Centimeters to Decimeters
Convert centimeters to decimeters instantly — one centimeter is 0.1 decimeters.
| Centimeters | Decimeters |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.1 dm |
| 2 cm | 0.2 dm |
| 3 cm | 0.3 dm |
| 5 cm | 0.5 dm |
| 10 cm | 1 dm |
| 25 cm | 2.5 dm |
| 50 cm | 5 dm |
| 100 cm | 10 dm |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Centimeters field.
- The Decimeters figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Decimeters field converts back to Centimeters the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Centimeters to Decimeters formula
Converting centimeters to decimeters is a single multiplication by 0.1.
dm = cm × 0.1
Put another way, one centimeter is exactly 1/10 of a decimeter.
Why this factor: the centimeter and the decimeter are both defined against the meter, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.1 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.1 — or use the Decimeters to Centimeters converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Take 100 cm and multiply by the factor 0.1: the result is 10 dm.
100 cm × 0.1 = 10 dm
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a centimeter?
A centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, the everyday metric unit for body and object measurements.
Definition: Exactly 0.01 meter by SI prefix definition.
Where it is used: Height, clothing sizes, rainfall, paper and screen dimensions across the metric world.
What is a decimeter?
A decimeter is one tenth of a meter — 10 centimeters.
Definition: Exactly 0.1 meter by SI prefix definition.
Where it is used: Rare in everyday speech, but it matters because a cubic decimeter is exactly one liter.
Worth knowing: The decimeter's real importance is volumetric: 1 dm³ = 1 L exactly, which is where the liter comes from.
Centimeters vs Decimeters
The centimeter and the decimeter belong to the same family of units, so converting between them is usually a matter of shifting a decimal point or applying a small whole-number factor.
Frequently asked questions
How many decimeters are in a centimeter?
One centimeter equals 0.1 decimeters.
What is the formula to convert centimeters to decimeters?
Multiply the number of centimeters by 0.1. To reverse it, divide by 0.1 instead.
How do I convert decimeters back to centimeters?
Divide by 0.1, which is the same as multiplying by 10.
How many decimeters are in 10 centimeters?
10 cm works out to 1 dm.
Is there anything to watch out for with decimeters?
The decimeter's real importance is volumetric: 1 dm³ = 1 L exactly, which is where the liter comes from.
How is the centimeter defined?
Exactly 0.01 meter by SI prefix definition.