The metric system of measurement is an internationally standardized system used to measure length, mass, volume, and other quantities. It is based on units of 10, making it simple to convert between different units by shifting decimal points. The metric system is widely used around the world for scientific, commercial, and everyday measurements. This system is also used worldwide for distinct calculations and research. It is also known as the International System of Units.
In this article, we will learn about the metric system, its units, metric system chart, and conversion in the metric system and others in detail.
Table of Content
System of Measurement
A system of measurement is a collection of standardized sets of units used to measure physical quantities like length, mass, volume, and time. There are many systems of measurement developed by different regions and cultures to meet various needs, but today, global standards like the metric system have emerged to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Some System of measurements are given below:
- Metric System (International System of Units - SI)
- Imperial System
- US Customary System
- CGS System (Centimeter-Gram-Second System)
Every system of measurement is developed to simplifying measurements across science, industry, and everyday life.
Also read: Different System of Units
What is a Metric System?
Metric System is defined as a system of measurement used for measuring physical properties of an object like determine length, distance, capacity, weight, volume, area, temperature, etc. It is a standard way of measuring most of our day-to-day things. For example, if we take a water bottle, we can measure the height of the bottle using centimeters, and its volume can be measured in liters.
Metric System of Measurement - SI Units
The metric system that we use is the same worldwide and therefore it is called the International system of units (or SI units), where all units are expressed in terms of seven base units.
These are seven base units:
- Meter(m) for Length
- Kilogram(kg) for Mass
- Second(s) for Time
- Ampere(A) for Electric Current
- Kelvin(K) for Temperature
- Mole(mol) for Amount of Substance
- Candela(Cd) for Luminous Intensity
With the help of these units, all kinds of measurements can be done. Also metric system is based on a decimal system as it includes numbers in power of 10.
Metric System Chart
The conversion chart of various units of Metric System is added below as,
Metric System of Measurements Table
As we have already learned the units of the metric system or SI unit of the system of measurement is based on the seven base units namely: meter, kilogram, seconds, kelvin, ampere, mole, and candela. These units also have their subunits and a defined purpose. For instance kilogram along with its sub-units (gram, milligram, etc.) is used to measure the weight of an object.
The commonly used measuring units along with their purpose and subunits are described below:
Purpose | Unit | Short form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Measurement of Length | kilometer | km | Distance between two cities can be measured in km. |
meter | m | Length of a cloth is measured in m. | |
centimeter | cm | Height of a child can be measured in cm. | |
millimeter | mm | Length of an eraser can be measured in mm. | |
Measurement of Capacity | kilolitres | kl | Capacity of a water tank can be measured in kl |
litres | l | Juice in a jug can be measured in l | |
milliliters | ml | A cough syrup can be measured in ml. | |
Weight Measurement | kilogram | kg | Weight of fruits and vegetables can be measured in kg. |
gram | g | A brick of butter can be measured in gm. | |
centigram | cg | A small metal paper clip can be measured in cg. | |
milligram | mg | Amount of salt used in a medicine is measured in mg. |
Metric System Prefixes
Metric System prefixes are arranged in a chart from increasing to decreasing order and are useful in the conversion of distinct units. It gives us the relation between the units. For proper conversion of units, the metric system chart is arranged from highest to lowest unit. In this chart, all the units are based on one base unit and each unit is 10 times of its preceding unit.
The base table of the metric system chart is given below:
kilo | hecta | Deca | unit | deci | centi | milli |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1000 | 100 | 10 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 | 1/1000 |
The metric system chart for different units like length, capacity, weight and time is given below:
Metric System of Length
Length is the most commonly used unit, it is used to measure the length or height of on object. Length can also be used to determine the the distance between two objects. The base unit of length is meter(m).
The metric system chart for length is given below:
| Kilometer (km) | Hectometer (hm) | Decameter (dam) | Meter (m) | Decimeter (dm) | Centimeter (cm) | Millimeter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 100 | 10 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 | 1/1000 |
Try our, Length Converter
Metric System Unit for Volume
Capacity or volume is the other commonly used unit, it is used to measure the capacity of an object i.e. the amount of substance an object can hold. This system is also known as the areMetric system of Volume. The base unit of volume is litre(l). The metric system chart for capacity is given below:
| Kiloliter (kl) | Hectoliter (hl) | Decaliter(dal) | Liter (l) | Deciliter (dl) | Centiliter (cl) | Milliliter(ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 100 | 10 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 | 1/1000 |
Metric System of Mass
Weight is also a commonly used unit, it is used to measure the mass of an object i.e. the measurement of how heavy an object is. This is also known as a Metric system of Mass. The base unit of weight is gram (g). The metric system chart for weight is given below:
| Kilogram (kg) | Hectogram (hg) | Decagram (dag) | Gram (g) | Decigram (dg) | Centigram (cg) | Milligram (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 100 | 10 | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 | 1/1000 |
Metric System of Time
Time is used to measure the duration of events or the interval between two consecutive events. The base unit of time is seconds (s). The relation between different units of time is described below:
1 minute | 60 seconds |
1 hour | 60 minutes |
1 day | 24 hours |
1 week | 7 days |
1 month | 30 or 31 days (except February) |
1 year | 365 days or 12 months |
1 decade | 10 years |
1 century | 100 years |
Metric Conversions
Metric conversion is used to determine the corresponding smaller or larger quantities of a given unit with the help of its base unit. The base unit of length is meter, capacity is liter, and weight is gram.
