Feet / Metres Converter
This feet to metres converter changes feet to metres and metres to feet.
The result updates as you type or change units.
For general informational use. Verify critical aviation calculations and weather with an authoritative source.
Related guides
- Flight Levels Explained: how altitudes and flight levels are expressed and why feet dominate in aviation
- The International Standard Atmosphere: standard heights and pressures in feet and metres
Common aviation heights in feet and metres
1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly. Most of the world flies altitudes in feet, but some countries use metric levels and many publish obstacle and terrain heights in metres.
| Feet | Metres | Where you meet it |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 152 | Minimum height rules away from congested areas in many countries |
| 1,000 | 305 | Typical circuit height; standard vertical separation |
| 1,500 | 457 | Circuit height for faster aircraft |
| 3,000 | 914 | Common transition altitude |
| 5,000 | 1,524 | CAVOK cloud reference height |
| 10,000 | 3,048 | Speed limit and oxygen thresholds in many rules |
| 35,000 (FL350) | 10,668 | Typical jet cruising level |
| 41,000 (FL410) | 12,497 | Upper limit of RVSM airspace |
Metres to feet
| Metres | Feet |
|---|---|
| 300 | 984 |
| 600 | 1,969 |
| 900 | 2,953 |
| 1,500 | 4,921 |
| 3,000 | 9,843 |
| 10,000 | 32,808 |
Quick mental check: metres × 3.3 ≈ feet, and feet × 0.3 ≈ metres. Use the converter for anything you will fly.
Convert feet and metres for altitude, elevation and distance
Feet remain common for altitude and elevation in aviation, while metres are common in many engineering, mapping and everyday contexts. This tool converts in both directions and is useful when reading airport elevations, obstacle information, aircraft performance material or general height measurements.
How to use it
- Enter the height or distance.
- Choose feet or metres as the starting unit.
- Choose the destination unit.
- Use the displayed unit abbreviation to confirm the direction of the conversion.
Method and calculation
One international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 metre. Feet to metres therefore multiplies by 0.3048, while metres to feet divides by 0.3048.
Worked example and practical notes
1,000 feet equals 304.8 metres. A 3,000-metre altitude is approximately 9,842.52 feet before any operational rounding.
For safety-critical aviation calculations, follow the units, rounding and procedures in the approved source you are using.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many metres are in one foot?
One international foot is exactly 0.3048 metres.
How many feet are in one metre?
One metre is approximately 3.28084 feet.
Why are feet common in aviation?
Altitude and elevation are commonly expressed in feet in many aviation systems and procedures.
Can I use decimals?
Yes. The converter accepts decimal values in either direction.