Metric Conversion Chart

The Metric Conversion Chart is an important tool for converting different metric units used in daily life, education, and science. It makes it easier to switch between SI units like meters, grams, and liters by using standard conversion formulas and values in a table format. Understanding the metric system is crucial for solving real-life math and science problems effectively.

 

Table of Contents 

 

What is a Metric Conversion Chart?

A Metric Conversion Chart is a visual or table that helps users convert values between different metric units. It is based on the metric system, the most commonly used system of measurement worldwide. The SI units, or International System of Units, form the basis of the metric system. These include base units for length (meter), mass (kilogram), time (second), and temperature (Kelvin/Celsius). 

A typical metric conversion chart includes:  

  • Conversion formulas  

  • Decimal relationships between units  

  • Symbols and unit abbreviations  

  • Clear conversion tables for quick reference  

 

Metric Conversion Chart for Length

Length tells us how long, tall, or wide something is. In the metric system, the base unit of length is the meter (m). Other units are formed by adding prefixes like milli-, centi-, kilo-, etc. The metric system is very easy to use because each unit is connected by powers of 10. Length is measured using SI units like meter (m), kilometers (km), and millimeters (mm). Here's a standard metric conversion chart for length:

 

Unit

Equivalent in Meters

1 kilometer (km)

1000 meters (m)

1 hectometer (hm)

100 meters (m)

1 decameter (dam)

10 meters (m)

1 meter (m)

1 meter (m)

1 decimeter (dm)

0.1 meter (m)

1 centimeter (cm)

0.01 meter (m)

1 millimeter (mm)

0.001 meter (m)

 

Conversion Formula Example:
To convert meters to centimeters, use the formula:
cm = m × 100

 

Metric Conversion Chart for Area

Area is the measure of the surface that a shape covers. It tells us how much space is inside the boundary of a flat, two-dimensional figure such as a rectangle, square, circle, or triangle. In the metric system, the base unit of area is the square meter (m²). Like length, area also uses prefixes such as milli-, centi-, kilo-, but since area is two-dimensional, the conversion involves squares of numbers.

 

Unit

Equivalent in m²

1 square kilometer (km²)

1,000,000 m²

1 hectare (ha)

10,000 m²

1 square meter (m²)

1 m²

1 square centimeter (cm²)

0.0001 m²

1 square millimeter (mm²)

0.000001 m²

 

Conversion Formula Example:
To convert hectares to square meters:
m² = ha × 10,000

 

Metric Conversion Chart for Volume

Volume measures the space occupied by an object. The metric system uses cubic meters (m³), liters (L), and their smaller units.

 

Unit

Equivalent in m³ or L

1 cubic meter (m³)

1000 liters (L)

1 liter (L)

0.001 m³

1 milliliter (mL)

0.000001 m³ or 0.001 L

 

Conversion Formula Example:
To convert liters to milliliters:
mL = L × 1000

 

Volume in Liquid Conversion Chart

For liquids, we use metric units like liter (L) and milliliter (mL). The metric conversion chart for liquid volume is important in cooking, science labs, and industries.

 

Unit

Equivalent

1 kiloliter (kL)

1000 liters (L)

1 hectoliter (hL)

100 liters (L)

1 decaliter (daL)

10 liters (L)

1 liter (L)

1 liter

1 deciliter (dL)

0.1 liter

1 centiliter (cL)

0.01 liter

1 milliliter (mL)

0.001 liter

 

Conversion Formula Example:
L = mL ÷ 1000

 

Metric Conversion Chart for Weight

Weight (or mass) is the measure of how heavy an object is. In the metric system, the base unit of mass is the gram (g). Other units are formed by using prefixes like milli-, centi-, kilo- etc. This system makes conversion simple because each unit is related by powers of 10. The base SI unit is the kilogram (kg).

 

Unit

Equivalent in grams (g)

1 tonne (t)

1,000,000 g

1 kilogram (kg)

1,000 g

1 hectogram (hg)

100 g

1 decagram (dag)

10 g

1 gram (g)

1 g

1 decigram (dg)

0.1 g

1 centigram (cg)

0.01 g

1 milligram (mg)

0.001 g

 

Conversion Formula Example:
To convert kg to mg:
mg = kg × 1,000,000

 

Metric Conversion Chart for Temperature

Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is. In science and daily life, we use different units of temperature. The metric system mainly uses Celsius (°C), but we often convert between Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K).

