1 centimeter equals 10 millimeters. To convert centimeters to millimeters, multiply the centimeter value by 10. For quick reference: 1 cm = 10 mm, 5 cm = 50 mm, 10 cm = 100 mm, 100 cm = 1000 mm.
FormulaMillimeters = Centimeters × 10
Quick
How to convert centimeters to millimeters
1
Take your value
Start with your value in centimeters.
2
Multiply by 10
Multiply the centimeter value by 10. This is the exact conversion factor from centimeters to millimeters.
3
Read the result
The product is your value in millimeters. For example, 5 cm × 10 = 50 mm.
Conversion formula
The exact factor from centimeters to millimeters is 10.
Millimeters = Centimeters × 10
Centimeters to Millimeters conversion table
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
Conversion table from centimeters to millimeters
Centimeters (cm)
Millimeters (mm)
0.1 cm
1 mm
0.25 cm
2.5 mm
0.5 cm
5 mm
1 cm
10 mm
2 cm
20 mm
3 cm
30 mm
4 cm
40 mm
5 cm
50 mm
6 cm
60 mm
7 cm
70 mm
8 cm
80 mm
9 cm
90 mm
10 cm
100 mm
11 cm
110 mm
12 cm
120 mm
13 cm
130 mm
14 cm
140 mm
15 cm
150 mm
16 cm
160 mm
18 cm
180 mm
20 cm
200 mm
22 cm
220 mm
24 cm
240 mm
25 cm
250 mm
28 cm
280 mm
30 cm
300 mm
32 cm
320 mm
36 cm
360 mm
40 cm
400 mm
45 cm
450 mm
48 cm
480 mm
50 cm
500 mm
60 cm
600 mm
70 cm
700 mm
75 cm
750 mm
80 cm
800 mm
90 cm
900 mm
100 cm
1000 mm
125 cm
1250 mm
150 cm
1500 mm
200 cm
2000 mm
250 cm
2500 mm
300 cm
3000 mm
400 cm
4000 mm
500 cm
5000 mm
600 cm
6000 mm
750 cm
7500 mm
800 cm
8000 mm
900 cm
9000 mm
1000 cm
10000 mm
Real-world reference
A US quarter is about 2.4 cm wide. An adult thumb is around 6 cm long. A typical smartphone is 14–16 cm tall. In millimeters, that gives you: 1 cm = 10 mm, 10 cm = 100 mm, 100 cm = 1000 mm.
Frequently asked questions
How many millimeters are in 1 centimeter?
1 centimeter equals 10 millimeters.
How do I convert centimeters to millimeters?
Multiply the centimeter value by 10. So x cm × 10 = the equivalent in mm.
What is 5 centimeters in millimeters?
5 centimeters equals 50 millimeters.
What is 10 centimeters in millimeters?
10 centimeters equals 100 millimeters.
What is 100 centimeters in millimeters?
100 centimeters equals 1000 millimeters.
How do I convert back from millimeters to centimeters?
Multiply the millimeter value by 0.1. For example, 1 mm = 0.1 cm.
Is the centimeter bigger than the millimeter?
Yes. 1 centimeter is larger than 1 millimeter — specifically 10 times larger.
Are these conversion factors exact?
Yes. The factor of 10 is derived directly from the SI definitions of centimeter and millimeter.
About the centimeter and the millimeter
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.
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.