This common length unit equals 10 millimetres or 0.3937 inches. It forms the foundation of the CGS (centimetre-gram-second) system of units and is universally used in general measurements, textiles, and everyday commerce. In precision engineering and manufacturing, however, it is almost entirely bypassed in favour of the millimetre to avoid decimal fractions.
Heard on the job
The clearance is too tight, we need at least two centimetres of gap before welding.
Insider tip
Engineers and draftsmen rarely use centimetres, preferring millimetres to ensure absolute precision without using decimal points.