Metric Conversion Factors 

The metric system is a standardized system of measurement used globally, renowned for its simplicity and scalability. It is based on units of ten, making conversions straightforward. Understanding metric conversion factors is essential for various applications, from everyday tasks to scientific research.

This lesson provides a concise yet comprehensive list of metric conversion factors across different measurement categories. By the end of this lesson, you'll be proficient in converting between metric units with ease.

1. Length in the Metric System of Measurement

Length is one of the most fundamental measurements in both daily life and scientific contexts. The metric system simplifies length measurements using base units and prefixes that denote multiples or fractions of these units.

Metric Length Units and Conversion Factors
Unit Symbol Equivalent
Kilometer km 1 km = 1,000 meters (m)
Hectometer hm 1 hm = 100 meters (m)
Decameter dam 1 dam = 10 meters (m)
Meter m Base unit for length
Decimeter dm 1 dm = 0.1 meters (m)
Centimeter cm 1 cm = 0.01 meters (m)
Millimeter mm 1 mm = 0.001 meters (m)

Understanding the Prefixes

  • Kilo- (k): Multiplies the base unit by 1,000.
  • Hecto- (h): Multiplies the base unit by 100.
  • Deca- (da): Multiplies the base unit by 10.
  • Deci- (d): Divides the base unit by 10.
  • Centi- (c): Divides the base unit by 100.
  • Milli- (m): Divides the base unit by 1,000.

Practical Examples

1. Converting Kilometers to Meters:

  • Problem: How many meters are in 5 kilometers?

Solution:

5 km × 1000 m km = 5000 m
  • Answer: 5,000 meters


2. Converting Centimeters to Meters:

  • Problem: Convert 250 centimeters to meters?

Solution:

250 cm × 0.01 m cm = 2.5 m
  • Answer: 2.5 meters

2. Area in the Metric System of Measurement

Area quantifies the extent of a two-dimensional surface. Metric area units are based on square measurements.

Metric Area Units and Conversion Factors
Unit Symbol Equivalent
Square Meter m² Base unit for area
Square Decimeter dm² 1 m² = 100 dm²
Square Centimeter cm² 1 m² = 10,000 cm²
Square Millimeter mm² 1 m² = 1,000,000 mm²
Hectare ha 1 ha = 10,000 m²

Understanding the Prefixes

  • Hectare (ha): Commonly used in measuring land areas.
  • Square Decimeter (dm²): Useful for smaller area measurements.
  • Square Centimeter (cm²): Often used in technical and engineering contexts.
  • Square Millimeter (mm²): Employed in precision measurements.

Practical Examples

1. Converting Kilometers to Meters:

  • Problem: How many meters are in 5 kilometers?

Solution:

50,000m2 ÷ 10,000 m2 ha = 5 ha
  • Answer: 5 hectares

2. Converting Square Centimeters to Square Meters:

  • Problem: How many meters are in 5 kilometers?

Solution:

500cm2 × 0.0001 m2 cm2 = 0.05m2
  • Answer: 0.05 square meters

3. Volume in the Metric System of Measurement

Volume measures the space an object occupies. In the metric system, volume is typically expressed in cubic units.

Metric Volume Units and Conversion Factors
Unit Symbol Equivalent
Cubic Meter m³ Base unit for volume
Cubic Decimeter dm³ 1 m³ = 1,000 dm³
Cubic Centimeter cm³ 1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³
Cubic Millimeter mm³ 1 m³ = 1,000,000,000 mm³

Understanding the Prefixes

  • Cubic Decimeter (dm³): Equivalent to a liter (L).
  • Cubic Centimeter (cm³): Also equivalent to a milliliter (mL).
  • Cubic Millimeter (mm³): Used in highly precise measurements, such as in engineering.

Practical Examples

1. Converting Cubic Meters to Cubic Centimeters:

  • Problem: How many cubic centimeters are in 2 cubic meters?

Solution:

2m3 × 1,000,000 cm3 m3 = 2,000,000cm3
  • Answer: 2,000,000 cubic centimeters

2. Converting Liters to Cubic Decimeters:

  • Problem: Convert 3 liters to cubic decimeters.

Solution: 3 L = 3 dm3

  • Answer: 3 cubic decimeters
Find right here on this page a concise list of metric conversion factors.

More Metric Conversion Factors

Capacity in the metric system of measurement:

1000 liters or 1000 L = 1 Kiloliter or 1 kL

1000 milliliters or 1000 mL = 1 liter or 1 L

Mass in the metric system of measurement:

1 kilogram or 1 kg = 1000 grams or 1000 g

1000 kilograms or 1000 kg = 1 metric ton or 1 t

1000 milligrams or 1 mg = 1 gram or 1 g

Time in the metric system of measurement:

60 seconds or 60 sec = 1 minute or 1 min

60 minutes or 60 min = 1 hour or 1 hr

24 hours or 24 hr = 1 day

365 days = 1 year

Temperature Degrees Celsius(°C)

0°C = freezing point of water

37°C = normal body temperature

100°C = boiling point of water

A Figure Summarizing the Metric Conversion Factors

Metric conversion factors

Conversion between metric units