How it works
Since a foot is 12 inches, converting a feet-and-inches height to total inches means multiplying the feet by 12 and adding the loose inches.
total inches = feet × 12 + inches
cm = total inches × 2.54
cm = total inches × 2.54
Worked example
5 ft 10 in is 5 × 12 + 10 = 70 inches, or 177.8 cm.