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To convert feet to inches, multiply by 12. There are exactly 12 inches in one foot — a ratio unchanged since medieval England. So 5 ft = 60 inches, 5.5 ft = 66 inches, and 6 ft = 72 inches. This makes it one of the simplest imperial conversions: multiply by 12, no decimals in the factor.
Height is nearly always expressed in feet and inches in the US: "He's 6 foot 2" means 6 × 12 + 2 = 74 inches total. Carpentry and construction plans switch between feet for room-scale measurements and inches for detailed millwork, molding, and trim dimensions.
Did you know? The 12-inch foot has roots in ancient Rome (12 unciae per pes) and possibly in Mesopotamia. Twelve was preferred for its divisibility — it divides evenly by 2, 3, 4, and 6 — making it easier to split a foot into thirds and quarters without fractions.
Height charts in US schools, gyms, and medical offices use feet and inches; but weight-loss apps often ask for total height in inches. Woodworking plans give overall dimensions in feet, then switch to inches for joints, dadoes, and rabbet depths. Curtain and blind dimensions mix feet for overall length and inches for the rod width.