3 Ways To Convert Within Metric Measurements - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Education and Communications
• Studying
• Mathematics
• Conversion Aids

How to Convert Within Metric Measurements Download Article Explore this Article methods Metric Cheat Sheet 1 Converting Through Multiplication and Division 2 Converting Through Decimal Movement Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Article Summary Co-authored by Joseph Quinones

Last Updated: October 20, 2023 Fact Checked

Download Article X

This article was co-authored by Joseph Quinones. Joseph Quinones is a Physics Teacher working at South Bronx Community Charter High School. Joseph specializes in astronomy and astrophysics and is interested in science education and science outreach, currently practicing ways to make physics accessible to more students with the goal of bringing more students of color into the STEM fields. He has experience working on Astrophysics research projects at the Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Joseph recieved his Bachelor's degree in Physics from Lehman College and his Masters in Physics Education from City College of New York (CCNY). He is also a member of a network called New York City Men Teach. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 752,651 times.

The metric system is a comprehensive system of measurements used in almost all of the world today, the only exception being that of the United States, who uses a different form of standard measurement. One of the biggest advantages that the metric system offers is that conversion between its units is simple, as its units scale by powers of 10. Because of this, converting within metric measurements is usually as easy as multiplying or dividing a given measurement by a power of 10 to find the new value, or, as a shortcut, simply moving its decimal point. Read on below the jump for detailed instructions.

Steps

Metric Cheat Sheet

Metric Conversion Cheat Sheet Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Converting Through Multiplication and Division

Download Article

1. 1 Learn the most common metric prefixes. The metric system has a variety of units of measurement - you have probably heard of meters (which measure distance) and grams (which measure mass), etc. These base units are sometimes either too small or too large to make practical measurements. In these cases, it's necessary to use units that differ from the base units by a power of 10 - in other words, measurements that are 10 times larger or smaller, 100 times larger or smaller, and so on. In these cases, we add prefixes to the name of the unit to signify how much bigger or smaller it is than the base unit.[1] The most common of these prefixes, from "1,000 times larger" to "1,000 times smaller," are:
   • Kilo - 1,000 times larger
   • Hecto - 100 times larger
   • Deca - 10 times larger
   • Deci - 10 times smaller
   • Centi - 100 times smaller
   • Milli - 1,000 times smaller
   • A handy trick for remembering the basic metric prefixes is the mnemonic "King Henry Died Until Drinking Chocolate Milk," (or, if you prefer, "King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk"). The first letter of each word corresponds to a basic metric prefix, in order of largest to smallest, except for the "U" in "Until", which corresponds to "unit," or the metric base units (meter, liter, etc.)
2. 2 List the prefixes on a line. If you're unfamiliar with metric units, it can be helpful to list the metric prefixes on a line in order of largest to smallest. Put "Kilo" at the far left end of the line and "Milli" at the far right end. In the middle of the scale, between "Deca" and "Deci," put the base unit of the dimension you're measuring. In other words, if you're measuring distance, write "meter," if you're measuring volume, write "liter," and so on. This line gives you a simple visual reference for how your units relate - whether the units you want are larger or smaller than the units you have, and how much larger or smaller they are. Advertisement
3. 3 Determine whether the units you want are larger or smaller than the units you have. Look at your line of prefixes. Find the prefix that corresponds with the units you took your initial measurement in. Next, find your desired units. Are they to the right or to the left of your initial units? If they are to the right, you are converting from a larger unit into a smaller one. If they are to the left, you are going from a smaller unit to a larger one.[2]
   • For example, let's say that we want to know how long a 10-kilometer race is in centimeters. On our line of prefixes, we would see that "centi" is to the right of "kilo". Since our desired units are to the right of our initial units, we know we're converting from a large unit into a smaller unit.
4. 4 Determine the numerical relationship between the units you have and the units you want. Metric units of measurement differ by powers of 10 - 10, 100, 1,000, and so on. Thus, converting from one metric unit to another is always accomplished by multiplying or dividing your initial measurement by the appropriate power of ten. Look at the arrow you've drawn from the units you have - the units your measurement has been taken in - to the units you want to convert to. The number of spaces under your arrow gives the power of ten by which your two units are related.[3]
   • For instance, in our 10-kilometer race example, we see that our arrow from "kilo" to "centi" jumps over five spaces. This means that kilometers and centimeters differ by a conversion factor of five powers of ten, also written as ten to the fifth power, 105, or 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 100,000. In other words, centimeters are 100,000 times (or 105, etc.) times smaller than kilometers. Thus, you know that there are 100,000 centimeters in 1 kilometer.
5. 5 For "large to small" conversions, multiply by the appropriate power of ten. Converting from a large unit to a smaller unit means you should multiply your original measurement by the amount that its units differ from the desired final units. Remember that this number should be a power of ten given by the number of spaces under the arrow you drew in the steps above.[4]
   • Sometimes, especially in schoolwork, it's not enough to simply give the correct number. You'll also be asked to show how you converted your initial unit label to its final form. In simple conversions like we're dealing with here, just label the units of your initial measurement as you normally would, then label your conversion factor with the fraction (desired units)/(units of your initial measurement). The units in the denominator will cancel with the units of your initial measurement, leaving your answer in terms of your desired units.
   • In our 10-kilometer race example, we would simply multiply 10 (our initial measurement in kilometers) by 105 (or 100,000 - the number of centimeters in a kilometer). See below:
     • 10 km × 105 cm/km =
     • 10 km × 100,000 cm/km =
     • = 1,000,000 cm. There are 1,000,000 centimeters in our 10 kilometer race.
6. 6 For "small to large" conversions, divide by the appropriate power of ten.[5] Converting from a small unit to a larger unit is essentially the opposite process as the reverse - instead of multiplying, you'll need to divide. Take your initial measurement and divide it by the amount that its units differ from the desired final units - again, this should be a power of ten.[6]
   • Alternatively, you can multiply by the inverse power of ten to get the same results. For example, rather than dividing your measurement by 103, you would multiply it by 10-3. Both operations are valid and will give the same answer.
   • Let's do an example problem. Let's say we want to covert 360 centimeters to decameters. Since "centi" and "deca" are three spaces apart on the line of prefixes, we know that decameters are 103 times larger than centimeters. We would convert by dividing as follows:
     • 360 cm / (103 cm/dam) =
     • 360 cm / (1,000 cm/dam) =
     • = 0.36 dam. 360 centimeters make 0.36 decameters.
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Converting Through Decimal Movement

