The metric measurement that is equivalent to 39.37 inches is meter.
American weight and measures are based on units used in Britain prior to 1824, when imperial system was officially established. The US law of 1866 set a relationship with the metric system by defining the meter as equal to 39.37 in.
Since then all measures were redefined in terms of metric units with the last minimal adjustment in 1959. However the old standard of 1ft was retained with the name US survey foot.
If you need to convert from Imperial or US Standard units to Metric, or the other way around, see this Metric - US/Imperial Conversion Charts or use this Unit Converter.
The metric system is an international system of measurement that is based on powers of 10. To express a certain metric unit as a larger or smaller metric unit all that is required is to move the decimal point a proper number of places to the left or right.
Learn more about on how to work out units of measurement in the metric system on Csn.edu.