A centimeter (cm) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one-hundredth of a meter. It is commonly used to measure shorter distances, such as the height of a person or the dimensions of an object. The metric system is widely used around the world, making centimeters a standard unit for many applications. Centimeters are often used in everyday situations, such as measuring fabric for sewing or determining the size of furniture. One centimeter is approximately equal to 0.39 inches, which helps people who are more familiar with the imperial system understand its size.