Download Article

1. 1 Determine the direction and size of the conversion. This quick method will allow you to simply and easily convert between metric units without having to perform any multiplication or division. To begin, all you need to know is whether you're converting from a small unit to a larger unit or vice versa, as well as the size of the conversion you're making - in other words, whether your desired units differ from your initial units by 101, 102, etc.[7]
   • Both of these can be determined by counting spaces and/or drawing an arrow on a line of the metric prefixes. For example, if we want to convert from kilometers to decameters, we know that we're converting from a large unit to a small unit because we have to travel to the right along the line to get from "kilo" to "deca," and we know that decameters are 102 times smaller than kilometers because "kilo" and "deca" are separated by two spaces.
2. 2 Move the decimal point in your measurement. Since two metric units always differ from each other by some multiple of ten, it's possible to make metric conversions simply by shifting your initial number's decimal point. When converting from a large unit to a smaller unit, shift the decimal point one digit to the right for each power of ten that your desired units differ from your initial units. When converting from a small unit to a larger unit, move the decimal place to the left. Remember that the power of ten by which your desired units differ from your initial units is given by the number of spaces apart the two units are on the line of prefixes.[8]
   • For example, let's say that we want to convert 1 kilometer into centimeters. Since we can tell from the line of prefixes that centimeters are 105 times smaller than kilometers, we move the decimal point in "1" five spaces to the right. See below:
     • 1.0
     • 10.0
     • 100.0
     • 1,000.0
     • 10,000.0
     • 100,000.0. There are 100,000.0. centimeters in 1 kilometer.
   • You may also do the reverse - move a number's decimal to the left to convert to a larger unit.
3. 3 Add zeroes as necessary. When you move a number's decimal point, be sure to add zeroes for each space that you move the decimal point beyond the available digits. For instance, when converting 1 kilometer to centimeters, the decimal point is initially to the right of the number 1, as so: 1. Moving the decimal place to the right means you must insert a zero so that the number becomes 10.[9]
   • The same principal applies when moving a decimal point to the left - begin inserting zeroes when you move the decimal beyond the number's available digits. For instance, let's say we want to convert 1 millimeter into meters. Since meters are 103 times larger than millimeters, we would simply move the decimal three spaces to the left as below:
     • 1.0
     • 0.10
     • 0.010. Notice that we add a zero to the left of the 1.
     • 0.0010. We add another zero to get our final answer. There are 0.001 meters in 1 millimeter.
   • Only add zeroes if you run out of digits when moving the decimal point. Inserting superfluous zeroes into the middle of a number can make your answer incorrect.
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How do I convert centimeters into meters? Community Answer There are exactly 100 centimeters (cm) in 1 meter (m). Therefore, 30 meters equals 3000 centimeters, 25 centimeters equals 0.25 meters, etc. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 31 Helpful 54
• Question How do I convert ounces to grams? Donagan Top Answerer Multiply ounces by 28.35. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 38
• Question Do metric units differ by 10 from each other? Community Answer No, they are multiples of each other. Ten millimeters is a centimeter, a hundred centimeters is a meter, and a thousand meters is a kilometer. You can use these relationships to convert any number of one unit to the appropriate number of a larger or smaller unit Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 33

