Instantly convert flight levels, cloud bases, and aerodrome elevations between feet (ft) and meters (m).
How This Calculator Works
Altitude in global commercial aviation is predominantly referenced in feet (ft), particularly across Western nations, ICAO standard flight levels, and international airways. For example, standard cruising levels are assigned as Flight Level 350 (corresponding to 35,000 feet at standard pressure 1013.25 hPa).
However, several major airspace jurisdictions—most notably China (PRC), parts of Central Asia, and historically Russia—utilize metric altitude systems for Air Traffic Control assignments. In Chinese airspace, pilots fly Metric Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) cruise tables where ATC assigns flight levels in meters (e.g., 10,400 meters instead of 34,100 feet).
Furthermore, aerodrome meteorological reports (METARs) in Europe and Asia frequently report runway visual range (RVR) and cloud base heights in meters, requiring flight crews to convert quickly between metric and imperial dimensions during instrument approaches.
Mathematical Formula
Worked Examples
Example 1: Cruising at Flight Level 380
An airliner is flying at FL380 (38,000 feet). What is the equivalent metric altitude?
38,000 ft × 0.3048 = 11,582.40 meters
Example 2: Chinese Airspace Metric Level
China ATC clears an aircraft to cruise at 9,600 meters. What is the equivalent altitude in feet for the cockpit altimeter?
9,600 m ÷ 0.3048 = 31,496.06 feet (flown as standard metric FL9600 / 31,500 ft)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do most countries use feet for altitude instead of meters?
The post-WWII dominance of American and British aerospace manufacturing established feet as the de facto international aviation standard adopted by ICAO.
Which countries use meters for ATC altitude clearances?
Civil airspace in the People's Republic of China, Mongolia, and North Korea primarily uses metric altitudes for flight levels.
What is the exact conversion factor between feet and meters?
By international treaty, 1 foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters.
How does RVSM work in metric airspace?
Airplanes flying into Chinese airspace utilize metric RVSM conversion charts. Cockpit avionics with metric display capabilities convert assigned meter levels to corresponding feet for the autopilot.
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