumb is around 6 cm long.