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

• There are abbreviations for each prefix and unit you can use to make it easier to write. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
• • Meter: m
  • Liter: L
  • Gram: g
  Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• • Kilo: k
  • Hecto: h
  • Deka: Da or Dka
  • Deci: d
  • Centi: c
  • Milli: m
  Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2

Show More Tips

Units

Show More Tips

Prefixes

Show More Tips Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• This could take up a bit of space if you have to do this on a test. Try not to take up too much space with this if you decide to use this method. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 3
• Do not use this method if you have other prefixes then those mentioned above, e.g. mega or micro. Thanks Helpful 26 Not Helpful 15
• Do not use this method if the unit is raised to a power, e.g. if you want to go from squared meter (m2) to squared centimeters (cm2). Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 11

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toUnderstand the Metric System How to Convert Units Easily How toConvert Units With Prefixes How toConvert Nanometers to Meters How toConvert Centimeters to Meters How toConvert cm to mm How toConvert Meters to Millimeters Conversion Factor for Grams to Kilograms (and Kilograms to Grams) How toMeasure Centimeters How to Use a Ruler to Measure in Millimeters (Plus Estimating Lengths) How to Use a Ruler: Standard & Metric How toConvert Millimeters to Inches How toMeasure Length How toConvert Inches to Millimeters Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about teaching, check out our in-depth interview with Joseph Quinones.

References

1. ↑ https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures/metric-si-prefixes
2. ↑ http://www.mathnstuff.com/math/spoken/here/2class/110/milli/metric.htm
3. ↑ http://www.mathnstuff.com/math/spoken/here/2class/110/milli/metric.htm
4. ↑ https://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalMath/COURSE_TEXT_RESOURCE/U06_L2_T2_text_final.html
5. ↑ Joseph Quinones. Physics Teacher. Expert Interview
6. ↑ https://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalMath/COURSE_TEXT_RESOURCE/U06_L2_T2_text_final.html
7. ↑ https://www.purplemath.com/modules/metric.htm
8. ↑ https://www.alamo.edu/contentassets/190ff7d408364614b893b460c598e008/statistical/math0300-metric-units-of-length.pdf
9. ↑ https://opentextbc.ca/basickitchenandfoodservicemanagement/chapter/converting-within-the-metric-system/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Joseph Quinones Physics Teacher This article was co-authored by Joseph Quinones. Joseph Quinones is a Physics Teacher working at South Bronx Community Charter High School. Joseph specializes in astronomy and astrophysics and is interested in science education and science outreach, currently practicing ways to make physics accessible to more students with the goal of bringing more students of color into the STEM fields. He has experience working on Astrophysics research projects at the Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Joseph recieved his Bachelor's degree in Physics from Lehman College and his Masters in Physics Education from City College of New York (CCNY). He is also a member of a network called New York City Men Teach. This article has been viewed 752,651 times. 26 votes - 84% Co-authors: 61 Updated: October 20, 2023 Views: 752,651 Categories: Conversion Aids Article SummaryX

