# Metric Measurements: Units and Conversions URL: https://sciencestruck.com/math/metric-measurements-units-conversions Category: Math Published: 2007-10-12T01:45:00 Updated: 2007-10-12T01:45:00 Read this article to know more about the history of the metric system, and also to gain knowledge about the various types of metric measurements, along with their units and conversions. The metric system was devised by a French chemist called Lavoisier in the 18th century. This was done so that several systems of measurement, which were in use at that time found a unified and a universal platform. The primary motive behind this was to facilitate easier trade amongst various countries or regions, which used differing systems of measurement. The basis of this system was derived from nature itself. Water, for example, was used as one basis. 1 liter of water weighed 1 kg and measured 1 cubic decimeter. Water froze at zero degree Celsius, and boiled at hundred degree Celsius. The metric measurements are related to each other by the powers of 10. The commonly used prefixes for the various units under the metric system are ‘Hecto’ for hundred, ‘Kilo’ for thousand, ‘Deca’ for ten, ‘Deci’ for the tenth, ‘Centi’ for the hundredth, and ‘Milli’ for the thousandth. This system (called ‘Le Systeme International d’Unites’ or ‘SI’, for short) was officially recognized and adopted in October 1960 by almost all the countries in the world. Provided below are a few metric units and conversions for your easy reference: ### Metric Measurement System _Length_ 10 millimeters = 1 centimeter 10 centimeters = 1 decimeter 10 decimeter = 1 meter  10 meters = 1 decameter 10 decameters = 1 hectometer 10 hectometers = 1 kilometer 1000 millimeters = 1 meter 100 centimeters = 1 meter 1000 meters = 1 kilometer _Mass_ 1000 grams = 1 kilogram 1000 kilograms = 1 ton _Capacity_ 10 milliliters = 1 centiliter 10 centiliters = 1 deciliter 10 deciliters = 1 liter 1000 milliliters = 1 liter _Area_ 100 square millimeters = 1 square centimeter 100 square meters = 1 acre 100 acres = 1 hectare 100 hectares = 1 square kilometer 10000 square centimeters = 1 square meter 10000 square meters = 1 hectare 1000000 square meters = 1 square kilometer ### Imperial Measurements System Length 12 inches = 1 foot 3 feet = 1 yard 22 yards = 1 chain 10 chains = 1 furlong 8 furlongs = 1 mile 5280 feet = 1 mile 1760 yards = 1 mile _Mass_ 437.5 grains = 1 ounce 16 ounces = 1 pound 14 pounds = 1 stone 8 stones = 1 hundredweight 20 hundredweights = 1 ton _Capacity_ 20 fluid ounces = 1 pint 4 gills = 1 pint 2 pints = 1 quart 4 quarts = 1 gallon 8 pints = 1 gallon _Area_ 144 square inches = 1 square foot 9 square feet = 1 square yard 4840 square yards = 1 acre 640 acres = 1 square mile ### Conversion Formulae _Length_ 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters 1 foot = 0.3048 meters 1 mile = 1.6093 kilometers 1 centimeter = 0.3937 inch 1 meter = 3.2808 feet 1 kilometer = 0.62137 mile _Mass_ 1 ounce = 28.3495 grams 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds 1 gram = 0.0353 ounce _Capacity_ 1 gallon = 3.7853 liters 1 liter = 1.0567 quarts _Area_ 1 square foot = 929.0304 square centimeters 1 square meter = 1550.003 square inches An easy formula for temperature conversion is as follows: _From Fahrenheit to Celsius:_ Deduct 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, multiply the result by 5m and then divide that result by 9 to get the Celsius temperature. _From Celsius to Fahrenheit:_ Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9, divide the result by 5, and then add 32 to that result to get the Fahrenheit temperature.