Convert Inches to Decimal Feet Calculator
Free online calculator to convert inches to decimal feet and vice versa. Easily convert between standard feet/inches and decimal feet formats for construction, engineering, and architecture projects.
Supports fractions (3 1/4) or decimals (3.25 or 3,25) in the inches field.
Need to convert decimal feet to inches? Try our decimal to inches converter.
| Inch | Decimal of a Foot |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 0.0833 |
| 2 inches | 0.167 |
| 3 inches | 0.250 |
| 4 inches | 0.333 |
| 5 inches | 0.417 |
| 6 inches | 0.500 |
| 7 inches | 0.583 |
| 8 inches | 0.667 |
| 9 inches | 0.750 |
| 10 inches | 0.833 |
| 11 inches | 0.917 |
| 12 inches | 1.000 |
To convert further, 1/8" is almost 1/100th of a foot.
| 1" | = | 0.08 |
| 1 1/8" | = | 0.09 |
| 1 1/4" | = | 0.10 |
| 1 3/8" | = | 0.11 |
| 1 1/2" | = | 0.13 |
| 1 5/8" | = | 0.14 |
| 1 3/4" | = | 0.15 |
| 1 7/8" | = | 0.16 |
| 2" | = | 0.17 |
How to Convert Inches to Decimal Feet
This online calculator helps convert between the traditional feet-and-inches measurement system and the decimal feet system widely used in engineering, construction, architecture, and technical drawings.
The formula for converting inches to decimal feet is straightforward:
Decimal Feet = Feet + (Inches ÷ 12)
Since there are 12 inches in a foot, each inch represents 1/12 (approximately 0.0833) of a foot in decimal form.
Conversion examples:
- 5 feet 6 inches = 5 + (6 ÷ 12) = 5 + 0.5 = 5.5 decimal feet
- 3 feet 9 inches = 3 + (9 ÷ 12) = 3 + 0.75 = 3.75 decimal feet
- 10 feet 4 inches = 10 + (4 ÷ 12) = 10 + 0.333 = 10.333 decimal feet
When working with fractional inches in your conversion to decimal feet:
- ¼ inch = 0.25 inches = 0.0208 decimal feet
- ½ inch = 0.5 inches = 0.0417 decimal feet
- ¾ inch = 0.75 inches = 0.0625 decimal feet
Complete conversion example with fractions:
- 5 feet 6¼ inches = 5 + (6.25 ÷ 12) = 5 + 0.5208 = 5.5208 decimal feet
Our calculator handles all these conversions automatically, saving you time and preventing calculation errors.
Converting between inches and decimal feet is essential in many professional fields:
- Construction - Modern blueprints and architectural plans typically use decimal feet for precise measurements
- Engineering - Decimal units simplify calculations and are the standard in most engineering disciplines
- Surveying - Land measurements and topographical surveys commonly use decimal feet notation
- Architecture - Architectural software and CAD programs work with decimal feet for precision and consistency
- Manufacturing - Technical specifications and product dimensions often require decimal feet
- DIY Projects - Converting to decimal feet can simplify calculations for home improvement projects
Why convert to decimal feet instead of using inches?
Decimal feet are significantly easier to work with in calculations and measurements, especially when using modern tools, calculators, or software. They eliminate the complexity of fractions and make mathematical operations more straightforward.
How do you convert inches to decimals of a foot?
To convert inches to decimal feet:
- Divide the number of inches by 12 (since there are 12 inches in a foot)
- If you have both feet and inches, keep the whole feet as is
- Add the result from step 1 to your whole feet value
For example: To convert 5 inches to decimal feet = 5 ÷ 12 = 0.4167 feet. For 2 feet 9 inches = 2 + (9 ÷ 12) = 2 + 0.75 = 2.75 feet.
Our calculator performs this conversion automatically - just enter your inches value and get the decimal feet result instantly.
How accurate is this inches to decimal feet converter?
Our converter provides conversions accurate to three decimal places, sufficient for most construction and engineering applications. For specialized applications requiring higher precision, you can calculate additional decimal places as needed.
Can I convert fractions of inches to decimal feet?
Yes, our calculator fully supports fractional inch inputs (like "3 1/4") as well as decimal inch values (like "3.25"). Both formats are automatically converted to the correct decimal feet equivalent.
Is there a quick way to estimate decimal feet from inches?
For a quick estimate, remember that 1 inch equals approximately 0.083 decimal feet, and each foot has 12 inches. For more precise measurements, use our calculator to get exact values.
Do professional builders use decimal feet or feet and inches?
Modern construction and engineering typically use decimal feet in blueprints and technical documents, while verbal communication on job sites often uses feet and inches. Our calculator helps bridge this communication gap by converting between both formats.
To convert from decimal feet back to feet and inches:
- Take the whole number portion as feet
- Multiply the decimal portion by 12 to get inches
For example:
- 5.75 decimal feet = 5 feet + (0.75 × 12) = 5 feet 9 inches
- 10.25 decimal feet = 10 feet + (0.25 × 12) = 10 feet 3 inches
- 3.33 decimal feet = 3 feet + (0.33 × 12) = 3 feet 3.96 inches ≈ 3 feet 4 inches
Our calculator performs this conversion automatically in both directions.