How to Write Feet and Inches: Symbols, Abbreviations and Height Examples
By Admin · August 31, 2026
Use 5'2" for everyday typing, 5′ 2″ for typographic precision, or 5 ft 2 in when clarity matters most.
5 feet 2 inches has several correct written forms.
For a height, write 5'2" in everyday digital writing, 5′ 2″ when using the precise measurement marks, or 5 ft 2 in in forms, technical notes, and writing where readers may need extra clarity.
everyday typing
typographically precise
extra clear
Feet and inches formatter
Enter a whole-number height to see four readable ways to write it. Inches from 12 upward are automatically converted into additional feet.
What are the feet and inches symbols?
The single mark after a number represents feet; the double mark represents inches. In ordinary typing, apostrophes and quotation marks are widely understood substitutes.
| Unit | Symbol or abbreviation | Example and use |
|---|---|---|
| Foot / feet | ′ or ft | 5′ or 5 ft. Use ft when a plain, unmistakable abbreviation is helpful. |
| Inch / inches | ″ or in | 2″ or 2 in. Use in without a period unless a required style guide says otherwise. |
| Everyday keyboard form | ' and " | 5'2" is common in profiles, messages, and forms, even though the marks are not technically primes. |
Write height for the setting you are in
There is no single format that is mandatory everywhere. Choose the version that is clearest for your audience, then use it consistently throughout the document.
Forms, profiles, and casual writing
Write 5'2" when the field is clearly asking for height. It is compact, familiar, and quick to type.
Reports, instructions, and technical notes
Write 5 ft 2 in or 5 feet 2 inches when readers could mistake the symbols or when a style guide asks for words.
Height in a sentence
Example: “She is 5 ft 2 in tall.” Or: “She is five feet two inches tall.” Avoid 5.2 feet when you mean 5 feet 2 inches; they are different measurements.
Apostrophes, quotation marks, primes and double primes
You do not need to memorize typographic terminology to write a height correctly. The practical difference is simply that one version is more exact for polished typesetting.
Common keyboard marks: 5'2"
The straight apostrophe and quotation mark are easy to find and universally understood. They are a sensible choice for ordinary digital writing.
Measurement marks: 5′ 2″
The single-prime and double-prime marks are the traditional symbols for feet and inches. Use them in polished layouts when your editor or style guide prefers precise typography.
How to type feet and inches quickly
For most people, the fastest answer is to type an apostrophe for feet and a quotation mark for inches: 5'2". Copy and paste 5′ 2″ if you need the formal symbols.
On a computer
Type 5'2" with the apostrophe key and Shift plus apostrophe for the quotation mark. Add spaces only if you are using ft and in.
On a phone
Open the numbers-and-symbols keyboard for ' and ". For prime symbols, press and hold a related punctuation mark if your keyboard offers it, or paste them.
For object dimensions
Use multiplication signs or clear separators: 5 ft × 2 ft, or 5′ × 2′. For a board, 2 ft 6 in is clearer than 2'6" when safety matters.
Keep these four rules in mind
- Do not write 5.2 ft to mean 5 feet 2 inches. It means five point two feet.
- Do not put the inch mark before the number; write 2 in or 2″, not ″2.
- Do not use a space in the compact form: write 5'2", not 5' 2".
- Use singular words only for one: 1 foot and 1 inch, but 2 feet and 2 inches.
Straight marks, prime symbols, and useful codes
The marks may look similar, but their names and uses differ. Use this quick comparison when preparing polished documents, web copy, or technical dimensions.
Straight vs curly marks
Straight keyboard marks: 5'2". Curly quotation marks: 5’2” are typographic quotes, not measurement symbols. True prime marks: 5′ 2″ are the precise feet-and-inches symbols.
Unicode code points
Prime ′ is U+2032 and double prime ″ is U+2033. They can be copied directly when your keyboard does not offer a convenient shortcut.
HTML entities
On the web, use ′ for ′ and ″ for ″. Numeric forms are ′ and ″.
Watch automatic substitutions
Word and Google Docs may turn straight quotes into curly quotes through smart-quote or autocorrect settings. Check the final character if exact measurement marks matter.
Use × for dimensions
For dimensions, separate measurements with the multiplication sign: 5 ft × 2 ft or 5′ × 2′. Keep the unit attached to each relevant number.
Feet and inches FAQ
Is 5'2" the correct way to write height?
Yes. It is a common and easily understood everyday format for five feet two inches. For more formal or technical writing, 5 ft 2 in is often even clearer.
Should there be a space between feet and inches symbols?
In the compact form, no: write 5'2". With precise prime symbols, a small space is often used for readability: 5′ 2″. With abbreviations, use spaces: 5 ft 2 in.
Does ft need a period?
Usually no. Modern technical and general usage typically writes ft and in without periods. Follow a specific school, employer, publisher, or construction style guide if one applies.