The size of a surfboard is usually given in feet and inches, using the basic American measurement system called the “imperial system.”
- 1 foot = 12 inches = 30.48 centimeters
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Feet are noted with an apostrophe (‘). And inches with quotation marks (“). Example: 6’8” = 6 feet 8 inches
Feet and inches to centimeters converter for surfboards
If you want to know the size of a board in centimeters, then use our free tool below!
Feel free to explore our guides on choosing your surfboard or selecting the size of your board sock.
Why are surfboard sizes given in feet and inches and not in centimeters?
Surfboard sizes are often given in feet and inches mainly because of the origin of surfing. This system has become the norm in the surf industry, influencing how board dimensions are communicated internationally, originating from the United States and Hawaii, where the imperial system is used.
Manufacturers and surfers continued to use this system to maintain global consistency, even when the sport spread to countries using the metric system.
It is interesting to note that a few other sports also use the imperial metric system abroad, notably in France. This is the case in golf, where distances on a course are often measured in yards, or in sailing, where distances at sea are frequently measured in nautical miles.
