Have you ever tried following a recipe that uses grams or liters rather than cups or quarts? Or read furniture dimensions in centimeters when you are used to inches and feet? The variability between measurement systems can certainly cause frustration. This guide will provide you with an easy-to-use metric conversion chart to seamlessly switch between the metric system and US customary units.
A Quick History on Metrics
Before jumping into conversions, let‘s understand a brief history of the metric system. Developed in France in the 1790s amid the French Revolution, this decimal-based system was created to standardize measurements across the country. It was seen as much more intuitive than the patchwork of regional units being used at the time.
Through the 19th and 20th centuries, the adoption of this system, formally named the International System of Units (SI), increased substantially across Europe and then globally. However, countries like the United States still predominantly rely on Imperial units, leading to confusion when comparing measurements.
While metrics are used for certain quantification globally, having a handy chart makes conversions far simpler when they are required.
Why Are Conversion Charts Helpful?
As metrics become more commonly used in recipes, science, and even online shopping, easily converting to and from the system is key. Conversion charts provide quick references for translating measurements without needing to memorize them.
For example, our chart focuses on the everyday measurements of:
- Weight
- Length
- Volume
- Temperature
Rather than searching multiple charts, you have one place to reference metric conversions when:
- Following recipe instructions
- Measuring furniture and spaces
- Comparing weather reports
- And more
The simplicity of multiply or divide makes conversion effortless.
Let‘s Walk Through Converting Weight
To give you an idea of how user-friendly our chart is, let‘s convert a weight measurement:
Say your child has a science project requiring 0.5 kilograms of salt. But you only have pound measurements available. Here is what you would do:
- Locate kilograms on the metric side of the chart and pounds on the customary side
- Identify the conversion formula between them: * 0.4536
- Take the original metric weight (0.5 kg) and multiply it by 0.4536 to convert to pounds: 0.5 * 0.4536 = 1.134 pounds
So you would measure out just over 1 pound of salt.
Key Takeaways for Using Our Chart
Here are some key pointers to keep in mind:
- To convert to metric, multiply by the provided factor
- To convert from metric, divide by the given factor
- For converting temperature, first deduct 32 from Fahrenheit before multiplying by 5/9
- Use the metric and US customary headings to identify which units you have and which you need
And for your quick reference, common conversions include:
| US Customary | Metric | Conversion Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Pounds (lbs) | Kilograms (kg) | * 0.4536 |
| Quarts (qt) | Liters (L) | * 0.9464 |
Additional Questions on Metric Conversions
What temperature units does the metric system use?
The SI system uses Celsius (°C) for temperature measurement.
Why doesn‘t the US use metrics more extensively?
Early adoption of the Imperial system meant metrics had less relevance initially in the US. And changing embedded systems takes time. However, metrics are used more commonly today in recipes, science, medicine and even auto repair.
How many countries use the Imperial system still?
The US, Liberia, and Myanmar are the only three countries not primarily using the International System of Units.
I hope this gives you a helpful introduction to easily converting measurements between metric and US customary! Let me know if you have any other questions.