 

Conversion Type

Formula

Celsius to Kelvin

K = °C + 273.15

Kelvin to Celsius

°C = K - 273.15

Celsius to Fahrenheit

°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32

Fahrenheit to Celsius

°C = (°F − 32) × 5/9

 

Conversion Formula Example:
Convert 25°C to K:
K = 25 + 273.15 = 298.15 K

 

Metric Conversion Chart for Time

Time is not fully metric like length or mass, but in the metric system, we use seconds as the base unit of time. Larger and smaller units are created as multiples or fractions of a second. Apart from this, we also commonly use minutes, hours, and days for measuring time.

Time is mostly the same across systems, but here's how metric conversion works within standard units.

 

Unit

Equivalent

1 minute

60 seconds

1 hour

60 minutes = 3600 s

1 day

24 hours = 86,400 s

1 week

7 days

1 year

365 days (approx.)

 

Conversion Formula Example:
To convert hours to seconds:
seconds = hours × 3600

 

Solved Examples on Metric Conversion

Example 1: Convert 5 kilometers to meters
We know that 1 kilometer = 1000 meters.
So, to change kilometers into meters, we multiply the given number of kilometers by 1000.

Solution:
5 km = 5 × 1000 m
= 5000 meters

Therefore, 5 kilometers = 5000 meters.

 

Example 2: Convert 2000 milliliters to liters
We know that 1000 milliliters = 1 liter.
So, to change milliliters into liters, we divide the given milliliters by 1000.

Solution:
2000 mL = 2000 ÷ 1000 L
= 2 liters

Therefore, 2000 milliliters = 2 liters.

 

Example 3: Convert 37°C to Fahrenheit
The relation between Celsius and Fahrenheit is given by the formula:
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32

Now substitute 37°C into the formula.

Solution:
(37 × 9/5) + 32
= (37 × 1.8) + 32
= 66.6 + 32
= 98.6°F

Therefore, 37°C = 98.6°F.

 

Example 4: Convert 3 kilograms to grams
We know that 1 kilogram = 1000 grams.
So, to change kilograms into grams, we multiply the given kilograms by 1000.

Solution:
3 kg = 3 × 1000 g
= 3000 grams

Therefore, 3 kilograms = 3000 grams.

 

Practice Questions

  1. Convert 6 kilometers to meters.

  2. Convert 1.5 liters to milliliters.

  3. Convert 0.75 kg to milligrams.

  4. Convert 100 cm² to m².

  5. Convert 2500 mL to liters.

  6. Convert 40°C to Fahrenheit.

  7. Convert 5 hours to seconds.

  8. Convert 500 grams to kilograms.

  9. Convert 10 square meters to square centimeters.

  10. Convert 3.5 hectares to square meters.

 

Conclusion

A Metric Conversion Chart is a helpful tool that makes it easy to convert between metric units. Whether you are working with length, area, volume, weight, or temperature, knowing how to use a conversion table and apply conversion formulas is important. The metric system and SI units offer a consistent and logical way to measure and convert across the globe. Practicing examples and exercises can improve your confidence and accuracy in tackling real-world math and science problems.

 

Frequently Asked Questions on Metric Conversion

1. What is the metric system?

Answer: The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement used globally, based on units like meter, liter, and gram.

 

2. What are SI units?

Answer: SI units (Système International d'Unités) are the standard units in the metric system, such as meter (m), kilogram (kg), and second (s).

 

3. Why is a Metric Conversion Chart important?

Answer: A Metric Conversion Chart helps convert one unit into another easily, making it useful in science, education, engineering, and daily life.

 

4. What is the easiest way to convert metric units?

Answer: Use conversion formulas and a conversion table to multiply or divide by powers of 10, depending on the unit scale.

 

5. How do you convert area units in the metric system?

Answer: To convert area, multiply or divide by 10,000 when shifting between square meters and hectares or square kilometers.

 

Make conversions effortless with Orchids International School’s Metric Conversion Chart! 


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