Usage patterns
〈数〉センチメートルa number of centimeters
This paper is 30 centimeters long.
〈物〉をセンチメートルで測るto measure something in centimeters
I measured the width of the desk in centimeters.
〈数〉をセンチメートルに直すto convert a number into centimeters
Please convert inches into centimeters.