Inches to Decimal Feet Conversion Chart

Mark a stud layout at 16 inches on center. The tape reads 16 inches. Your spreadsheet wants 1.333 feet. Divide inches by 12. A 16-inch layout equals 1.3333 decimal feet. Use the chart below for every fractional inch from 1/64 to 12 inches, the formula to reverse it back to feet and inches, and the spreadsheet functions to do it without rounding errors.

The formula is decimal feet = inches ÷ 12. 1 inch is 0.08333 feet. 12 inches is 1.0 feet. Every value in the chart is computed that way, rounded to five decimal places. Verify any value yourself by dividing the inch value by 12.

Inches to Decimal Feet Chart: 0 to 12 Inches in 1/16 Steps

The chart below gives decimal feet for every inch and every common fraction from 1/16 through 12 inches. Each value is inches divided by 12, rounded to five decimal places. 1/2 inch is 0.04167 feet. 1/4 inch is 0.02083 feet. 1/8 inch is 0.01042 feet. 1/16 inch is 0.00521 feet. These are exact decimals you can use in any spreadsheet or takeoff.

0 inches: 0.00000 ft

1/16 inch: 0.00521 ft

1/8 inch: 0.01042 ft

3/16 inch: 0.01562 ft

1/4 inch: 0.02083 ft

5/16 inch: 0.02604 ft

3/8 inch: 0.03125 ft

7/16 inch: 0.03646 ft

1/2 inch: 0.04167 ft

9/16 inch: 0.04688 ft

5/8 inch: 0.05208 ft

11/16 inch: 0.05729 ft

3/4 inch: 0.06250 ft

13/16 inch: 0.06771 ft

7/8 inch: 0.07292 ft

15/16 inch: 0.07813 ft

1 inch: 0.08333 ft

2 inches: 0.16667 ft

3 inches: 0.25000 ft

4 inches: 0.33333 ft

5 inches: 0.41667 ft

6 inches: 0.50000 ft

7 inches: 0.58333 ft

8 inches: 0.66667 ft

9 inches: 0.75000 ft

10 inches: 0.83333 ft

11 inches: 0.91667 ft

12 inches: 1.00000 ft

Decimal Feet Back to Feet and Inches

To convert decimal feet back to feet and inches, multiply the fractional part by 12. For 5.95833 feet: the integer part is 5 feet. The fractional part is 0.95833. Multiply by 12: 0.95833 × 12 = 11.5 inches. That is 5 feet 11.5 inches, or 5 feet 11-1/2 inches. The confusion pair here is mixing fractions and decimals: 0.5 feet is 6 inches, not 5 inches. Always multiply by 12, never by 10.

For a measurement like 5.95833 feet, the exact total inches are 71.5 inches. Check: 5 feet × 12 = 60 inches, plus 11.5 inches = 71.5 inches. That matches the decimal feet calculation: 5.95833 × 12 = 71.5 inches.

Doing It In Excel Or Google Sheets

To convert inches to decimal feet in Excel or Google Sheets, use the formula =A1/12 where A1 contains the inch value. For a measurement in feet and inches, first convert to total inches. For 5 feet 11.5 inches, put 5 in A1 and 11.5 in B1, then use =A1*12+B1 for total inches, then divide by 12.

To convert decimal feet back to feet and inches, use the INT and MOD functions. For a decimal feet value in cell C1, the whole feet are =INT(C1). The remaining inches are =ROUND(MOD(C1,1)*12,2). MOD(C1,1) extracts the fractional part, multiplying by 12 converts to inches, and ROUND keeps it to two decimal places.

Worked example: C1 = 5.95833. INT(C1) = 5. MOD(C1,1) = 0.95833. 0.95833 x 12 = 11.5. ROUND(11.5,2) = 11.5. Result: 5 feet 11.5 inches. The failure mode is rounding too early: if you ROUND the MOD result before multiplying by 12, you lose precision.

Common Questions

How do I convert 5 feet 11-1/2 inches to decimal feet for a spreadsheet without rounding error?

Convert everything to total inches: 5 feet x 12 = 60 inches, plus 11.5 inches = 71.5 inches. Divide by 12: 71.5 / 12 = 5.95833 feet. Use that exact decimal in your spreadsheet. Do not round to 5.96 feet; the error compounds in long runs.

What is the difference between the international foot and the U.S. survey foot?

The international foot is 25.4 mm per inch exactly. The U.S. survey foot was 1/1,000,000 longer. The survey foot was retired in 2023. All new work uses the international foot. The difference matters only in large land surveys, not in construction or DIY.

How do I account for kerf when cutting a 96-inch piece into four equal pieces?

A typical circular saw kerf is 0.125 inch. For four pieces, you make three cuts, removing 3 x 0.125 = 0.375 inch of material. The usable length is 96 - 0.375 = 95.625 inches. Each piece is 95.625 / 4 = 23.906 inches. Convert that to decimal feet: 23.906 / 12 = 1.992 feet.

Why is my decimal feet conversion off by 0.01 or more?

You are likely mixing fractions and decimals. 1/2 inch is 0.5 inches, but 1/2 foot is 6 inches. Always convert the inch value to decimal inches first, then divide by 12. Rounding early is another common failure: 5 feet 11.5 inches is 5.95833 feet, not 5.96 feet.

How do I convert a fraction like 7/16 inch to decimal without a calculator?

Divide the numerator by the denominator. 7 divided by 16 is 0.4375. That is 0.4375 inches. Then divide by 12 for decimal feet: 0.4375 / 12 = 0.03646 feet. The chart above gives that value for 7/16 inch.

What is the difference between a 1/16-inch and a 1/32-inch tape measure for framing?

For stud layout at 16 inches on center, a 1/16-inch tape is sufficient. The tolerance for stud spacing per the IRC is +/- 1/8 inch. A 1/32-inch tape gives finer resolution but the framing itself will not be that precise due to bowed studs and cumulative layout error. Use a 1/16-inch tape for framing and a 1/32-inch tape for finish work.

How do I verify my calculator's output by hand?

Take the decimal feet output and multiply by 12 to get total inches. Compare to the original measurement in total inches. For 5.95833 feet: 5.95833 x 12 = 71.5 inches. If your original was 71.5 inches, the conversion is correct. If the product is off by more than 0.01 inches, you have a rounding error.