Convert cm to mm
Please provide values below to convert centimeter [cm] to millimeter [mm], or vice versa.
Centimeter
Definition: A centimeter (symbol: cm) is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), the current form of the metric system. It is defined as 1/100 meters.
History/origin: A centimeter is based on the SI unit meter, and as the prefix "centi" indicates, is equal to one hundredth of a meter. Metric prefixes range from factors of 10⁻¹⁸ to 10¹⁸ based on a decimal system, with the base (in this case the meter) having no prefix and having a factor of 1. Learning some of the more commonly used metric prefixes, such as kilo-, mega-, giga-, tera-, centi-, milli-, micro-, and nano-, can be helpful for quickly navigating metric units.
Current use: The centimeter, like the meter, is used in all sorts of applications worldwide (in countries that have undergone metrication) in instances where a smaller denomination of the meter is required. Height is commonly measured in centimeters outside of countries like the United States.
Millimeter
Definition: A millimeter (symbol: mm) is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as 1/1000 meters, which means it is 1/10 of a centimeter.
History/origin: The millimeter is based on the SI unit meter, and as the prefix "milli" indicates, is equal to one thousandth of a meter. The development of the millimeter as a unit of measurement is part of the broader development of the metric system during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. The metric system was designed to provide a decimal-based, coherent system of units that could be universally adopted.
Current use: The millimeter is widely used around the world for precise measurements in fields such as engineering, manufacturing, and construction. It is commonly used to measure small dimensions and thicknesses, such as the thickness of paper, glass, and other materials. In medicine, millimeters are used for measuring anatomical structures and medical devices. In meteorology, precipitation (rainfall) is often measured in millimeters.