METRIC UNITS & MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH | MASS | VOLUME | TIME | TEMPERATURE
DECIMALS in MEASUREMENT | |
Prefixes for units of length, volume, and mass in the metric system | |
Prefix | Multiply by |
milli- | 0.001 (1/1000) |
centi- | 0.01 (1/100) |
deci- | 0.1 (1/10) |
deka- | 10 |
hecto- | 100 |
kilo- | 1000 |
LENGTH |
The standard unit of length in the metric system is the meter |
1 millimeter = 0.001 meter |
1 centimeter = 0.01 meter |
1 decimeter = 0.1 meter |
1 kilometer = 1000 meters |
Abbreviations |
1 millimeter = 1 mm |
1 centimeter = 1 cm |
1 meter = 1 m |
1 decimeter = 1 dm |
1 kilometer = 1 km |
FOR REFERENCE: One meter is about half the height of a very tall adult. A centimeter is a little less than the diameter of a dime A millimeter is about the thickness of a dime. |
MASS |
The standard unit of mass in the metric system is the gram. |
1 milligram = 0.001 gram |
1 centigram = 0.01 gram |
1 decigram = 0.1 gram |
1 kilogram = 1000 grams |
Abbreviations |
1 milligram = 1 mg |
1 centigram = 1 cg |
1 decigram = 1 dg |
1 gram = 1 g |
1 kilogram = 1 kg |
FOR REFERENCE: A gram is about the mass of a paper clip. One kilogram is about the mass of a liter of water. |
VOLUME |
The standard unit of volume in the metric system is the liter. |
1 milliliter = 0.001 liter |
1 centiliter = 0.01 liter |
1 deciliter = 0.1 liter |
1 kiloliter = 1000 liters |
Abbreviations |
1 milliliter = 1 ml |
1 centiliter = 1 cl |
1 deciliter = 1 dl |
1 liter = 1 l |
1 kiloliter = 1 kl |
FOR REFERENCE: One liter = 1000 cubic centimeters in volume. One liter is slightly more than a quart. One teaspoon equals about 5 milliliters. |