# Centimeters to Thou (cm to thou)

Source: https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/length/centimeters-to-thou/

**1 cm = 393.70078740157 thou**

One centimeter equals approximately 393.7 thou (mils). Since 1 cm = 0.3937 inches and 1 inch = 1,000 thou, multiply 0.3937 by 1,000. This conversion bridges the metric measurement system with the American precision engineering unit.

## Formula

Convert Centimeters to Thou

## Conversion Table

| Centimeters (cm) | Thou (thou) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 cm | 3.9370078740157 thou |
| 0.05 cm | 19.685039370079 thou |
| 0.1 cm | 39.370078740157 thou |
| 0.5 cm | 196.85039370079 thou |
| 1 cm | 393.70078740157 thou |
| 2 cm | 787.40157480315 thou |
| 5 cm | 1968.5039370079 thou |
| 10 cm | 3937.0078740157 thou |
| 30 cm | 11811.023622047 thou |
| 50 cm | 19685.039370079 thou |
| 100 cm | 39370.078740157 thou |
| 500 cm | 196850.39370079 thou |
| 1000 cm | 393700.78740157 thou |

## Units

### Centimeter (cm)

A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. Commonly used for body height, clothing sizes, and everyday measurements.

### Thou (thou)

One thousandth of an inch (0.0254 mm). Also called a mil in the US. Used in engineering, manufacturing, and for measuring thin materials like plastic film.

## Background

A centimeter is about 394 thou. A human hair at 0.0075 cm is about 3 thou. A sheet of paper at 0.01 cm is about 4 thou. In manufacturing where metric and American specifications coexist, converting between centimeters (or millimeters) and thou is daily work.

## Good to Know

The thou was invented because American engineers needed sub-inch precision without going metric. The centimeter already provided that precision to the rest of the world. Two solutions to the same problem, separated by an ocean and a stubborn preference.

## FAQ

### How many thou are in 1 centimeter?

One centimeter contains approximately 393.7 thou. Since 1 cm = 10 mm and 1 mm = 39.37 thou.

### How do I convert cm to thou?

Multiply centimeters by 393.7. For example, 2.54 cm (1 inch) = exactly 1,000 thou.

### When is this conversion needed?

In manufacturing where metric product dimensions (cm/mm) must be compared with American tolerance specifications (thou/mils).

## Non-Frequently Asked Questions

### Is a thou a thing you can actually see?

Barely. One thou is 0.0254 mm or 25.4 micrometers. A human hair is about 3 thou thick. You can see a hair, so you can sort of see a thou - if you squint. It is at the edge of human visual perception.

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## See Also

- [Thou to Centimeters](https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/length/thou-to-centimeters/)