Quick Answer Box
5 feet 8 inches = 68 inches
- Decimal format: 68.0 inches
- Feet + inches format: 5′ 8″
- In centimeters: 172.72 cm
- Formula used: (5 × 12) + 8 = 68 inches
What is 5’8 in Inches?
5 feet 8 inches equals exactly 68 inches. This is a height measurement that falls within the imperial system, commonly used in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries. People most often look up this conversion when filling out forms that ask for height in total inches, comparing heights across measurement systems, or shopping for clothing and furniture sized in inches. It is one of the most common adult heights worldwide, making this a very practical conversion to know.
How to Convert 5 Feet 8 Inches to Inches
Converting feet and inches to total inches is simple. Every foot contains 12 inches, so you multiply the feet by 12 and then add the leftover inches.
Step-by-step calculation:
- Take the feet value: 5 feet
- Multiply by 12: 5 × 12 = 60 inches
- Add the remaining inches: 60 + 8 = 68 inches
Formula:
(Feet × 12) + Inches = Total Inches (5 × 12) + 8 = 68 inches
Reverse method — dividing back to feet:
68 ÷ 12 = 5.666… feet = 5 feet and 8 inches ✓
Both methods confirm the same result: 5′8″ = 68 inches.
Real-World Examples: What Does 5’8″ Look Like?
- A Common Adult Height
5 feet 8 inches (68 inches) is right at the average male height in many countries, including the United States. If you picture an average-height man standing next to you, that’s approximately what 68 inches looks like in real life.
- A Standard Interior Door
Most interior residential doors in the US are 80 inches tall. A person who is 68 inches (5′8″) tall would clear the top of the door frame by about 12 inches — roughly one full foot of clearance.
- A Full-Size Guitar
A standard full-size acoustic or electric guitar is around 38–40 inches long. Stack nearly two guitars end to end and you get close to 68 inches.
- An Average Sofa Length
A typical two-seater sofa runs between 60 and 72 inches wide. A person who is 5′8″ could almost lie flat across a standard loveseat, with feet just touching the armrest.
- A Basketball Hoop Reference
An NBA regulation basketball hoop sits at 120 inches (10 feet) off the ground. A player standing at 68 inches (5′8″) would need to jump or reach up 52 inches — about 4 feet 4 inches — to touch the rim.
- Clothing & Fashion Context
In ready-to-wear clothing, 5′8″ is considered a “medium” or “standard” model height for menswear. Many department store shirts, trousers, and jackets are cut with this height range as the baseline, so shopping off-the-rack is generally straightforward at this height.
Practical Use Cases
- DIY & Home Improvement
When planning shelving, cabinetry, or hanging artwork, knowing your height in total inches helps. At 68 inches, eye level is roughly 62–63 inches from the floor. This is a key measurement for positioning mirrors, TV mounts, and wall art. Builders also use total-inch values rather than feet-and-inches when calculating cut lengths for lumber or pipe, so knowing 5′8″ = 68 inches saves time and prevents errors on the job site.
- Fashion & Clothing / Shopping
Online clothing retailers, especially international ones, often list inseam lengths, sleeve lengths, and height fit guides in total inches. A shopper who is 5′8″ needs roughly a 30–32 inch inseam for trousers. Knowing your height equals 68 inches helps you use size guides from US, UK, and European brands more accurately, reducing returns and sizing mismatches. It also helps when ordering custom-tailored garments online.
- School, Science & Math
Students and teachers frequently convert between feet-and-inches and total inches in math and science classes. A common textbook problem might ask: “A student is 5 feet 8 inches tall. How many inches is that?” The answer — 68 inches — demonstrates the formula (feet × 12) + inches in action. This type of problem also appears on standardized tests and in physics labs when calculating ratios, proportions, or unit conversions.
Nearby Conversions Table
| Height (ft & in) | Total Inches | Decimal Feet | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′ 3″ | 63 inches | 5.25 ft | 160.02 cm |
| 5′ 4″ | 64 inches | 5.33 ft | 162.56 cm |
| 5′ 5″ | 65 inches | 5.42 ft | 165.10 cm |
| 5′ 6″ | 66 inches | 5.50 ft | 167.64 cm |
| 5′ 7″ | 67 inches | 5.58 ft | 170.18 cm |
| 5′ 8″ | 68 inches | 5.67 ft | 172.72 cm |
| 5′ 9″ | 69 inches | 5.75 ft | 175.26 cm |
| 5′ 10″ | 70 inches | 5.83 ft | 177.80 cm |
| 5′ 11″ | 71 inches | 5.92 ft | 180.34 cm |
| 6′ 0″ | 72 inches | 6.00 ft | 182.88 cm |
| 6′ 1″ | 73 inches | 6.08 ft | 185.42 cm |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many inches is 5 feet 8 inches? A: 5 feet 8 inches is 68 inches in total. You get this by multiplying 5 by 12 (= 60) and adding 8, giving you 68 inches.
Q: What is 5’8″ as a fraction or mixed number in feet? A: 5 feet 8 inches equals 5 and 2/3 feet (since 8 inches is 8/12 = 2/3 of a foot). In decimal form, that is 5.667 feet.
Q: How do I convert 5’8″ to centimeters? A: First convert to total inches (68 inches), then multiply by 2.54 (the number of centimeters per inch). 68 × 2.54 = 172.72 centimeters. So 5′8″ = 172.72 cm.
Q: How do I convert 68 inches back to feet and inches? A: Divide 68 by 12. You get 5 with a remainder of 8. That means 68 inches = 5 feet and 8 inches. The remainder (8) is your leftover inches after dividing.
Q: Is 5’8″ tall, short, or average? A: For adult males in the United States, 5′8″ (68 inches) is slightly below the national average of about 5′9″. For adult females, it is above average. Globally, 5′8″ sits comfortably in the “average to slightly above average” range for men, depending on the country.
Q: What everyday object is about 68 inches tall? A: A standard refrigerator is typically 65–70 inches tall, making it almost exactly the same height as a person who is 5′8″. Many tall kitchen appliances and full-length mirrors are designed around this common human height range.
Tips for Converting Feet and Inches to Inches
- Mental math trick: Remember that 1 foot = 12 inches. For any height in feet, just multiply the feet by 12 and add the extra inches. For 5′8″: 5 × 12 = 60, then 60 + 8 = 68. Fast and reliable.
- Use decimals for math, fractions for readability: When doing calculations (like finding centimeters), use the decimal form — 68 inches. When communicating to people, the feet-and-inches format (5′8″) is more intuitive and easier to visualize.
- Common mistake to avoid: Don’t forget to add the remaining inches after multiplying. A frequent error is calculating 5 × 12 = 60 and stopping there — missing the +8 that brings you to 68.
- Reverse check: Always verify by dividing your answer back. 68 ÷ 12 = 5.667, which equals 5 feet and 0.667 × 12 = 8 inches. If you get back to 5′8″, your conversion is correct.
- Use an online calculator for precision: For conversions involving centimeters, meters, or millimeters, a free online unit converter ensures you don’t make rounding errors — especially useful when buying clothing from international retailers or filling out official forms.
Conclusion
5 feet 8 inches equals 68 inches — a quick, clean conversion using the simple formula (5 × 12) + 8. Whether you need this for a clothing purchase, a home project, a school assignment, or a medical form, you now have the exact number, the formula, and the real-world context to use it confidently. Bookmark this page for quick reference the next time you need to convert a height measured in feet and inches to total inches.
