Metric System

Metric System is a standard way of measuring units like height, weight, length, volume, time, etc. This system is used worldwide for distinct calculations and research. Almost everything around us can be measured using a metric system. It is widely used in distinct fields like science, medicine, defense, etc. When we want to measure the area of a room or calculate the speed of a vehicle, a metric system is used.

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.

What is a Metric System?

Metric System is defined as a system of measurement. It is used for measuring units of an object. It helps 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 seven base units are:

• 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.

Origin of Metric System

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.

Metric system that we use was developed by France around 1799

Metric System Chart

The conversion chart of various unit is added below as,

Metric System Table

As we have already learned that the units of 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 weight of an object.

The commonly used measuring unit along with their purpose and sub units is 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 is useful while conversion of distinct units. It gives us relation between the units. For proper conversion of units, metric system chart is arranged from highest to lowest unit. In this chart, all the units are based on one base units and each unit is 10 times of its preceding unit. The base table of 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 length or height of on object. Length can also be used to determine 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 Metric 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 units of length is meter, capacity is liter, and weight is gram. Steps to convert one unit to another is 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 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 left of the base unit, each unit is 10 times greater of 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 smaller unit, we need to multiply it with respective relation. Few commonly used measurement relations are given below:

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

Metric System vs Imperial System

In mathematics, there are two commonly used system of measurements namely: Metric system and Imperial system. Metric system is accepted worldwide and much easier to adapt on the other hand Imperial system is followed in few countries like US, UK , Myanmar, etc. The key difference between both the system of measurement is described below:

Aspect	Metric System	Imperial System
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.

People Also Read:

• cm to m
• cm to mm
• m to ft
• cm to feet
• cm to inches
• cm to km
• List of Important SI Units of Measurement

Metric System 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

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.

FAQs on Metric System

What is Unit of Length in Metric System?

The basic unit of length in the metric system is the meters which is denoted by ‘m’. It is also the SI unit of length.

What Metric System does the US Use?

US uses the US customary system of measurement that consists of units like [miles, yards, feet, inches (for length)], [pounds, tons, ounces, (for Mass or weight)] and [gallons or quarts, pints, fluid ounces ( for Capacity or volume)].

What are the 7 metric systems?

The seven metric systems are,

• Meter(m)
• Kilogram(kg)
• Seconds(s)
• Kelvin(k)
• Ampere(a)
• Mole(M)
• Candela(Cd)

Which System of Measurement is followed in India?

India uses metric system of measurement which was adopted by the Indian Parliament in December 1956 and came in effect from 1 October 1958.

Who Invented Metric System?

The French were credited with the invention of Metric System.