To convert within metric measurements, you’ll need to remember the prefixes for metric units. In order, these are kilo, hecto, deca, unit, deci, centi, and milli, where “unit” stands for the metric base unit, such as meter, liter, or gram. Write the prefixes down on a line, where kilo is the largest unit and milli is the smallest. To convert between the prefixes, find your starting point, then divide by 10 for every space you move to the left, or multiply by 10 for each unit you move to the right. For instance, 1 gram would be equal to 10 decigrams, 100 centigrams, or 1000 milligrams. Keep reading to learn a useful mnemonic to help you remember the order of the prefixes! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish German French Chinese Russian Dutch Indonesian Arabic Italian Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 752,651 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Anonymous

  Mar 18, 2018

  "Thank you, wikiHow! It helped my kid to learn the conversion of metric units in simple and in an understanding..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Joseph Quinones Physics Teacher Co-authors: 61 Updated: October 20, 2023 Views: 752,651 84% of readers found this article helpful. 26 votes - 84% Click a star to add your vote

Anonymous

Mar 18, 2018

"Thank you, wikiHow! It helped my kid to learn the conversion of metric units in simple and in an understanding..." more

Makayla Miles

Feb 20, 2019

"Thanks! I've been searching all day, and finally discovered that you have what I need. It makes so much sense...." more Rated this article:

Anonymous

Mar 12, 2018

"This helped me so much! Tomorrow I have a math exam and I am so worried about it. Thank you for sharing this..." more Rated this article:

Jessica A.

May 25, 2017

"This helped me remember all of the metric conversions. The sentence 'King Henry Doesn't Usually Drink..." more Rated this article:

Jennifer Mossor

Aug 30, 2017

"I was having trouble writing conversions and this helps a lot. Thank you!" Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

IQ Test For KidsTake QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizGeneral Knowledge QuizTake QuizIQ TestTake QuizAm I Smarter than a 5th Grader QuizTake QuizCognitive TestTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toUnderstand the Metric SystemHow to Convert Units EasilyHow toConvert Units With PrefixesHow toConvert Nanometers to Meters

Featured Articles

What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)

Trending Articles

What Song Was #1 On My Birthday?How Many People Had a Crush on Me This Year? Find Out HereBest Personality TestDo I Have Common Sense QuizDaily Horoscope (All Signs): What Do The Stars Predict Today?✩⟡˚₊‧Compatibility Test

Featured Articles

What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasHow toExercise Your BrainHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithWhat Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?

Featured Articles

How toDevelop Productive HabitsHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Your 2026 Vision: What Does Next Year Hold?Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Type A B C D Personality Test

Watch Articles

How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink (& Keep It Clean)How to Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick WaysHow toThicken Sauce with FlourHow to Brighten Up White Shirts and Other GarmentsHow to Cook White Rice without a Rice CookerHow to Clean Out the Inside of a Glass Bottle (With or Without a Brush)

Trending Articles

10 Ways to Get Rid of a Hickey FastWhat Am I Craving Quiz150 Unique & Sentimental Ways to Say “Happy New Year”30+ New Year’s Eve Games to Keep Your NYE Party GoingWhich Hogwarts House Do You Truly Belong In?Toxic Family Test

Quizzes & Games

Greek Alphabet QuizTake QuizAm I a Genius QuizTake QuizHow Many Digits of Pi Do I Know QuizTake QuizMusic Notes & Symbols TestTake QuizWorld History Trivia QuizTake QuizHow Much Do I Know About Space QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Education and Communications
• Studying
• Mathematics
• Conversion Aids

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --890