Convert millimeters to centimeters

1 mm=0.1cm

Use the converter below to change any millimeters value into centimeters instantly — with formula, conversion table, and real-world examples.

You have

Equals

0.1

Conversion formula

Forward

centimeters = millimeters × 0.1

Reverse

millimeters = centimeters × 10

Example: 10 mm × 0.1 = 1 cm.

About both units

From

Millimeter

The millimeter equals one thousandth of a meter and is essential in precision engineering, manufacturing and rainfall measurement. A 10-millimetre rainfall is a moderate shower; over 50 mm in a day is classified as heavy. Machined parts, screws and PCB dimensions are all given in mm.

Real-world: A 2 euro coin is 25.75 mm across and 2.2 mm thick. Rainfall of 50 mm in 24 h is a red-warning event in most of Europe.

Read full millimeter reference →

Centimeter

The centimeter equals one hundredth of a meter and is the everyday metric unit for body measurements, clothing sizes and furniture. European clothing tags, height on ID documents and household rulers are all marked in cm. An A4 sheet is 21 × 29.7 cm.

Real-world: An average adult is 160–185 cm tall. An A4 sheet is 21 × 29.7 cm. A standard passport photo is 3.5 × 4.5 cm.

Read full centimeter reference →

Millimeter to Centimeter conversion table

Common millimeters to centimeters values for quick reference.

Millimeter (mm)	Centimeter (cm)
1 mm	0.1 cm
5 mm	0.5 cm
10 mm	1 cm
25 mm	2.5 cm
50 mm	5 cm
100 mm	10 cm
250 mm	25 cm
500 mm	50 cm
1,000 mm	100 cm
5,000 mm	500 cm

Tips & common mistakes

Quick tips

1 mm is the smallest graduation on a standard ruler. 10 mm = 1 cm exactly.
Rainfall in mm is depth — 25 mm of rain over 1 m² equals 25 litres of water.
For very small measurements switch to micrometres (µm) — 1 mm = 1000 µm.

Avoid these

Reading an engineering drawing dimensioned in mm as if it were cm — a factor-of-10 error.
Using 25 instead of 25.4 when converting mm to inches — the error matters in CNC machining.
Confusing millimetre (length) with millilitre (volume) — both abbreviated with "ml" but on different scales.

Frequently asked questions

How many centimeters in a millimeter?

One millimeter equals 0.1 centimeters.

How do I convert millimeters to centimeters?

Multiply the millimeter value by 0.1 to get the equivalent in centimeters.

What is 100 millimeters in centimeters?

100 millimeters equals 10 centimeters.

Is a millimeter bigger than a centimeter?

No. 1 millimeter equals 0.1 centimeters, so one millimeter is smaller.

How to convert millimeters to centimeters without a calculator?

Multiply by 0.1 for a quick estimate; use a calculator for precise results.

Related length conversions

📊 See full comparison matrix →

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