Steps to convert one unit to another are described below:
- Units to the right side of the base unit are smaller units as compared to the base. Each unit differs by 10 times of its preceding unit. When we move towards the right of the base unit, each unit is 10 times smaller or one-tenth of the unit to its left.
- Units to the left side of the base unit are larger units as compared to the base. Each unit differs by 10 times of its preceding unit. When we move towards the left of the base unit, each unit is 10 times greater than the unit to its left.
Therefore, while converting a smaller unit to a larger unit we need to divide it with respective relation and while converting a larger unit to a smaller unit, we need to multiply it with respective relation. A few commonly used measurement relations are given below:
Also Check: Metric Conversion Chart
Metric Length Conversions | |
|---|---|
1 cm = 10 mm | 1 mm = 0.1 cm |
1 m = 100 cm | 1 cm = 0.01 m |
1 m = 1000 mm | 1 mm = 0.001 m |
1 km = 1000 m | 1 m = 0.001 km |
Metric Volume (Capacity) Conversions | |
|---|---|
1 cl = 10 ml | 1 ml = 0.1 cl |
1 l = 100 cl | 1 cl = 0.01 l |
1 l = 1000 ml | 1 ml = 0.001 l |
1 kl = 1000 l | 1 l = 0.001 kl |
Metric Weight Conversions | |
|---|---|
1 cg = 10 mg | 1 mg = 0.1 cg |
1 g = 100 cg | 1 cg = 0.01 g |
1 g = 1000 mg | 1 mg = 0.001 g |
1 kg = 1000 g | 1 g = 0.001 kg |
Origin of Metric System of Measurement
The metric system was introduced by France in the late 18th century. The need for a metric system was realized during the French Revolution of 1789, after the revolution, the French citizens thought of having a uniform unit for measuring length and weight throughout the nation.
The new metric system was introduced to replace the old inconsistent and nonuniform system of measurement that was in use at that time. This system brings uniformity throughout the world and makes the measurement easy and simple. The system is entirely based on the decimal system. The National Assembly commanded the Paris Academy of Sciences, an Institute of France, to develop an entirely new system of units to measure distance, volume, weight, and time.
The metric system that we use is the official system of measurement for every country in the world except the three countries namely: the United States, Liberia and Myanmar (or Burma). The metric system used in US and the other two countries is known as Imperial System.
Note: Metric system that we use was developed by France around 1799
Difference between Metric System and Imperial Syytem
Aspect | Metric System of Measurement | Imperial System of Measurement |
|---|---|---|
Definition | It is system of measurement that uses meters, grams, seconds, etc. It is also known as international system of units and is used worldwide. | It is a system of measurement that uses units like pounds, inch, feet, yards, etc. It is used in countries like the US, Myanmar, Liberia, etc. |
Introduced by | This system was introduced by France in 1799. | This system was introduced by Britishers in 1826. |
Pattern | Metric units follow the decimal system i.e. it includes numbers in powers of 10. | No specific pattern is followed in the imperial units. |
Example of Units | meters, kilometers, grams, liters, kiloliters, etc. | yards, miles, inches, feet, ounces, pounds, quarts, etc. |
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Metric System Solved Examples
Example 1: Convert 244 centimeters into meters.
Solution:
We know that, 1 cm = 0.01 m
Thus, 244 cm = 244 x 0.01 m
244 cm = 2.44 m.
Hence, 244 cm is equivalent to 2.44 meters.
Example 2: Convert 6750 grams into kilograms.
Solution:
We know that, 1 gram = 0.001 kilogram
Thus, 6750 g = 6750 x 0.001 kg
6750 g = 6.750 kg
Hence, 6750 grams is equivalent to 6.750 kilogram or 6 kg 750g.
Example 3: Convert 24 liters 500 ml into ml.
Solution:
We know that 1 litre = 1000 ml
Thus, 24 litres = 24 x 1000 ml
24 litres = 24000 ml
Now by adding 500 ml to 24000 ml we get,
(24000 + 500) ml = 24500 ml
Hence, 24 litres 500 ml is equivalent to 24500 milliliters.
Use litre to millilitre converter to calculate more.
Example 4: Convert 2 hours into seconds.
Solution:
We know that 1 hour = 60 x 60 seconds
Thus, 2 hours = 2 x 60 x 60 seconds
2 hours = 7200 seconds
Hence, 2 hours is equivalent to 7200 seconds.
Practice Questions on Metric System of Measurements
Q1. Convert 2454 grams into kilograms and grams.
Q2. Convert 4300 litres into kilolitres.
Q3. Convert 4 km 50 m into m.
Q4. Meena bought a fabric of cloth of length 480 cm. Find the measurement of length in meters.
Q5. A water tank can hold 400 litres of water. Find the capacity of tank in millilitres.
Conclusion
The Metric System, born from the French Revolution, revolutionized global measurement with its uniformity and simplicity. Developed by the Paris Academy of Sciences, it's based on the decimal system, offering clarity and efficiency in quantifying distance, volume, weight, and time. While nearly universal, exceptions like the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar persist with their systems. Nevertheless, the Metric System remains vital for global trade and scientific progress, symbolizing unity and precision in measurement.